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Easy Honey Bourbon Glazed Chicken Skewers for Summer BBQ

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Sticky, smoky, and slightly boozy honey bourbon glazed chicken skewers that are perfect for summer BBQs. Quick to prepare with simple ingredients, these crowd-pleasing skewers come together in under an hour and are guaranteed to disappear from the platter.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1.5-inch chunks
  • 12 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
  • Optional: red bell pepper chunks, red onion wedges, pineapple chunks

Instructions

  1. Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, bourbon, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, smoked paprika, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside about 1/3 cup of this mixture in a small saucepan for the glaze.
  3. Place chicken chunks in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour remaining marinade over chicken, seal, and massage to coat evenly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but no more than 4 hours.
  4. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400°F to 450°F). Clean and oil the grates.
  5. Remove chicken from marinade and thread onto skewers, leaving space between pieces. If using vegetables, alternate with chicken.
  6. Grill skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F) and has nice grill marks.
  7. While grilling, bring reserved marinade to a simmer in the small saucepan. Let bubble gently for 3-4 minutes until thickened into a syrupy glaze.
  8. In the last 2 minutes of grilling, brush cooked glaze generously over skewers. Flip and glaze the other side. Let caramelize for 1 minute, then remove from grill.
  9. Let skewers rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and chopped fresh parsley or green onions if desired.

Notes

Don’t skip soaking wooden skewers to prevent burning. Pat chicken dry before marinating for better flavor absorption. Reserve glaze separately and boil before using to ensure food safety. Apply glaze only in the last 2 minutes of grilling to prevent burning. Let grill do the work—don’t flip too early. Taste marinade raw; it should be slightly too strong as flavors mellow during cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey bourbon chicken skewers, BBQ chicken skewers, summer grilling, grilled chicken skewers, honey bourbon glaze, easy chicken recipe, crowd-pleaser, backyard BBQ

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/easy-honey-bourbon-glazed-chicken-skewers-for-summer-bbq/