Spicy Honey BBQ Glazed Chicken Skewers

When you’re looking for a quick yet satisfying meal that delights the taste buds, this recipe hits the mark. The juicy chicken skewers, coated in a spicy honey barbecue glaze, offer a delightful contrast that will please even the pickiest eater. With a perfect blend of sweetness and heat, these skewers are not just a meal; they’re a flavor celebration. They’re perfect for grilling season, family gatherings, or a busy weeknight dinner when you want something a little special without the fuss.

Quick Answer

These Spicy Honey BBQ Glazed Chicken Skewers are delicious grilled chicken pieces assorted with colorful veggies, all glazed with a sweet and spicy sauce. They are perfect for families seeking quick, flavor-packed weeknight dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe brings together the irresistibly rich flavors of barbecue with a spicy twist, making every bite a delightful experience. The tender chicken and vibrant vegetables create a medley of textures that are both filling and enjoyable. It’s a flexibility lifeline for busy families, making it easy to whip up a crowd-pleaser or meal-prep for the week ahead.

• Flavor-packed glaze: Balances sweet and spicy for an exciting taste.
• Quick cooking time: Perfect for those busy evenings.
• Healthy ingredients: High in protein with fresh vegetables.
• Family-friendly: Appeals to adults and kids alike.
• Versatile: Easy to customize based on available ingredients.
• Meal prep hero: Great for easy lunch options or snacks.

What Makes This Recipe Special

This recipe stands out due to its layered textures and flavors. The tender chicken draws in the spicy glaze while grilled veggies add a satisfying crunch. The simplicity of preparation allows anyone to recreate it successfully, making it accessible for novice cooks while still impressing seasoned chefs. Plus, it evokes the warmth of summer barbecues and outdoor gatherings, adding a pinch of nostalgia with each delicious bite.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

• Grill or grill pan – Essential for giving that smoky flavor and char.
• Wooden skewers – Perfect for holding the chicken and veggies together.
• Mixing bowl – For marinating the chicken effectively.
• Whisk – Helps combine marinade ingredients smoothly.
• Small saucepan – Necessary for preparing the glaze.

Ingredients

water: Key for the glaze and marinating process.
corn starch: Thickens the glaze for a luscious texture.
brown sugar: Adds a caramel sweetness to the sauce.
honey: Enhances the sweetness and helps with glazing.
barbecue sauce: Provides a rich flavor base for the glaze.
minced garlic: Infuses the dish with aromatic depth.
crushed red pepper flakes: Delivers a spicy kick to the glaze.
boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders: The primary protein source, ensuring juiciness.
soy sauce: Adds umami and depth to the marinade.
olive oil: Keeps the chicken tender and moist during cooking.
salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
pepper: Provides a slight bite for balance.
medium zucchini: Adds a healthy veggie component.
yellow squash: Introduces mild sweetness and color.
medium red onion: Gives a robust flavor when grilled.
red bell pepper: Brings sweetness and crispness.
Ready to cook? Scroll to the recipe card below for exact measurements.

How to Make Spicy Honey BBQ Glazed Chicken Skewers

STEP 1. Prepare the chicken. Slice the chicken into 1 inch cubes and set aside.

STEP 2. Make the marinade. In a small glass baking dish, whisk together soy sauce, olive oil, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper.

STEP 3. Marinate the chicken. Place chicken in the dish and toss until coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

STEP 4. Soak the skewers. Soak 8 wooden skewers in water.

STEP 5. Preheat the grill. Preheat grill to medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).

STEP 6. Thread the skewer. Thread chicken, zucchini, squash, onion, and pepper onto the skewers.

STEP 7. Prepare the glaze. Mix 1/2 cup water with corn starch. In a saucepan, combine remaining water, brown sugar, honey, barbecue sauce, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to boil and cook for 10 minutes.

STEP 8. Thicken the glaze. Reduce heat and stir in cornstarch mixture until thickened.

STEP 9. Grill the skewers. Brush skewers with glaze and grill for 5-6 minutes, turning and brushing with remaining glaze until chicken is cooked through.

Why This Recipe Works

The recipe achieves a beautiful balance of textures, with the tender chicken offset by the crispness of grilled vegetables. The marinade softens the meat, ensuring it remains juicy during cooking. As the skewers grill, the sugars caramelize, creating a glossy finish that both enhances the presentation and elevates the taste. The spicy notes from the glaze complement the sweetness, rounding out the flavor profile and making every bite satisfying.

Pro Tips for Best Results

For optimum results, marinate the chicken overnight to deepen flavors. To enhance texture, use high heat when grilling for those delectable char marks. Consider adding additional vegetables like mushrooms or cherry tomatoes for variety. If you enjoy a spicy kick, boost the red pepper flakes in the glaze. Serve with a cooling yogurt-based dip or fresh salsa for a refreshing contrast.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake:

Not marinating the chicken long enough.

Why it happens:

Many think a short marination will suffice.

How to fix it:

Allow at least an hour, or ideally overnight, for best flavor.

Mistake:

Overcrowding the skewers.

Why it happens:

Packing too much on skewers leads to uneven cooking.

How to fix it:

Leave some space between each piece for proper heat circulation.

Mistake:

Not soaking the skewers.

Why it happens:

Some might skip this step thinking it’s unnecessary.

How to fix it:

Soak skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.

Recipe Variations

• Add different proteins such as shrimp or beef for variety.
• Use teriyaki sauce instead of barbecue for an Asian twist.
• Include more colorful bell peppers and seasonal vegetables.
• Grill the skewers indoors using a grill pan.
• Add spices like cumin or smoked paprika to the marinade for an extra layer of flavor.

Nutrition Highlights

How to Serve Spicy Honey BBQ Glazed Chicken Skewers

Serve these skewers with:

• Fresh green salad for a light meal.
• Rice or quinoa for added texture and heartiness.
• Grilled flatbreads or wraps for easy sandwiches.
• Sprinkling sesame seeds for extra crunch.

Best Occasions for This Recipe

These skewers are ideal for:

• Casual weeknight dinners with the family.
• Summer barbecues that impress guests.
• Meal prep for easy lunches throughout the week.
• Potlucks where something unique is appreciated.
• Celebratory gatherings or holidays.

Make Ahead & Storage

Can This Be Meal Prepped

Yes, these skewers are excellent for meal prep. Just marinate the chicken ahead of time.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing

Freeze marinated chicken skewers before cooking for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through, ensuring not to overcook to maintain texture.

Creative Ways to Use Leftovers

Transform leftovers into:

• Wraps with lettuce and dipping sauces.
• Grain bowls with quinoa or rice and your favorite toppings.
• Sandwiches with fresh veggies and spreads.
• Lunch boxes equipped with diverse flavors for the week.

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FAQs

How long should I marinate the chicken?
It’s best to marinate for at least 1 hour, but overnight is even better for more flavor.

Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, but ensure it’s completely thawed and patted dry before marinating for maximum flavor absorption.

What if I don’t have skewers?
You can grill the chicken and vegetables directly on the grill or use a grill basket if available.

How spicy is this recipe?
The spiciness can be adjusted by modifying the amount of crushed red pepper flakes in the glaze.

How do I know when the chicken is cooked?
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and no longer be pink inside.

Save This Recipe for Later

If you love this recipe, be sure to save it on Pinterest for quick access anytime! Don’t forget to share it with friends and family who might enjoy grilling up something fabulous!

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the combination of sweet and spicy that these skewers deliver, paired with juicy, tender chicken and fresh vegetables. Perfect for a busy weeknight or a festive gathering, this recipe encourages creativity and variety. Give it a try, and you might just find it becomes a staple at your dinner table!

Spicy Honey BBQ Glazed Chicken Skewers

These Skewers feature juicy chicken and colorful veggies glazed with a sweet and spicy sauce, perfect for quick and satisfying meals.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 270

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the marinade

• 1 cup water Key for the glaze and marinating process.
• 2 tablespoons corn starch Thickens the glaze for a luscious texture.
• 1/4 cup brown sugar Adds a caramel sweetness to the sauce.
• 1/4 cup honey Enhances the sweetness and helps with glazing.
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce Provides a rich flavor base for the glaze.
• 2 cloves minced garlic Infuses the dish with aromatic depth.
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Delivers a spicy kick to the glaze.

For the skewers

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders The primary protein source, ensuring juiciness.
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce Adds umami and depth to the marinade.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil Keeps the chicken tender and moist during cooking.
• 1 teaspoon salt Enhances the overall flavor.
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper Provides a slight bite for balance.
• 1 medium zucchini Adds a healthy veggie component.
• 1 medium yellow squash Introduces mild sweetness and color.
• 1 medium red onion Gives a robust flavor when grilled.
• 1 medium red bell pepper Brings sweetness and crispness.

Method

 

Preparation

1. Slice the chicken into 1 inch cubes and set aside.
2. In a small glass baking dish, whisk together soy sauce, olive oil, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Place chicken in the dish and toss until coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
4. Soak 8 wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.

Cooking

1. Preheat grill to medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Thread chicken, zucchini, squash, onion, and pepper onto the skewers.
3. Mix 1/2 cup water with corn starch. In a saucepan, combine remaining water, brown sugar, honey, barbecue sauce, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to boil and cook for 10 minutes.
4. Reduce heat and stir in cornstarch mixture until thickened.
5. Brush skewers with glaze and grill for 5-6 minutes, turning and brushing with remaining glaze until chicken is cooked through.

Notes

For best results, marinate chicken overnight. Use high heat for grilling for those desirable char marks. Consider adding extra vegetables like mushrooms or cherry tomatoes for variety.