Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers

Embark on a culinary journey with these mouthwatering honey garlic chicken skewers, featuring tender pieces of marinated chicken perfectly cooked on your BBQ or griddle. Their sweet and smoky flavor makes them an ideal choice for a light and utterly delicious summer dinner. Preparing them is surprisingly simple, yet the result is a dish that tastes incredibly gourmet.

There’s an undeniable magic that happens when the weather warms up, and the thought of firing up the grill fills the air. For many, it’s the official start of summer entertaining and relaxed outdoor meals. While I might leave the intricate art of BBQ management to my partner, Chris (and he does it exceptionally well!), my excitement centers purely around indulging in the incredible flavors that only outdoor cooking can deliver. From classic BBQ dishes to these irresistible chicken skewers, the season brings endless culinary delights.

Our household favorite, and quite possibly yours soon, is these incredible Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers. The blend of sweet honey and savory garlic, caramelized to perfection, creates an explosion of flavor that appeals to everyone. Even Lewis, our resident onion-avoider, happily devours the onions on these skewers because they become beautifully infused with the rich, sticky marinade. They are a testament to how simple ingredients, combined with a little love and grilling expertise, can create truly unforgettable meals. Forget store-bought kebabs; these homemade chicken skewers are in a league of their own, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and smokiness that will have your family and friends asking for more.

Why These Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers Are a Must-Try

These honey garlic chicken skewers aren’t just a recipe; they’re an experience. They embody everything you love about summer cooking: vibrant flavors, simple preparation, and the joy of eating outdoors. Here’s why they deserve a top spot on your menu:

• Unforgettable Flavor Profile: The star of the show is the harmonious blend of sweet honey and pungent garlic. When combined with soy sauce and a hint of ginger, it creates a marinade that penetrates deep into the chicken, tenderizing it and infusing it with layers of umami, sweetness, and a touch of warmth. Grilling adds that crucial smoky char, elevating the flavors to another level.
• Effortless Preparation: Don’t let the gourmet taste fool you – these skewers are incredibly easy to make. A quick marinade, simple assembly, and a short cooking time mean you can have a fantastic meal on the table without hours of fuss. They are perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend gatherings.
• Versatile Cooking Options: Whether you have a charcoal grill, a gas BBQ, or even just a griddle pan on your stovetop, these skewers cook beautifully. This versatility ensures you can enjoy them year-round, regardless of the weather outside.
• Customizable and Family-Friendly: The recipe is easily adaptable to different tastes. You can swap out vegetables, add a touch of spice, or even experiment with different proteins. Plus, kids love food on sticks, making these a hit with even the pickiest eaters. The onions and peppers, often a challenge for some, become deliciously sweet and tender when cooked in this marinade.
• Light and Healthy: Made with lean chicken breast and fresh vegetables, these skewers offer a balanced and nutritious meal. They are naturally gluten-free (if using tamari instead of soy sauce) and packed with protein and fiber, making them a guilt-free indulgence for a light summer dinner.

The Simple Ingredients for Maximum Flavor

Crafting these exceptional honey garlic chicken skewers begins with a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the incredible sweet, savory, and smoky profile that defines this dish.

Marinade Essentials: The Heart of the Flavor

The marinade is where all the magic truly begins. It tenderizes the chicken, infuses it with the signature honey-garlic taste, and helps achieve that beautiful caramelization on the grill.

• Vegetable Oil: This serves as the base of our marinade, helping to carry the flavors and prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill. A neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil is perfect as it won’t overpower the other ingredients.
• Sesame Oil: Just a tablespoon of sesame oil adds a rich, nutty, and distinctly Asian-inspired aroma that elevates the entire dish. It’s a powerhouse of flavor, so a little goes a long way.
• Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic is non-negotiable for its pungent, aromatic depth. We use two cloves, minced finely, to ensure its flavor is evenly distributed throughout the marinade and permeates every piece of chicken.
• Minced Ginger: Complementing the garlic, fresh minced ginger adds a wonderful warm, zesty, and slightly spicy kick. It brightens the overall flavor and adds complexity.
• Dark Soy Sauce: This provides the savory, umami backbone of the marinade, as well as a beautiful rich color that contributes to the appetizing look of the cooked skewers. For a gluten-free option, tamari can be used.
• Honey: The sweetness of honey balances the savory elements and, crucially, helps the chicken caramelize and get those delicious charred edges on the grill. It creates that irresistible sticky glaze.

Skewers & Veggies: Texture and Color

Beyond the marinade, the main components threaded onto your skewers contribute both flavor and essential texture.

• Chicken Breasts: Two boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 350g or 12.5 oz) are ideal. They should be chopped into uniform, bite-sized pieces, ensuring even cooking. You can also use chicken thighs for a slightly richer flavor and juicier texture.
• Red Bell Pepper: One red bell pepper, cut into large chunks, adds a vibrant pop of color, a refreshing sweetness, and a slight crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender chicken.
• Onion: One medium onion, peeled and sliced into square-like pieces, softens and sweetens as it cooks, absorbing the marinade’s flavors. As noted earlier, even those who typically shy away from onions will find them delicious on these skewers.
• Sesame Seeds: A tablespoon for garnish adds a delicate nutty crunch and a visual appeal.
• Coriander/Cilantro: A small bunch, roughly torn, provides a fresh, herbaceous finish that brightens the rich flavors of the skewers.

Crafting Your Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Achieving perfectly cooked, flavorful chicken skewers is a straightforward process when you follow these detailed steps. This guide will walk you through everything from marinating to grilling, ensuring a delicious result every time.

1. Prepare the Flavor-Packed Marinade

In a small bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients: vegetable oil, sesame oil, minced garlic, minced ginger, dark soy sauce, and honey. Whisk them together thoroughly until well combined. This ensures that all the flavors are evenly distributed and ready to infuse your chicken.

2. Marinate for Perfection

Place your bite-sized chicken pieces in a clean bowl. Pour three-quarters of the prepared marinade over the chicken, reserving the remaining quarter for basting during cooking. Gently toss the chicken to ensure every piece is fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld and the chicken to tenderize. For an even deeper flavor, you can marinate the chicken for up to a full day.

3. Assemble Your Skewers

If you’re using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes prior to assembly. This crucial step prevents them from burning on the grill. If you’re using metal skewers, no pre-soaking is needed. Once the chicken is marinated, begin threading the pieces onto your skewers, alternating with chunks of red bell pepper and onion. A good pattern is chicken, pepper, chicken, onion, and so on. Try to leave a tiny bit of space between each piece for even cooking. Discard any marinade left in the chicken bowl.

4. Grill or Griddle to Golden Perfection

Heat your BBQ or griddle to a smoking hot temperature. Carefully place the assembled skewers onto the hot surface. Cook for approximately 8-10 minutes, turning them 3-4 times throughout the cooking process. Halfway through cooking, brush the skewers generously with the reserved marinade. This adds an extra layer of flavor and helps create that beautiful, sticky glaze. Continue cooking until the chicken is golden brown, cooked through, and no longer pink in the middle. To be absolutely sure, you can slice into the largest piece of chicken to check for doneness.

5. The Final Touch

Once cooked, remove the skewers from the heat. Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds and fresh, roughly torn coriander/cilantro. This adds a delightful nutty crunch and a burst of fresh herbaceousness, completing the dish beautifully. Serve immediately with your favorite sides.

Delicious Pairings: What to Serve with Your Skewers

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Mastering the Art of Skewers: Expert Tips

To ensure your honey garlic chicken skewers are absolutely perfect every time, consider these expert tips that cover everything from skewer selection to checking for doneness.

Choosing the Right Skewers

The type of skewer you choose can impact your cooking experience and the final result.

• Wooden Skewers: These are widely available and budget-friendly. However, they are prone to burning, especially if directly over high heat. To prevent this, always soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes (preferably an hour) before threading your ingredients. This saturates the wood, making it less likely to char and snap during cooking.
• Metal Skewers: Metal skewers are reusable, durable, and conduct heat, which can actually help cook the meat more efficiently from the inside out. This can lead to slightly faster and more even cooking. However, be extremely cautious as metal skewers retain heat for a long time, making them very hot to handle even after removal from the grill. Always use heat-resistant gloves or tongs when working with hot metal skewers.

Consistent Cuts for Even Cooking

One of the most crucial elements for successful skewers is ensuring all your ingredients cook evenly.

• Uniform Size: Aim to cut your chicken into uniform, bite-sized pieces. Similarly, ensure your bell pepper and onion chunks are roughly the same size. This consistency means all pieces will cook through in approximately the same amount of time.
• Chicken Slightly Larger: Ideally, make your chicken pieces just slightly larger than your vegetable chunks. Chicken requires a bit more time to cook through completely than peppers and onions. If the chicken pieces are too small or the vegetables too large, the vegetables might char and become overcooked before the chicken is safely done.

The Importance of Spacing

It might be tempting to pack your skewers tightly, but a little space goes a long way.

• Allow for Airflow: Don’t overcrowd the meat and vegetables on your skewers. Leaving a tiny gap (about 1/8 to 1/4 inch) between each piece allows hot air to circulate freely around all surfaces.
• Even Charring and Cooking: This airflow and direct heat contact ensure that each piece gets a beautiful, even char and cooks thoroughly, preventing steamed or undercooked spots. Properly spaced ingredients contribute to both the texture and flavor of the final dish.

Ensuring Perfect Doneness

Food safety and delicious texture hinge on cooking your chicken to the right temperature.

• Visual Check: Always verify that the chicken is fully cooked by slicing into the largest piece on a skewer. It should be piping hot throughout and show no signs of pink in the middle.
• Meat Thermometer: For absolute precision and safety, use an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of a chicken piece; the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
• Troubleshooting: If you find that the chicken is still pink but the vegetables are starting to look overly charred, you can transfer the skewers to a hot oven (around 375°F/190°C), cover them loosely with foil (to prevent drying out), and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes. While this step is rarely necessary if the chicken is cut properly, it’s a good trick to have in your arsenal. I’ve only needed to do this once when I cut the chicken pieces too large!

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Watch how to make it:

More Fantastic Skewer & Kebab Recipes

If you love the ease and versatility of cooking on skewers, you’re in for a treat! The world of kebabs offers endless possibilities for delicious meals. Here are some of our other favorite skewer and kebab recipes that bring exciting flavors to your table:

• Mexican Chicken Skewers with Rice and Picante Salsa: Infused with vibrant Mexican spices, these chicken skewers are incredibly flavorful and perfect when served with fluffy rice and a zesty picante salsa.
• Thai Fish Cake Skewers: A unique and delightful option, these skewers feature aromatic Thai fish cakes, offering a taste of Southeast Asia with every bite. They’re light, fragrant, and utterly delicious.
• Easy Chicken Satay with Peanut Chilli Sauce: A classic for a reason! Tender chicken marinated in a rich satay sauce, grilled to perfection, and served with a luscious, spicy peanut dipping sauce.
• Greek Lamb Souvlaki Kebabs: Transport yourself to the Mediterranean with these succulent lamb skewers, seasoned with traditional Greek herbs and spices. Perfect with a squeeze of lemon and a side of tzatziki.
• Chicken Tikka Masala: While not strictly a skewer recipe in its traditional form, the chicken tikka component can be grilled on skewers for an exceptional twist. As Chris proved on the BBQ, chicken tikka cooked this way reaches “another level AMAZING” of smoky, spiced perfection!

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This post was first published in April 2016. Updated in May 2020 with new photos, video, and recipe tips.

Essential Tools for Skewer Success

Having the right equipment can make all the difference when preparing and cooking your honey garlic chicken skewers. Here are some indispensable tools that will elevate your grilling game:

Double Prong Skewer	Weber Kettle BBQ	Cast Iron Griddle

• Double Prong Skewers: These are fantastic for preventing food from spinning when you try to turn your skewers, ensuring all sides get evenly cooked and beautifully caramelized. They offer better stability for your chicken and vegetables.
• Weber Kettle BBQ: A classic choice for charcoal grilling, the Weber Kettle provides excellent heat control and imparts that distinct smoky flavor that is characteristic of authentic BBQ. It’s robust and reliable for outdoor cooking.
• Cast Iron Griddle: If you don’t have an outdoor grill or prefer to cook indoors, a cast iron griddle is an excellent alternative. It retains heat exceptionally well, creating a fantastic sear and char on your chicken and vegetables, mimicking many of the benefits of outdoor grilling.
• Long-Handled Tongs: Essential for safely turning skewers on a hot grill or griddle, keeping your hands away from the heat.
• Basting Brush: A silicone basting brush is perfect for applying the reserved marinade to your skewers during cooking, building up those layers of sweet and sticky glaze.
• Instant-Read Meat Thermometer: For peace of mind and perfectly cooked chicken every time, an instant-read thermometer is invaluable for checking internal temperatures.

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