Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers
Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers perfectly balance smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors with juicy, tender chicken. This easy-to-make grilled dish features a sticky glaze combining honey’s natural sweetness and chipotle’s smoky heat, making it ideal for casual cookouts, weeknight dinners, or special occasions.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes to overnight (depending on marinating time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken and Skewers
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized cubes
- Wooden or metal skewers (if wooden, soaked for 30 minutes)
Marinade
- 2–3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Prepare the Marinade: Combine chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, honey, minced garlic, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Whisk thoroughly until smooth to create a sticky, flavorful marinade that will deeply penetrate the chicken.
- Marinate the Chicken: Toss chicken cubes in the marinade until fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours, or overnight for best flavor and tenderness.
- Thread onto Skewers: Remove chicken from marinade and let excess drip off. Thread pieces onto soaked wooden or metal skewers, leaving small gaps between pieces for even cooking.
- Preheat Your Grill: Heat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking and achieve clean grill marks.
- Grill the Skewers: Place skewers on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side. Baste occasionally with leftover marinade or extra honey if desired. Grill until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and has beautiful caramelization.
- Serve Immediately: Remove skewers from grill and let rest briefly to lock in juices before serving.
Notes
- Marinate Longer for Depth: For intensified flavor and tenderness, marinate chicken overnight.
- Use Thigh Meat for Juiciness: Thighs remain moister than breasts when grilled.
- Don’t Overcrowd Skewers: Leave space between pieces to ensure even cooking and proper charring.
- Oil the Grill Grates: Prevent sticking and get signature sear marks with a well-oiled grill.
- Test for Doneness with a Thermometer: Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe 165°F internal temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 4 skewers)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Honey Chipotle, Chicken Skewers, Grilled Chicken, Spicy Chicken, Sweet and Smoky, BBQ Skewers, Gluten Free