Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the Chicken: First, pat your chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. This helps the marinade adhere better. Then, cut the chicken into uniform 1-inch cubes. Uniform pieces ensure even cooking for all your BBQ chicken skewers.
- Make the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. This creates the flavorful base for your chicken kebabs.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the cubed chicken to the marinade, ensuring every piece is well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours. For the best flavor in your BBQ chicken skewers, I recommend at least 2 hours. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill while the chicken marinates.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the chicken marinates, chop your bell peppers and red onion into 1-inch pieces, similar in size to your chicken cubes.
- Thread the Skewers: Now, thread the marinated chicken and prepared vegetables onto your soaked wooden or metal skewers, alternating chicken pieces with bell peppers and red onion. Try not to pack them too tightly; leave a little space for even cooking. This step is great for kids to help with!
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 375-400°F). Clean the grill grates thoroughly and lightly oil them to prevent sticking.
- Grill the BBQ Chicken Skewers: Place the chicken skewers on the preheated grill. Grill for 8-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. During the last 2-3 minutes of grilling, brush the BBQ chicken skewers generously with the remaining 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce. This creates that delicious, caramelized glaze.
- Rest and Serve: Once cooked, remove the grilled chicken skewers from the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring tender and juicy BBQ chicken skewers every time.
Notes
Pro Tips for Success:
* Soak Wooden Skewers: Don't skip this step! Soaking wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes (or even longer) before threading prevents them from charring and breaking on the hot grill. This is crucial for successful chicken kebabs.
* Cut Uniform Pieces: Consistency is key for even cooking. Cut your chicken and vegetables into roughly 1-inch pieces. If some pieces are much larger or smaller, they will cook at different rates, leading to some dry chicken or undercooked veggies.
* Don't Overcrowd: When threading your BBQ chicken skewers, leave a small gap between each piece of chicken and vegetable. This allows the heat to circulate evenly, ensuring everything cooks through and gets a beautiful char without steaming.
* Preheat Your Grill: Always preheat your grill to the correct temperature before adding your BBQ chicken skewers. A hot grill prevents sticking and helps create those desirable grill marks. Clean grates also make a huge difference.
* Oil the Grates: Even with a preheated grill, a little oil on the grates can be your best friend. Use a paper towel dipped in cooking oil (like vegetable or canola oil) and carefully wipe it over the hot grates with tongs. This creates a non-stick surface for your chicken skewers.
* Don't Overcook: Chicken can dry out quickly. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Chicken is safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Pull your BBQ chicken skewers off the grill as soon as they hit this temperature.
* Brush Sauce at the End: Apply the remaining BBQ sauce during the last few minutes of grilling. Sugar in BBQ sauce can burn easily, so adding it too early might lead to charred sauce rather than a beautiful glaze on your grilled chicken skewers. This final brush creates that sticky, finger-licking coating.
* Rest the Meat: Just like a good steak, chicken benefits from resting after it comes off the heat. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in much juicier and more tender BBQ chicken skewers.
Storage & Reheating Tips:
* Storage: Once your BBQ chicken skewers have cooled completely, remove the chicken and vegetables from the skewers. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked chicken and vegetables. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
* Reheating (Oven/Toaster Oven): My preferred method for reheating these grilled chicken skewers is in the oven or toaster oven. Preheat to 300-325°F. Place the chicken and vegetables on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil (to prevent drying), and heat for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. This helps keep the chicken moist.
* Reheating (Microwave): While quick, the microwave can sometimes dry out chicken. If using, place a small amount of chicken and veggies on a microwave-safe plate, add a tablespoon of water, and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
* Reheating (Skillet): You can also reheat the BBQ chicken skewers in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or chicken broth, stirring occasionally until hot. This method works well for chopped-up leftovers you might want to add to a salad or wrap.
FAQs:
* How do you keep chicken skewers from sticking to the grill? To prevent your BBQ chicken skewers from sticking, make sure your grill grates are clean. Preheat your grill to medium-high, then lightly oil the hot grates using a paper towel dipped in cooking oil held with tongs. Also, ensure your chicken pieces are cut uniformly and not too small, as smaller pieces are more prone to falling through the grates or sticking. Don't flip the chicken skewers too early; let them develop a nice sear before turning.
* Can I prepare the BBQ chicken skewers ahead of time? Absolutely! You can marinate the chicken for your BBQ chicken skewers in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours. You can also thread the marinated chicken and vegetables onto the skewers up to 2 hours before grilling. Store them covered in the refrigerator. This prep-ahead strategy makes these grilled chicken skewers ideal for entertaining or busy weeknights.
* What kind of chicken is best for BBQ skewers? Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a popular choice for BBQ chicken skewers because they cook quickly and remain lean. However, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are also excellent. Chicken thighs are naturally more forgiving and tend to stay juicier, even if slightly overcooked, making for incredibly tender chicken kebabs. Use whichever your family prefers!
* Can I bake these BBQ chicken skewers instead of grilling? Yes, you can! If grilling isn't an option, you can bake these BBQ chicken skewers in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the threaded skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Brush with the remaining BBQ sauce during the last 5 minutes of baking. These oven-baked chicken skewers are just as delicious!