Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Skewers

Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Skewers are sweet, smoky, and spicy bites of juicy grilled chicken threaded on skewers and charred to perfection. With bold chipotle heat balanced by sticky honey, these skewers are a crowd-pleasing favorite for summer cookouts, weeknight dinners, or backyard parties.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These chicken skewers are packed with flavor—sweet from honey, spicy from chipotle peppers, and deeply savory from a bold marinade. They’re easy to prep, quick to cook, and perfect for the grill. Whether served on their own, over rice, or with a side of veggies, they’re versatile, satisfying, and a guaranteed hit. Plus, the marinade doubles as a glaze for extra flavor and shine.

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks
• Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• Honey
• Olive oil
• Garlic, minced
• Lime juice
• Salt and pepper
• Wooden or metal skewers
• Optional: fresh cilantro or lime wedges for garnish

directions

1. Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes if using.
2. In a blender or food processor, combine chipotle peppers, honey, olive oil, garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
3. Reserve a few tablespoons of the marinade for basting.
4. Place chicken pieces in a bowl or zip-top bag and pour the remaining marinade over them. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
5. Preheat grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates.
6. Thread marinated chicken pieces onto skewers.
7. Grill skewers for 1012 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with the reserved marinade during the last few minutes, until chicken is cooked through and slightly charred.
8. Garnish with chopped cilantro or a squeeze of lime and serve hot.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 4 servings.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Marinate time: 30 minutes to 4 hours
Cook time: 1012 minutes
Total time: Up to 1 hour (plus marinate time)

Variations

• Veggie Skewers: Add bell peppers, red onions, or zucchini between chicken pieces.
• Extra Heat: Add more chipotle peppers or a dash of cayenne to the marinade.
• Citrus Boost: Add orange juice or zest for a fruitier tang.
• Oven-Baked Option: Roast skewers in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for 2025 minutes, turning once.
• Sweet Swap: Use maple syrup or brown sugar in place of honey for a deeper sweetness.

storage/reheating

Store leftover chicken skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a skillet or oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. You can also remove the chicken from skewers and use it in salads, wraps, or tacos. Freezing is not recommended once grilled, but you can freeze the raw marinated chicken for up to 2 months.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs are juicier and work great with this marinade.

How spicy are these skewers?

They have a mild to moderate heat. You can adjust the spice level by using more or fewer chipotle peppers.

Can I grill these indoors?

Yes, use a grill pan or broiler to cook them if an outdoor grill isn’t available.

What sides go well with these?

Serve with rice, corn salad, grilled vegetables, or a fresh green salad.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can marinate the chicken ahead and assemble the skewers just before grilling.

What if I don’t have a blender?

Finely chop the chipotle peppers and whisk everything together by hand.

Can I use store-bought chipotle sauce?

You can, but adjust the amount to match your heat preference and skip the adobo peppers.

Do I need to soak wooden skewers?

Yes, soaking helps prevent them from burning on the grill.

Can I make this recipe without skewers?

Yes, simply grill the chicken pieces directly or use a grill basket.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, as long as your chipotle peppers and other ingredients are gluten-free, this dish is naturally gluten-free.

Conclusion

Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Skewers are a bold, flavorful twist on grilled chicken that combines smoky chipotle heat with sticky-sweet honey in every juicy bite. Perfect for weeknight dinners, summer barbecues, or party platters, this easy recipe is sure to become a go-to favorite for anyone who loves big flavor with minimal effort.

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