Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers (Printable version)
Tender grilled chicken glazed with spicy honey garlic marinade, cooked to smoky perfection in minutes.
# What you'll need:
→ Chicken & Marinade
01 - 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs cut into 1½-inch cubes
02 - ¼ cup honey
03 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 5 garlic cloves minced
06 - 2 tablespoons hot chili sauce such as Sriracha
07 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
10 - 1 teaspoon salt
→ Garnish & Serving
11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
12 - Lime wedges
13 - Sesame seeds optional
# Directions:
01 - Whisk together honey, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, chili sauce, vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until fully incorporated.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade, toss to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for enhanced flavor penetration.
03 - If using wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent scorching.
04 - Thread marinated chicken onto skewers, shaking off excess marinade. Reserve remaining marinade for basting.
05 - Heat grill to medium-high temperature, approximately 400°F. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
06 - Grill skewers for 6-8 minutes, turning frequently and basting with reserved marinade, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and exterior shows light char marks.
07 - Remove skewers from grill, garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley, sesame seeds, and fresh lime juice. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The marinade creates this incredible sticky glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the grill while keeping the chicken juicy
- You can prep everything ahead and just grill when ready, making it perfect for stressfree entertaining
02 -
- Never reuse the leftover marinade as a sauce after it has touched raw chicken, only use it for basting during cooking
- Letting the skewers rest for just two minutes after grilling helps the juices redistribute so every bite stays incredibly moist
03 -
- Pat the chicken partially dry before threading onto skewers to encourage better charring and less steaming
- Brush the skewers with fresh honey during the last minute of grilling for an extra sticky glaze that sets beautifully