Sizzling Smoky Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Skewers Recipe

Succulent chicken takes on a smoky honey chipotle marinade that dances with vibrant flavors and bold spices.

Each tender piece promises a delightful culinary adventure straight from the grill.

The blend of sweet honey and smoky chipotle creates an irresistible glaze that caramelizes beautifully over open flames.

Marinading the chicken infuses deep, complex tastes that elevate this simple dish.

Charred edges and juicy centers make these skewers a crowd-pleaser for backyard gatherings and summer cookouts.

Perfectly balanced between heat and sweetness, this recipe transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary meal.

You’ll be amazed how a few simple ingredients can create such a mouthwatering masterpiece.

How to Make Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Skewers That Sizzle

• Create Flavor-Packed Marinade

Whip up a zesty blend mixing honey, olive oil, soy sauce, vinegar, chipotle peppers, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. This magical mixture will transform ordinary chicken into an explosive taste experience.

• Soak Chicken in Deliciousness

Drop chicken pieces into a sealed container, pour half the marinade over them, and let them chill in the refrigerator. Give the meat 30 minutes to 2 hours to soak up all those incredible flavors.

• Build Colorful Skewers

Slide chicken, bell peppers, and onions onto skewers, creating a vibrant rainbow of ingredients that will look as amazing as they’ll taste.

• Grill to Perfection

Fire up the grill to medium-high heat. Place skewers on the grates, rotating every few minutes and brushing with remaining marinade. Cook until chicken develops a beautiful char and reaches safe internal temperature.

• Plate and Enjoy

Allow skewers to rest briefly, then serve alongside fluffy rice, grilled vegetables, or a crisp salad. Watch everyone’s eyes light up with the first delicious bite.

Add Spice or Sweetness to Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers Easily

• Chipotle Chicken Skewer Secrets
• Double the marinade batch for extra flavor and to have enough for basting and dipping. Reserve half before adding raw chicken to prevent cross-contamination.
• Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning. Metal skewers work great too and conduct heat evenly.
• Replace rice with cauliflower rice or mixed greens for a lighter, keto-friendly meal. Zucchini noodles also make an excellent base.
• Adjust chipotle pepper amount to dial heat up or down. Replace with mild chili powder for a family-friendly version or add extra for heat lovers.
• Replace chicken with firm tofu, tempeh, or portobello mushrooms. Cut into similar-sized cubes and follow the same marinating and grilling technique for a plant-based alternative.

Ways to Present Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers at Any Gathering

• Flavor Fusion Platter: Pair skewers with cilantro-lime rice and drizzle extra marinade for an explosion of tangy-sweet flavors that complement the grilled chicken perfectly.
• Zesty Side Companions: Serve alongside a fresh cucumber-tomato salad or grilled corn with chili powder to balance the smoky chipotle heat and add refreshing textures.
• Picnic Perfect Spread: Pack these skewers for outdoor gatherings, wrapping them in foil to keep warm. They're ideal for summer barbecues and make excellent portable protein for potlucks and camping trips.
• Protein Powerhouse Meal: Create a complete meal by serving over mixed greens with avocado slices, adding extra protein and healthy fats that enhance the chicken's rich marinade profile.

Keep Your Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers Juicy After the Grill

• Keep marinated chicken in the refrigerator up to 24 hours before grilling to enhance deeper taste profiles and tenderize meat thoroughly.
• Transfer cooled skewers into airtight containers, refrigerate for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum taste and food safety when reheating gently.
• Create double batches of skewers, freeze uncooked marinated chicken in flat freezer bags for convenient future meals within 2 months.
• Slice remaining grilled chicken, toss into salads, wrap in tortillas, or mix with rice for delicious next-day lunch recreations.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 460 kcal

Servings: 4

Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Skewers – What You’ll Need to Begin

• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create caramelized exterior on chicken.
• Olive Oil: Helps distribute flavors and prevents chicken from sticking to grill.
• Soy Sauce: Provides deep umami flavor and helps tenderize meat.
• Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and helps break down chicken proteins.

• Chipotle: Delivers smoky heat with complex pepper character.
• Garlic: Brings robust, aromatic depth to the marinade.
• Cumin: Introduces warm, earthy undertones with subtle smokiness.
• Salt: Balances and amplifies overall taste profile.
• Black Pepper: Contributes gentle heat and subtle spiciness.

• Chicken: Choose boneless, skinless breasts or thighs for tender, quick-cooking meat.
• Bell Peppers: Select firm, vibrant peppers for color and sweet crunch.
• Onion: Provides sharp, caramelized notes when grilled and adds textural variety.

Grilling Tools That Work Best for Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers

• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking marinade ingredients together smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential for blending marinade ingredients without lumps.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements ensure balanced flavors.
• Zip-Top Bag or Large Bowl: Needed for marinating chicken effectively.
• Wooden or Metal Skewers: Critical for assembling chicken and vegetable kabobs.
• Grill or Grill Pan: Primary cooking surface for achieving smoky, charred chicken.
• Tongs: Crucial for safely turning skewers and handling hot meat.
• Meat Thermometer: Helps check chicken's internal temperature for safe cooking.
• Basting Brush: Used for applying reserved marinade during grilling.

Smoky Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Skewers Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Grilled honey chipotle chicken skewers deliver a spicy-sweet symphony that dances across taste buds. Smoky peppers and golden honey create a perfect Mexican-inspired marinade, promising a delicious journey for summer grill enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
• ¼ cup (60 ml) honey
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) soy sauce
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped into 1-inch chunks
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped into 1-inch chunks
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Skewers (soaked if wooden)

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Instructions

1. Marinade Fusion: Whisk honey, olive oil, soy sauce, vinegar, chipotle, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until harmoniously blended.
2. Flavor Infusion: Submerge chicken in half the marinade within a sealed container, allowing flavors to penetrate for 30-120 minutes in the refrigerator.
3. Skewer Composition: Artfully thread marinated chicken, vibrant bell peppers, and zesty onions onto skewers, creating a colorful alternating pattern.
4. Grilling Performance: Ignite grill to medium-high heat, lightly oil grates, and place skewers, rotating every few minutes while generously basting with reserved marinade. Grill until chicken achieves a beautiful char and reaches 165°F internal temperature, approximately 10-12 minutes.
5. Culinary Presentation: Allow skewers to rest briefly, then plate alongside complementary sides like fragrant rice, charred vegetables, or a crisp salad, creating a visually appealing and delectable meal.

Notes

• Aim for the full 2 hours to allow maximum flavor absorption, but avoid exceeding this to prevent meat from becoming mushy.
• Use separate marinades for raw chicken and basting to avoid bacterial risks, always discard the marinade that touched raw meat.
• Medium-high heat ensures beautiful caramelization without burning the honey-based marinade, which can quickly char.
• Alternate chicken, peppers, and onions evenly to guarantee uniform cooking and prevent smaller ingredients from overcooking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg