Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Skewers | Spicy-Sweet Summer BBQ Favorite
Juicy grilled chicken skewers glazed with a bold honey chipotle marinade. These honey chipotle grilled chicken skewers are smoky, spicy, and sweet—perfect for BBQs, meal prep, or weeknight dinners. Ready in just 30 minutes for a flavorful, crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1″ cubes
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo minced
- 2 tbsp adobo sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
- 8 –10 wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
- Prep & Marinate In a bowl, whisk honey, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, olive oil, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and lime juice. Add chicken cubes, toss to coat, and marinate 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Skewer the Chicken Thread chicken onto skewers, about 4–5 pieces each.
- Preheat Grill Heat grill to medium-high (~400°F). Brush grates with oil.
- Grill & Glaze Grill skewers 3–4 minutes per side. Brush with remaining marinade mid-cook. Grill another 1–2 minutes per side until cooked (165°F). Turn and glaze again.
- Rest & ServeLet rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with lime wedges and cilantro. Serve with rice, grilled veggies, or slaw.
Notes
Secret Tips for the Best Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Skewers
- Use fresh chicken breast or thighs — For the juiciest, most tender skewers, I recommend starting with high-quality chicken breast or boneless skinless thighs. Thighs will give you an even richer flavor and stay juicy on the grill.
- Marinate just long enough — Don’t over-marinate your honey chipotle grilled chicken skewers. About 15 to 30 minutes is ideal—this allows the bold flavors to penetrate without making the chicken mushy.
- Reserve some glaze — Set aside a portion of your honey chipotle marinade for chicken before adding it to the raw meat. Brush this reserved glaze over the skewers during the last minute of grilling for an irresistible sticky finish.
- Thread chicken loosely — When assembling your easy grilled chicken skewers, leave a little space between the chicken pieces so the heat circulates evenly and the edges caramelize perfectly.
- Adjust the heat level — Want a spicier kick? Add extra minced chipotle peppers or a dash of cayenne. Prefer it milder? Use a bit less adobo sauce and balance with extra honey for sweet and smoky chicken skewers that everyone can enjoy.
- Two-zone grilling — If you’re using a gas or charcoal grill, use a two-zone setup. Sear the honey chipotle chicken skewers over direct heat first to caramelize, then move to indirect heat to finish cooking without burning the glaze.
- Rest before serving — Let your grilled honey chipotle chicken rest for 3–5 minutes after grilling. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the skewers tender and flavorful.
- Serve with bright sides — These skewers pair beautifully with fresh sides that balance the smoky sweetness—think cilantro-lime rice, grilled veggies, or even grilled honey chipotle chicken tacos with slaw.
- Make extra for meal prep — These meal prep grilled chicken skewers store well and stay flavorful for 3–4 days in the fridge. Add them to salads, wraps, or grain bowls for quick high-protein meals throughout the week.
- Experiment with proteins — The honey chipotle marinade works great on shrimp, salmon, or even tofu for tasty variations beyond chicken. Try honey chipotle grilled shrimp skewers for a quick appetizer or light summer dish.