Print

Lighter Honey Bourbon BBQ Chicken Skewers

honey bourbon bbq chicken skewers - featured image
Print Recipe

These Lighter Honey Bourbon Glazed BBQ Chicken Skewers are sticky and caramelized on the outside, juicy on the inside, and make you feel like you’re indulging without the heavy, weighed-down feeling afterward. Quick and easy, they come together in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6–8 thighs)
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Wooden or metal skewers
  • Fresh chives or green onions, chopped (for serving)
  • Sesame seeds (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken (5 minutes): Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Trim off any excess fat. Cut each thigh into roughly 1.5-inch chunks.
  2. Make the Marinade (5 minutes): In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Add the chicken chunks and toss to coat. Let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes (or refrigerate up to 2 hours).
  3. Make the Glaze (5 minutes): In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey, bourbon, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne (if using). Whisk until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Let bubble for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and glossy. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. Skewer the Chicken (5 minutes): Thread the marinated chicken chunks onto skewers, leaving a tiny bit of space between each piece. This recipe makes about 6-8 skewers.
  5. Preheat the Grill (10 minutes): Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400-450°F). Clean and oil the grill grates well.
  6. Grill the Skewers (10-12 minutes): Place skewers on the hot grill. Cook for 5-6 minutes on the first side without moving. Flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes. During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking on each side, baste generously with the glaze. Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Rest and Serve (5 minutes): Transfer skewers to a clean platter. Let rest for 5 minutes. Brush with one last layer of glaze before serving. Sprinkle with fresh chives and sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

For a non-alcoholic version, replace bourbon with 2 tablespoons apple juice and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. If out of honey, maple syrup works. Don’t overcrowd skewers; leave space between pieces. Add glaze only during last few minutes to prevent burning. Use a thermometer for perfect doneness.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey bourbon chicken, BBQ chicken skewers, grilled chicken, easy chicken recipe, healthy BBQ, gluten-free chicken, dairy-free chicken

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/lighter-honey-bourbon-bbq-chicken-skewers-easy-recipe/