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BBQ Chicken Skewers (Kebabs)

These quick and flavor-packed BBQ Chicken Skewers are sweet, savory, saucy and the perfect grilling recipe for easy dinners and summer entertaining. Ready in under an hour, you can pair them with sides or use them to top a salad.
Course Appetizer, dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword barbecue chicken skewers, bbq chicken, bbq chicken skewers
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • Wooden or metal skewers

Ingredients

For the Homemade BBQ Sauce

  • 1 1/2 cups ketchup
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard or Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 dashes hot sauce

For the Chicken Skewers

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs cubed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Add all the BBQ sauce ingredients to a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  • Whisk until smooth and combined.
  • Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
  • Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and glossy. Set aside.

Prepare the Chicken Skewers

  • If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  • Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers.
  • Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F.
  • Grill the skewers for 10–12 minutes, turning every few minutes until the chicken is cooked through and lightly charred.
  • During the last few minutes of grilling, generously brush the chicken skewers with the homemade BBQ sauce.
  • Remove from the grill and brush with extra sauce before serving.

Video

Notes

Storage:
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the oven, or remove the chicken from the skewers and microwave in 30-second intervals until warm. They can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, too
  • Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, and rewarm as instructed above.
Tips:
  • These skewers are great for meal prep — marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead of time and store in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook and serve. You can also assemble the chicken skewers in advance and store in the fridge until it's time to serve.