Description
These flavorful Barbecue Skewers feature marinated chicken breast cubes grilled to perfection with a tantalizing blend of spices and a sweet-savory barbecue sauce coating. Perfect as a main dish for summer cookouts or a tasty weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For Grilling
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Start by cutting the chicken breast into evenly sized cubes, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in size, for uniform cooking.
- Combine Ingredients: Place the chicken cubes in a large mixing bowl. Add olive oil, soy sauce, honey, and brown sugar.
- Add Spices: Sprinkle paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper into the bowl.
- Finish the Marinade: Squeeze lemon juice over the mixture. Toss all ingredients well, ensuring each chicken piece is coated evenly.
- Marinate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, allowing the flavors to infuse the chicken.
- Prepare Skewers: While the chicken marinates, soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Preheat Grill: Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat to ensure it’s ready for cooking.
- Assemble Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto the soaked skewers, leaving a little space between pieces for even cooking.
- Apply Barbecue Sauce: Brush barbecue sauce over the chicken cubes on the skewers, coating all sides thoroughly.
- Grill Chicken: Place skewers on the grill. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is fully cooked.
- Baste While Grilling: Brush additional barbecue sauce onto the chicken during cooking for enhanced flavor.
- Rest and Serve: Remove skewers from the grill and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving. Enjoy with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Marinating time can be extended up to 2 hours for more intense flavor.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control the spice level.
- Barbecue sauce can be swapped for your favorite brand or homemade version.
