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Easy BBQ Chicken Skewers

ByStephanie Wilson Posted on Updated on
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Summer gatherings are never more delicious or simple than with these quick BBQ chicken skewers. Tender and juicy, this delicious caramelized spiced rubbed chicken is simple to enjoy barbecue chicken in 30 minutes or less!

If you’re looking for more crowd-pleasing summer grilling ideas, don’t miss our popular Teriyaki Chicken Skewers—a reader favorite with a sweet-savory glaze—or these juicy grilled ribs recipe that are perfect for summer cookouts and 4th of July celebrations.

Three grilled chicken skewers with barbecue sauce are served on parchment with lime wedges, fresh herbs, a bowl of corn topped with cheese, and a striped napkin on a wooden tray.

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Why I Love BBQ Chicken Skewers

These chicken skewers are one of my favorite go-to grilling recipes. They’re incredibly simple, fast to make, and full of flavor—no marinating or advance prep needed. Everything can be homemade with pantry staples or simplified with store-bought sauces and rubs. They’re perfect for cookouts, parties, or weeknight dinners.

Key Ingredients

This recipe is flexible and comes together easily with homemade or store-bought ingredients:

  • Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • Chicken Rub: A simple mix of paprika, salt, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. You can also use your favorite Cajun blend or pre-made BBQ rub.
  • BBQ Sauce: A quick homemade sauce with ketchup, honey (or brown sugar), Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a bit of the rub. You can also use your favorite bottled BBQ sauce.

How to Make BBQ Chicken Skewers

Before you begin: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.

To Prep:

  1. Mix the Rub: Combine the dry rub ingredients. Set aside 1 teaspoon for the sauce.
  2. Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine ketchup, honey, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and the reserved rub. Heat through until warm and slightly thickened.
  3. Season the Chicken: Toss chicken pieces with the remaining rub and half of the BBQ sauce. Thread onto skewers.
Four skewers of marinated raw chicken are arranged on a white plate atop a white wooden surface, with a striped towel and green herbs partially visible at the edges.
Four skewers of marinated chicken are grilling on a barbecue, with the meat sizzling and slightly charred, set against the dark grill grates.

To Grill:

  • Preheat the grill to medium-high.
  • Grill the skewers, turning every 2–3 minutes, for 8–10 minutes total.
  • In the final 2 minutes, brush with BBQ sauce, rotating to caramelize all sides.

Alternate Cooking Methods:

  • Bake: 400°F for 20–30 minutes, turning occasionally. Brush with sauce in the final 5 minutes.
  • Broil: On a foil-lined pan, broil for 10–15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes. Brush with sauce and broil for another 1–2 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

These skewers pair beautifully with classic summer sides:

Tip: Serve on a platter with extra BBQ sauce and fresh herbs for a festive summer presentation.

Recipe Variations

  • Spicy Kick: Add cayenne pepper to the rub or use a spicy BBQ sauce.
  • Sweet & Smoky: Use smoked paprika and brown sugar in the rub.
  • Tropical Twist: Add pineapple chunks to the skewers between the chicken pieces.
  • Make it a Meal: Add bell peppers, onions, or zucchini directly onto the skewers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Thighs are juicy and flavorful—just be sure to trim and cut them into even pieces.

Can I make these skewers ahead of time?

Yes! You can prep the chicken and sauce up to a day ahead. Thread onto skewers just before cooking for the best texture.

What’s the best way to keep skewers from sticking to the grill?

Oil the grill grates or brush the skewers lightly with oil before grilling.

Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes, cooked or grilled skewers can be frozen for up to 2 months. Remove the skewers before freezing, and reheat in the oven or microwave.

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Three grilled chicken skewers on parchment paper with lime wedges, a bowl of barbecue sauce, and a bowl of seasoned corn on a wooden tray, garnished with fresh herbs.
Author: Stephanie Wilson

Easy BBQ Chicken Skewers

These easy BBQ Chicken Skewers are tender, juicy, and caramelized with a flavorful spice rub and homemade sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes—perfect for grilling season!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients 

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size chunks

Chicken Spice Rub

  • 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

BBQ Sauce

  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup honey (or 1/4 cup packed brown sugar)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • reserved chicken spice rub

Equipment

Instructions

  • If using wooden skewers, soak for at least 30 minutes in water before grilling or broiling.
  • Mix the Chicken Rub ingredients together in a small bowl. Reserve 1 teaspoon of the rub, this will be added to the BBQ sauce.
  • In a small saucepan, combine the ketchup, honey, dijon, Worcestershire sauce, and the reserved dry rub (1 teaspoon). Cook until the sauce is heated through.
  • Add cut-up chicken to a large bowl. Sprinkle the spice rub over the chicken and toss to coat evenly, then add 1/2 of the BBQ sauce and toss to coat—thread chicken pieces onto skewers and set aside. The reserved BBQ sauce will be added to the chicken in the last few minutes of grilling.

Grilling

  • Set your greased grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers, rotating every few minutes, until lightly charred and cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Brush the chicken with remaining barbecue sauce on all sides and continue to rotate and grill for 1-2 minutes more, or until nicely caramelized.

Alternate Cooking Methods

  • Bake at 400℉ for 20-30 minutes, turning frequently, until cooked through. Brush with remaining BBQ sauce during the last minute to caramelize. You can also broil the skewers on a foil-lined baking sheet, turning every 5 minutes, until cooked through, about 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken. Brush the chicken with remaining BBQ sauce and bake or broil 1-2 minutes more to caramelize.

Nutrition

Calories: 242kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 969mg | Potassium: 660mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 454IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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One Comment

  1. 5 stars
    These skewers are so easy and delicious with two layers of flavor— dry rub and BBQ sauce! They’re delicious, simple and perfect for a grill party!

    Reply
5 from 1 vote

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