Barbecue Chicken Skewers

5 from 1 vote

Make Barbecue Chicken Skewers with your own homemade Barbecue Sauce. The chicken is super tender due to the addition of bacon to the coating (Gluten Free)

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Resting Time1

Total Time1 30

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American, Grilling

Keyword: bacon, barbecue, chicken, gluten free, Grilled, Grilling, skewers

Servings:

Calories: 257kcal

Author: Carissa Serink

Equipment

Grilling skewers (if using bamboo skewers, make sure to soak them first)
Grill Tongs and Turner

Ingredients

Barbecue Sauce

1/2 cup ketchup
1 clove garlic minced or chopped
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon chipotle in adobo sauce
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Chicken

1 Tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 slices bacon chopped
1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into 1 inch chunks

Instructions

Barbecue Sauce

Stir together 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 clove garlic, 1 Tablespoon brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup, 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon chipotle in adobo sauce, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 7-10 minutes until thickened. (Partially cover with a lid to prevent splatters). Remove from heat and allow to cool. (Can be stored in the refrigerator for a week.) Transfer 1/4 cup of the sauce to a small bowl, and set the rest aside for serving.

Chicken

Add the chopped bacon to a small food processor or large spice grinder. Pulse bacon until it forms a smooth paste.
Mix 1 Tablespoon paprika, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika together in a large bowl. Add the bacon paste and mix well. Add chicken cubes and toss until the chicken is coated in the bacon paprika paste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours).
Thread the chicken cubes onto 3 or 4 large skewers (if you are using bamboo skewers, make sure you soak them in water for at least 15 minutes before adding the chicken to prevent burning).
Light grill and turn all burners to high for 15 minutes. Clean and oil grill. Turn burners to medium-high. Place chicken skewers on grill, and turn every 2-2 1/2 minutes until all sides are well browned (8-10 minutes total). Brush one side of the chicken with 2 Tablespoons of the barbecue sauce, and flip the skewers sauce side down. Cook until the sauce is browning, about 1 minute. Brush the remaining 2 Tablespoons of the barbecue sauce on the chicken, flip, and cook for another minute.
Remove skewers from grill and place on a platter and tent with foil. Rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve with additional barbecue sauce.

Nutrition