Arlington-Style Barbecue Chicken Skewers

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-15 · Updated 2026-04-15

Tender chicken marinated in smoky barbecue sauce, grilled with colorful vegetables for a classic Texas meal. This american-inspired grilling ready in about 27 minutes pairs barbecue sauce, olive oil, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs, boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup, cut into 1-inch chunks red onion
• 1, cut into 1-inch chunks red bell pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1.5 lbs chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch cubes), 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; toss until evenly coated.
2. Step 2: Let marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature while preheating grill to medium-high (375°F).
3. Step 3: Thread marinated chicken, 1/2 cup red onion chunks, and 1 red bell pepper chunk onto skewers, alternating pieces for even cooking.
4. Step 4: Place skewers on grill grates and cook for 10-12 minutes, turning once halfway through, until chicken reaches 165°F and vegetables are tender with slight char.