Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Chicken Skewers with Slaw
Juicy grilled chicken skewers brushed with a sweet bourbon glaze, served alongside a vibrant cabbage slaw. This american-inspired 4th of july ready in about 55 minutes pairs pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, bourbon whiskey, brown sugar 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 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup green cabbage, shredded
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1 medium carrot, grated
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 wooden skewers, soaked
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 3 minced garlic cloves; whisk until sugar dissolves to make the glaze.
- Step 2: Cut 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs into 1.5-inch chunks and toss in half the bourbon glaze; marinate covered in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Thread chicken pieces onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, then preheat a grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F).
- Step 4: Grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, brushing frequently with remaining bourbon glaze, until chicken is cooked through and caramelized.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss together 1 cup shredded red cabbage, 1 cup shredded green cabbage, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1 grated medium carrot, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until the slaw is evenly coated and vibrant.
- Step 6: Serve the bourbon-glazed chicken skewers hot with the colorful slaw on the side for a festive 4th of July meal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Chicken Skewers with Slaw take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (40 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Chicken Skewers with Slaw?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bourbon whiskey from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Chicken Skewers with Slaw?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Chicken Skewers with Slaw for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Chicken Skewers with Slaw?
American 4th of july like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
