Honey-Glazed Bourbon Chicken Skewers
Tender chicken skewers marinated in a sweet honey and bourbon glaze, grilled to smoky perfection. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, bourbon whiskey, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 8 pieces wooden skewers
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey, 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper until well combined and slightly syrupy.
- Step 2: Cut 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes and add them to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for deeper flavor.
- Step 3: Soak 8 wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated chicken pieces evenly onto the skewers.
- Step 4: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill the chicken skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, basting occasionally with leftover marinade, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred at the edges.
- Step 5: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Glazed Bourbon Chicken Skewers take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Honey-Glazed Bourbon Chicken Skewers?
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 Honey-Glazed Bourbon Chicken Skewers?
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 Honey-Glazed Bourbon Chicken Skewers 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 Honey-Glazed Bourbon Chicken Skewers?
American bbq & smoked 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.
