Barbecued Bourbon Chicken Skewers
Summers and grilling go hand-in-hand which is why you need to try Barbecued Bourbon Chicken Skewers! They are easy to make and the flavor is wonderful!
These spice-rubbed chunks of chicken are skewered along with smoky bacon and red onions. After a nice char, brush on some bourbon-infused barbecue sauce, let them caramelize and you have mouthwatering grilled skewers to enjoy all summer long!
Begin by making the rub for the chicken pieces. It’s a handful of spices that you most likely have in your pantry.
Next, make the sauce by combining your favorite barbecue sauce with bourbon and soy sauce.
The skewers can easily be made ahead of time. Coat the chicken with the rub and thread it onto the skewers alternating with smoky bacon and red onion chunks. The bacon will infuse the chicken with a wonderful flavor and the fat in the bacon will help to keep the chicken moist.
If you’re not ready to grill the skewers, just cover them and set them in the fridge until you are ready.
Heat up a grill to medium-high, rub a little oil on the grill so that the skewers don’t stick and start grilling.
Grill the skewers, turning, frequently, for 8-10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked. Every grill is different so keep an eye on them.
Brush the barbecue sauce over the skewers and continue grilling and rotating the skewers for another 5-7 minutes, until they are beautifully caramelized and the bacon is slightly crisp.
Let them rest for a few minutes and then serve them with the remaining sauce. These will become a new favorite!!
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Barbecued Bourbon Chicken Skewers
Makes: 6 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 21 minutes
Total Time: 51 minutes
Ingredients
- 6 slices thick-cut smoky bacon, cut into 1-inch square pieces
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breast or skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 large red onion cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
For the Rub:
- 4 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp garlic salt
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup barbecue sauce we like Sweet Baby Ray’s
- 1 tbsp bourbon
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
Instructions
Heat gas grill to medium-high. Prepare the spice rub by combining all ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside. Combine barbecue sauce, bourbon and soy sauce in a small bowl. Stir well to combine. Set aside.
Cut chicken into 1-inch chunks and transfer to a medium-size bowl. Drizzle chicken with the olive oil and stir well. Sprinkle the rub over the chicken and toss to coat.
Thread (in a pattern) the bacon, chicken and red onion onto skewers, starting and ending with the bacon.
Spray the grill well and heat to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers for approximately 8-10 minutes, rotating every couple minutes or until lightly browned and chicken is cooked.
Brush with prepared sauce and grill another 5-7 minutes, rotating every few minutes, until the edges of the bacon are crisp and slightly charred. Remove to a clean platter, tent with foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Remove kebabs from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve, passing more barbecue sauce separately.
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