Gather your crew and get ready to score big with these Spicy Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Skewers for Game Day! These sticky-sweet, boldly-flavored skewers are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer that will have your guests raving. Grilled to tender, juicy perfection and coated in a mouthwatering glaze, these chicken bites are the perfect way to fuel up before the big game.
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Skewers for Game Day
These Spicy Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Skewers are the ultimate game day treat! They’re bursting with irresistible flavor from the sweet-and-spicy honey garlic glaze. The tender, juicy chicken is grilled to perfection, making it the perfect handheld appetizer for your hungry crowd. Plus, the vibrant colors and skewered presentation make them a gorgeous addition to your game day spread. These crowd-pleasing bites are sure to be the MVP of your next watch party!
Ingredients
This simple recipe calls for just a handful of wholesome ingredients that pack a major flavor punch. You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken thighs, garlic, honey, soy sauce, Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce, and a few pantry spices. The combination of sweet, savory, and heat creates an addictively crave-worthy glaze that will have your guests reaching for more.
- 1 lb – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 cloves – Garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup – Honey
- 2 tbsp – Soy sauce
- 1-2 tbsp – Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce
Ingredient Substitutions
- Protein: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs (with a slightly different texture)
- Sweetener: Substitute agave or maple syrup for the honey (for a dietary-friendly swap)
How to Make Spicy Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Skewers for Game Day
Let’s get these game day skewers sizzling!
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized cubes. Thread the pieces onto metal or soaked wooden skewers. In a small saucepan, combine the garlic, honey, soy sauce, and hot sauce. Simmer the glaze until it thickens slightly, then let it cool.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates, then add the skewered chicken. Grill for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Once the chicken is grilled, brush it generously with the spicy honey garlic glaze. Continue grilling for 2-3 minutes, turning frequently, until the glaze is sticky and caramelized.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Transfer the glazed chicken skewers to a serving platter. Garnish with chopped scallions or parsley, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Marinate the Chicken: For extra flavor, try marinating the chicken in the glaze for 30 minutes before grilling.
- Bake Instead of Grill: You can also bake the skewers in the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, brushing with the glaze during the last 5 minutes.
- Serve a Crowd: Looking to feed a crowd? Double or triple the recipe and set up a DIY skewer bar with an assortment of dipping sauces and fun toppings like sesame seeds or crushed peanuts.
- Reduce the Heat: To make these skewers less spicy, start with just 1 tablespoon of Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce in the glaze.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: These Spicy Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Skewers pair well with grilled sides like corn on the cob, coleslaw, or loaded baked potato salad.
Storage: Leftover skewers will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer before serving.
Reheat: To restore the crispy, caramelized edges, reheat the skewers in the oven or air fryer before serving.
Make-Ahead: The chicken can be cubed and skewered up to 2 days in advance. The glaze can also be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Information
Each serving of these Spicy Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Skewers provides a balance of protein, carbs, and healthy fats to fuel your game day festivities. One skewer contains approximately 150 calories, 18g of protein, 8g of carbs, and 6g of fat.
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Protein: 18 g
- Carbs: 8 g
- Fat: 6 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make these skewers less spicy?
To tone down the heat, start with just 1 tablespoon of Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce in the glaze. You can also swap in a milder hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot. Serving the skewers with a cooling dipping sauce like ranch or yogurt-based dip can also help balance the spice.
Can I prep the skewers ahead of time?
Absolutely! The chicken can be cubed and skewered up to 2 days in advance. Store the prepped skewers in the fridge until ready to grill. The glaze can also be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 1 week.
What should I serve with these chicken skewers?
These Spicy Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Skewers are the perfect game day appetizer, but they also pair well with your favorite grilled sides like corn on the cob, coleslaw, or loaded baked potato salad. For a heartier meal, serve them over rice or with a fresh green salad.
Can I bake these instead of grilling?
Yes, you can bake these chicken skewers in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F and bake the skewers for 20-25 minutes, brushing with the glaze during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
How long will the leftovers keep?
Leftover Spicy Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Skewers will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer before serving to restore their crispy, caramelized edges.
Try These Next
- Honey Bbq Chicken Skewers With Pineapple
- Maple Glazed Bbq Chicken Skewers With Pineapple
- Maple Bourbon Bbq Glazed Chicken Skewers
Spicy Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Skewers for Game Day
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: 🔥 BBQ, Grilling & Smokehouse
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Spicy Honey Garlic BBQ Chicken Skewers are the perfect finger food for Game Day. Packed with flavor and easy to prepare, they are sure to be a hit!
Ingredients
– 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1/2 cup honey
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1 teaspoon black pepper
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– Skewers (soaked in water if wooden)
Instructions
1. 1. In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, sriracha, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.
2. 2. Add chicken pieces to the marinade and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
3. 3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. 4. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers, leaving a little space between each piece.
5. 5. Brush the grill grates with olive oil to prevent sticking.
6. 6. Grill the skewers for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks.
7. 7. Remove from the grill and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
– Serve with extra sriracha or your favorite dipping sauce.
– You can also add vegetables like bell peppers or onions to the skewers for added flavor and color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: chicken, BBQ, skewers, game day, spicy