These grilled BBQ chicken skewers are juicy, smoky, colorful, and packed with sweet and savory barbecue flavor. Tender pieces of chicken are seasoned, threaded onto skewers with colorful bell peppers and red onion, then grilled until lightly charred and finished with a glossy BBQ glaze.
They’re quick enough for a weeknight dinner and perfect for summer BBQs, backyard parties, game days, picnics, and family gatherings.
Why You’ll Love These BBQ Chicken Skewers
- Easy 30-minute dinner
- Juicy grilled chicken
- Smoky BBQ flavor
- Colorful vegetables
- Perfect summer recipe
- Great for backyard BBQs
- Family-friendly
- Easy to customize
- Great party food
- Simple ingredients
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 small red onion
For the BBQ Glaze
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
For Serving
- Fresh parsley or cilantro
- Lemon wedges
- Extra BBQ sauce
How to Make Grilled BBQ Chicken Skewers
1. Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
Cut them into approximately 1 1/2-inch bite-sized pieces.
Try to keep the pieces relatively similar in size so they cook evenly.
2. Season the Chicken
Add chicken pieces to a large bowl.
Add olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
3. Prepare the Vegetables
Wash the bell peppers and remove the seeds.
Cut them into pieces approximately the same size as the chicken.
Peel the red onion and cut it into chunky pieces.
4. Make the BBQ Glaze
Add BBQ sauce, honey, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and garlic powder to a small bowl.
Stir until smooth.
Set aside.
5. Prepare the Skewers
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling.
This helps prevent them from burning.
6. Thread the Chicken and Vegetables
Thread chicken, red pepper, yellow pepper, green pepper, and red onion onto the skewers.
Alternate the ingredients naturally.
Don’t pack them too tightly because the heat needs to circulate around the chicken.
7. Preheat the Grill
Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat.
Lightly oil the grill grates.
8. Grill the Skewers
Place the skewers on the hot grill.
Cook for approximately 10–14 minutes, turning every few minutes so they brown evenly.
9. Add the BBQ Glaze
During the final few minutes of grilling, brush the skewers generously with BBQ sauce.
Turn and brush again.
The sauce should caramelize slightly without burning.
10. Check the Chicken
Cook until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.
The outside should have attractive grill marks and lightly charred edges.
11. Rest
Transfer the skewers to a clean serving plate.
Allow them to rest for approximately 5 minutes.
12. Garnish
Sprinkle with fresh parsley or cilantro.
Add lemon wedges and extra BBQ sauce on the side.
13. Serve
Serve warm with your favorite BBQ side dishes.
Can I Use Chicken Thighs?
Absolutely.
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are especially juicy and flavorful.
They work very well on skewers.
Can I Use Chicken Breast?
Yes.
Chicken breast is lean and cooks quickly.
Cut it into evenly sized pieces and avoid overcooking.
Can I Use Rotisserie Chicken?
Not recommended for traditional grilled skewers because the chicken is already cooked.
For skewers, raw chicken pieces work best so they develop fresh grill marks and smoky flavor.
Can I Marinate the Chicken?
Absolutely.
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken for 30 minutes to 4 hours before grilling.
Avoid excessively long marinades if using a strongly acidic marinade because it can affect the chicken’s texture.
Easy BBQ Marinade
For a simple marinade, combine:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
Toss with the chicken and refrigerate before threading onto skewers.
Can I Use Store-Bought BBQ Sauce?
Absolutely.
Sweet, smoky, spicy, or tangy BBQ sauce all work.
Can I Use Homemade BBQ Sauce?
Yes.
Homemade sauce allows you to control the sweetness, acidity, and spice.
What Vegetables Work Best?
Excellent options include:
- Bell peppers
- Red onion
- Zucchini
- Yellow squash
- Mushrooms
- Cherry tomatoes
Can I Add Pineapple?
Absolutely.
Pineapple is excellent with BBQ chicken.
The natural sweetness caramelizes beautifully on the grill.
Can I Add Zucchini?
Yes.
Cut zucchini into thick pieces so it doesn’t become too soft.
Can I Add Mushrooms?
Absolutely.
Button or cremini mushrooms work well.
Can I Use Different Colored Peppers?
Yes.
Using red, yellow, and green peppers creates a beautiful colorful presentation.
Can I Make These Spicy?
Yes.
Add:
- Cayenne pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Hot BBQ sauce
- Jalapeños
- Chipotle powder
Can I Make Them Sweet and Spicy?
Absolutely.
Add honey to the BBQ sauce and combine it with a spicy hot sauce.
Can I Use Metal Skewers?
Yes.
Metal skewers are reusable and don’t need soaking.
Remember that they become extremely hot, so handle them carefully.
Should I Oil the Grill?
Lightly oil the grill grates before cooking to help prevent sticking.
How Do I Prevent Chicken From Drying Out?
- Don’t cut the chicken too small
- Avoid overcooking
- Keep the pieces relatively uniform
- Use chicken thighs for extra moisture
- Brush with BBQ sauce near the end
- Allow the chicken to rest after grilling
Why Is My BBQ Sauce Burning?
Most BBQ sauces contain sugar.
Adding the sauce too early can cause it to burn before the chicken is cooked.
Brush it on during the final few minutes.
Can I Make These in the Oven?
Yes.
Arrange the skewers on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at approximately 425°F until the chicken is cooked through.
Finish under the broiler for a lightly charred appearance.
Can I Make Them in an Air Fryer?
Yes.
Arrange the skewers in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.
Cook until the chicken is cooked through, turning halfway.
Brush with BBQ sauce toward the end.
Can I Make These on a Grill Pan?
Absolutely.
A stovetop grill pan works well when outdoor grilling isn’t possible.
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
You can cut and season the chicken and vegetables ahead of time.
Store them refrigerated and assemble the skewers shortly before grilling.
Can I Meal Prep These?
Yes.
Cooked chicken skewers can be refrigerated and reheated.
For best texture, keep the vegetables and chicken separately if meal prepping for several days.
How Long Do Grilled Chicken Skewers Last?
Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for approximately 3–4 days.
Can I Freeze Them?
Yes.
Freeze cooked chicken pieces separately from the vegetables for better texture.
What Should I Serve With BBQ Chicken Skewers?
Try:
- Coleslaw
- Corn on the cob
- Potato salad
- Pasta salad
- Baked beans
- Grilled vegetables
- Garlic bread
- Watermelon
- Fresh green salad
- Rice
Easy Grilled BBQ Chicken Skewer Variations
Honey BBQ Chicken Skewers
Add extra honey to the BBQ glaze for a sweet caramelized finish.
Spicy BBQ Chicken Skewers
Use spicy BBQ sauce with cayenne and jalapeños.
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Skewers
Add pineapple chunks and use a sweet Hawaiian-style BBQ sauce.
Bacon BBQ Chicken Skewers
Add partially cooked bacon pieces between the chicken and vegetables.
Garlic Herb Chicken Skewers
Use garlic, rosemary, oregano, and lemon instead of BBQ sauce.
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Replace the BBQ glaze with teriyaki sauce and add pineapple.
Fajita Chicken Skewers
Season the chicken with chili powder, cumin, paprika, and lime.
Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers
Combine BBQ sauce with honey and chipotle for smoky heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes. Boneless chicken thighs are especially juicy.
How long should I grill chicken skewers?
Generally about 10–14 minutes, turning regularly, but cooking time depends on the size of the pieces and grill temperature.
When should I add BBQ sauce?
During the final few minutes to prevent the sugar from burning.
Do wooden skewers need soaking?
Yes. Soak them in water for at least 30 minutes.
Can I use metal skewers?
Absolutely.
Can I add pineapple?
Yes. It pairs beautifully with BBQ chicken.
Can I make these in the oven?
Yes. Bake at approximately 425°F and finish under the broiler if desired.
Can I make them ahead?
Yes. Prepare the chicken and vegetables ahead and grill when ready.
Can I freeze them?
Yes, although fresh-grilled skewers have the best texture.
What vegetables work best?
Bell peppers, red onion, zucchini, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes are excellent.
Recipe Card
Grilled BBQ Chicken Skewers
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 29 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Lunch / Appetizer
Cuisine: American / BBQ
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 red onion
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Cut chicken into approximately 1 1/2-inch pieces.
- Season with olive oil and spices.
- Cut peppers and red onion into chunks.
- Mix BBQ sauce, honey, lemon juice, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Soak wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes if using.
- Thread chicken and vegetables onto skewers.
- Preheat grill to medium-high.
- Lightly oil the grill grates.
- Grill skewers for 10–14 minutes, turning regularly.
- Brush with BBQ glaze during the final few minutes.
- Cook until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.
- Rest for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with parsley or cilantro.
- Serve with lemon wedges and extra BBQ sauce.