Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers (Printable)

Tender grilled chicken cubes glazed with honey garlic and spicy chili, finished with fresh herbs and lime.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1½-inch cubes
02 - ¼ cup honey
03 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 5 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons hot chili sauce
07 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
10 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ Garnish & Serving

11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
12 - Lime wedges
13 - Sesame seeds

# How To Cook:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, chili sauce, vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight for maximum flavor.
03 - If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
04 - Thread marinated chicken onto skewers, shaking off excess marinade. Reserve any leftover marinade for basting.
05 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Oil the grates lightly.
06 - Grill chicken skewers for 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with reserved marinade, until cooked through and lightly charred.
07 - Transfer to a plate, sprinkle with cilantro or parsley, sesame seeds, and a squeeze of fresh lime. Serve hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The honey creates these gorgeous sticky caramelized bits that everyone fights over
  • Marinating overnight transforms ordinary chicken into something extraordinary
02 -
  • I once skipped soaking wooden skewers and watched them burn to ash while the chicken was still raw inside
  • Leaving space between pieces on the skewer helps everything cook evenly instead of having raw centers
03 -
  • Pat the chicken dry before threading to prevent steaming and encourage better charring
  • Let the skewers rest for a couple of minutes after grilling so the juices redistribute