These Hot Honey Chicken Skewers are sweet, spicy, savory & everything in between! Tender juicy chicken is coated in a smoky spice rub then grilled to perfection & brushed with a sticky homemade hot honey sauce + finished with fresh basil. They’re ready in 30 minutes + perfect for weeknights, BBQ’s & summer entertaining.
I already had a serious obsession with hot honey going on… but these Hot Honey Chicken Skewers have taken it to a whole new level. Sweet, spicy, sticky, smoky – this grilled chicken skewer recipe checks ALL the boxes!
One of my favorite things about these skewers is how ridiculously easy they are to make. Especially during the summer when it’s too hot to spend hours in the kitchen, I love tossing a few skewers on the grill and calling it dinner. The chicken is coated in a bold smoky spice blend then grilled until perfectly juicy with crispy charred edges. It’s then brushed with a warm homemade hot honey sauce that caramelizes into the most irresistible sweet-and-spicy glaze.
Finish them off with a handful of fresh basil for one finger-licking delicious grilled chicken recipe. Whether you’re looking for an easy summer dinner for busy weeknights or need something delicious for summer hosting, these hot honey chicken skewers definitely deserve a spot on your summer menu. Just be prepared – they’re guaranteed to dissappear fast!
The Ingredients
Chicken thighs: Boneless skinless chicken thighs work the best for this recipe. (They stay tender and juicy on the grill while providing so much flavor.) Make sure to cut them into similar sized pieces so they cook evenly.
Olive oil: Tossing the chicken with olive oil helps the spices to stick while keeping the chicken tender and moist while grilling. (It also prevents the skewers from sticking to the grill.)
Seasonings: A flavorful blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper gives the chicken a delicious smoky flavor. Ground cayenne is also used in the homemade hot honey sauce to give these chicken skewers their signature sweet-and-spicy kick. (You can easily adjust the amount of cayenne to make the sauce as mild or spicy as you’d like.)
Honey: The base of your homemade hot honey sauce! It creates a sticky sweet glaze that beautifully caramelizes over the grilled chicken.
Lemon juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon brightens the sauce with fresh citrus flavor and balances the sweetness of the honey.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds bold savory flavor to the homemade hot honey glaze.
Fresh basil: A sprinkle of freshly chopped basil adds a bright herbaceous finish that perfectly complements the sweet, smoky and spicy flavors.
How To Make Hot Honey Chicken Skewers
1. Preheat the grill. Preheat the grill (or grill pan) to medium-high heat (about 400 degrees) and lightly brush the grill grates with oil.
2. Make the hot honey sauce. Whisk the honey, lemon juice, grated garlic and cayenne together then set it aside.
3. Prep the skewers. Mix the spices together in a small bowl. Add the chicken pieces, olive oil and spice mixture to a larger bowl and mix until the chicken is fully coated. Thread the seasoned chicken onto smaller metal skewers (or wood skewers that have been soaked in water).
4. Grill. Once hot, place the skewers on the grill and grill for 3-4 minutes per side or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. During the last 1-2 minutes, brush the skewers with your hot honey sauce. (You’ll be serving the skewers with the remaining sauce so don’t use all of it for brushing!)
5. Garnish and serve. Remove the skewers from the grill and garnish with chopped basil. Serve them warm with extra hot honey sauce on the side.
Serving Suggestions
These hot honey chicken skewers are not only easy to make, but they’re incredibly versatile. They’re sweet, spicy and savory flavors make them so easy to pair with a variety of summer side dishes. Here are some delicious ways to round out the meal:
- Rice or grains: Serve them over fluffy white rice, cilantro lime rice, coconut rice or quinoa to soak up every bit of that sweet and spicy glaze.
- Grilled veggies: Pair them with grilled asparagus, zucchini, broccoli or corn on the cob for an easy summer dinner.
- Fresh salads: Balance the heat with a crisp cucumber salad, peach salad, avocado corn salad or a simple green salad tossed in a light lemon vinaigrette.
- Crispy potatoes: Crispy baby golden potatoes, roasted or airfried potatoes make a hearty side that complements the chicken’s sweet and spicy flavors.
- Wraps or bowls: Remove the chicken from the skewers and add them to wraps or your favorite grain bowls with an extra drizzle of the hot honey sauce.
- Extra toppings: Finish your grilled hot honey chicken skewers with more fresh basil, crumbled feta cheese, sliced green onion or a squeeze of lemon for an extra burst of flavor.
Storing & Reheating
To Store: Slide the chicken off the leftover skewers and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Store any leftover sauce in a separate air tight container in the fridge. The chicken and sauce should stay fresh for 3-4 days.
To Reheat: Reheat the chicken in the oven at 350 degrees for 5-8 minutes or until warmed through. (Alternatively, you can reheat them in the microwave at 30 second bursts until warmed to your liking.) I’ll usually reheat the sauce on the stove or in the microwave and drizzle some over the chicken after it’s warm.
Why you’ll love this hot honey chicken skewer recipe!
- Sweet, spicy & savory! The combo of juicy grilled chicken + sticky hot honey glaze + fresh basil creates the pefect balance of flavors. It’s the best sweet and spicy grilled chicken recipe!
- An easy weeknight dinner! These skewers come together with simple ingredients & are ready in right around 30 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights or easy summer meals.
- Incredibly versatile! Serve them with rice, grilled veggies or alongside your favorite summer salad for a delicious satisfying meal.
- Great for entertaining! These grilled chicken skewers are easy to make, fun to eat & perfect for summer cookouts, parties & family dinners.
More chicken recipes you might like:
- Grilled Balsamic Chicken with Burrata and Peaches
- Cilantro Orange Chicken Bites
- Hot Honey Chicken with Fresh Peach Salsa
- Honey Lime Grilled Chicken Thighs
[Made one of my recipes? Tag my Instagram @kalefornia_kravings & leave a review in the comments – I love seeing what you create!]
Easy Grilled Hot Honey Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
Fort he chicken skewers:
- 1½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch pieces (or chicken tenderloins)
- 1½ tsp olive oil
- 1½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ black pepper
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
For the hot honey sauce:
- ½ cup honey
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 large garlic clove, finely grated or minced
- ½ tsp ground cayenne*
Instructions
- Preheat the grill. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400 degrees) and lightly brush the grill grates with oil.
- Make the hot honey sauce. Whisk the honey, lemon juice, grated garlic and cayenne together then set it aside.
- Prep the skewers. Mix the spices together in a small bowl. Add the chicken pieces, olive oil and spice mixture to a larger bowl and mix until the chicken is fully coated.Thread the seasoned chicken onto smaller metal skewers (or wood skewers).
- Grill. Once hot, place the skewers on the grill and grill for 4-5 minutes per side or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.During the last 1-2 minutes, brush the skewers with your hot honey sauce. (You'll be serving the skewers with the remaining sauce so don't use all of it for brushing!)
- Garnish and serve. Remove the skewers from the grill and garnish with chopped basil. Serve them warm with extra hot honey sauce on the side.
Very tasty, thanks!
So happy you enjoyed it Amelie! 🙂