Flavorful Grilled BBQ Chicken Kebabs: Your Ultimate Guide to Easy Outdoor Feasting
Get ready to elevate your grilling game and transform ordinary chicken breasts into extraordinary Grilled BBQ Chicken Kebabs! Imagine tender, juicy, perfectly spice-rubbed chicken and vibrant vegetables, kissed by smoky charcoal flavor, and straight off the grill. These kebabs are not just a meal; they’re an experience, perfect for any gathering or a delightful weeknight dinner.
At Casa de Crews, our backyard grill is often the heart of our entertaining. Sometimes I take the reins as grill-master, and other times Jason steps up – it really just depends on who has the most time to dedicate to crafting delicious meals outdoors. But no matter who’s manning the tongs, the goal is always the same: incredible food and cherished moments with friends and family.
Speaking of gatherings, are you a sports enthusiast? While I appreciate the excitement of the game, I confess my true passion lies with the delicious food that accompanies football season! There’s nothing quite like hosting friends at Casa de Crews on a Sunday. We fire up the grill, invite everyone over, and enjoy a fantastic spread of grilled delights, all while cheering on our favorite teams. It’s the perfect blend of good company, great food, and spirited fun.
While a classic grilled chicken breast is undeniably easy to prepare, when you’re hosting a lively Sunday Funday, do you really want your guests fumbling with knives and forks to cut their chicken? That’s where Grilled BBQ Chicken Kebabs truly shine. They are the ultimate hassle-free, hand-held option for a football watch party (whether you call it homegating or tailgating). These convenient skewers make eating effortless, allowing your guests to mingle, cheer, and enjoy without missing a beat. Plus, the visual appeal of colorful kebabs always adds a festive touch to any spread.
One of the secrets to exceptionally flavorful BBQ Chicken Kebabs is the magic of charcoal. Using a charcoal grill makes it surprisingly simple to infuse your chicken with that irresistible smoky flavor. While assembling the skewers might take a little time and creativity, the actual grilling process is incredibly fast. With quality charcoal briquettes, such as Kingsford, you can cook these delectable kebabs in as little as 15 minutes – often faster than other grilling methods. There’s simply no substitute for the authentic, wood-fired taste that only charcoal can deliver, transforming a simple chicken dish into a memorable culinary experience. The intense heat and smoke created by charcoal penetrate the chicken and vegetables, creating a depth of flavor that a gas grill often struggles to replicate. It’s this unique char and smoky essence that makes these kebabs truly stand out.
For years, Jason was the undisputed grill-master in our household. I admit, I used to feign a bit of helplessness when it came to managing the grill. But then he insisted I learn how to help out, and to my surprise, I discovered just how straightforward it was, especially when using charcoal. Once I saw how easy it was to get a consistent heat and that incredible smoky flavor, I couldn’t pretend any longer. Now, I genuinely love being the one outside, tending to the grill and cooking up a batch of these mouth-watering kebabs. There’s a certain satisfaction that comes with mastering the flames and serving up perfectly grilled food. It’s become a favorite part of our outdoor entertaining routine, and I encourage anyone who’s been intimidated by charcoal grilling to give it a try – you might just discover your new favorite hobby!
Quality ingredients are the foundation of any great dish, and these BBQ Chicken Kebabs are no exception. You already know my appreciation for ButcherBox; we’re dedicated subscribers, and I always have their premium chicken breast on hand. Opting for ButcherBox chicken breast for grilling is always a smart choice, guaranteeing tender, flavorful results. Transforming these high-quality chicken breasts into skewers takes minimal effort, making it a perfect solution for delicious, quick-cooking meals. The difference in taste and texture with pasture-raised, humanely sourced meat is truly noticeable, and it makes every bite of these kebabs even more enjoyable.
Crafting Your Perfect Grilled BBQ Chicken Kebabs
Creating these sensational kebabs is a simple, enjoyable process. I start by dicing the chicken breast into uniform chunks, which ensures even cooking. Then, I thread these chicken pieces onto skewers, alternating them with vibrant slices of red onion, sweet and tangy fresh pineapple, and colorful mini bell peppers. This combination not only offers a delightful mix of flavors and textures but also makes for an incredibly attractive presentation. Once assembled, each skewer gets a generous coating of a savory BBQ dry rub, infusing the ingredients with deep flavor even before they hit the grill.
The prepared skewers then go onto the hot grill, where they’ll cook for about 7-10 minutes. During this initial cooking phase, the dry rub creates a fantastic crust and locks in the juices. After this time, they’re basted with your favorite BBQ sauce, adding a layer of sticky, sweet, and tangy goodness that caramelizes beautifully over the heat. This basting step is crucial for developing that classic BBQ flavor and creating a delicious glaze.
A quick but essential tip: if you opt for wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before you start assembling your kebabs. This simple step prevents the wood from burning on the grill, ensuring your kebabs cook perfectly without any mishaps. You can even prepare these skewers in advance, making them an ideal choice for meal prepping or for an easy grab-and-grill option when guests arrive. Serve them with a side of rice, a fresh salad, or simply enjoy them as a standalone appetizer. They’re versatile, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Grilled BBQ Chicken Kebabs: A Recipe for Smoky Perfection
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Ingredients
- 2 lbs ButcherBox chicken breast – cubed into 1¼-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 red onion – cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 lb baby bell peppers – whole
- 1 pineapple – cut into 2″ pieces
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce of choice
- 1 cup cilantro – packed, for garnish
- Lime wedges – for garnish (optional)
- metal or bamboo skewers – soaked in water for 30 minutes if using bamboo
Instructions
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Begin by preparing your chicken. Cut the ButcherBox chicken breast into uniform 1¼-inch cubes. This size ensures that all pieces cook evenly and at the same rate, preventing some from drying out while others are still cooking.
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In a small bowl, combine the dried spices: garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the olive oil and fresh squeezed lime juice to these spices, mixing thoroughly to create a thick, flavorful paste. This paste will form the base of your BBQ dry rub. Combine this paste with the cubed chicken breast in a larger bowl, ensuring every piece of chicken is well coated. Set the marinated chicken aside to allow the flavors to meld, ideally for at least 15-30 minutes, or even longer in the refrigerator.
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Now, it’s time to assemble your skewers. On each metal or pre-soaked bamboo skewer, carefully thread the cubed chicken, pineapple pieces, whole baby bell peppers, and red onion chunks. Alternate the ingredients after every piece to ensure an even distribution of flavors and visual appeal. This step can be done up to a day in advance if you’re preparing for a tailgate party or a busy weeknight, simply cover and refrigerate the assembled kebabs.
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Prepare your charcoal grill for direct grilling over medium heat, aiming for a temperature range of 350-450 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow the grill to preheat for 10-15 minutes to ensure the grates are sufficiently hot. Once preheated, brush the grates with a small amount of oil or cooking spray to prevent the kebabs from sticking. A hot, clean grate is essential for achieving those perfect grill marks.
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Once the grill is hot, place the kebabs directly over the medium heat. Grill them, turning once, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through. Keep the lid closed as much as possible between turns to maintain a consistent grilling temperature and infuse maximum smoky flavor. Using an instant-read thermometer, grill until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which typically takes about 10-12 minutes depending on the heat of your grill and the size of your chicken pieces. Once cooked, remove the kebabs from the grill and generously baste them with your favorite BBQ sauce. The residual heat will help the sauce to set and create a beautiful glaze.
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Finally, garnish your succulent BBQ Chicken Kebabs with fresh cilantro and optional lime wedges for a burst of fresh flavor and vibrant color. Then, dig in and enjoy the fruits of your grilling labor!