The Ultimate Grilled Chipotle BBQ Chicken Skewers: Savory, Spicy, and Smoky Summer Perfection

Get ready to ignite your taste buds with these incredible Grilled Chipotle BBQ Chicken Skewers! They are savory, spicy, and infused with an irresistible smoky flavor that makes them truly unforgettable. Featuring tender chicken threaded with vibrant vegetables and crispy bacon, all basted to delicious perfection with our easy 3-ingredient chipotle BBQ sauce, these grilled chicken kabobs are guaranteed to become your new favorite for any backyard cookout.

Summer means grilling season is in full swing, and what better way to celebrate than by firing up some fantastic chicken kabobs? There’s something undeniably satisfying about threading your favorite ingredients onto a skewer and watching them transform over hot coals or flames. These grilled chipotle BBQ chicken skewers are designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss, making them an ideal choice for effortless entertaining or a relaxed weeknight meal.

This recipe truly embodies the spirit of low-effort, high-reward cooking. Don’t let its simplicity fool you; the flavor profile is rich and complex. Each bite delivers a punch of smoky spice, perfectly balanced with savory chicken and crisp-tender vegetables. And when you hit that golden piece of bacon alongside the chicken and bell pepper? Pure culinary bliss. These chicken kabobs are so straightforward to prepare, you’ll wonder why they haven’t been a staple in your grilling repertoire all along. They’re perfect for those long, sunny summer evenings when you want to enjoy delicious food without being chained to the kitchen, or to effortlessly impress your guests with a dish that looks and tastes gourmet.

The secret to these sensational grilled BBQ chicken skewers lies in our incredibly simple yet potent chipotle BBQ sauce. Crafted with just three key ingredients, it strikes the perfect balance of heat and sweetness. It’s got enough kick to excite your palate without overwhelming those who prefer a milder spice level. Plus, chipotle peppers bring a distinct smoky depth that elevates any barbecue. As the sauce caramelizes on the grill, it forms a gorgeous, sticky glaze that locks in moisture and adds an irresistible depth of flavor to every piece of chicken and vegetable.

Prepare for these juicy and tender grilled barbecue chicken kabobs to become your ultimate go-to recipe. Whether you’re planning a casual family dinner, hosting a lively backyard party, or simply craving something extraordinary, these skewers deliver every time. Once you experience their vibrant flavors and easy preparation, you’ll find it hard to go back to any other grilled chicken recipe!

To complete your summer spread, these savory skewers pair wonderfully with a refreshing mojito pitcher recipe, perfect for serving a crowd. For those particularly sweltering days, having a cool drink and a quick-cooking meal like these skewers is a true blessing!

Note: This article has been updated to provide even more helpful tips, detailed information, and enhanced instructions for making these fantastic grilled chipotle BBQ chicken skewers.

Key Ingredients for Chipotle BBQ Chicken Skewers

Crafting the perfect grilled chicken kabobs starts with selecting high-quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at the stars of this show:

• BBQ Sauce: The foundation of our flavorful basting sauce. Feel free to use your absolute favorite store-bought BBQ sauce, or if you have a cherished homemade recipe, that works perfectly too! The quality of your base sauce will significantly impact the final taste of these spicy BBQ chicken skewers. For best results, consider a sauce that balances sweet, tangy, and savory notes to complement the chipotle.
• Chipotle Peppers: These smoky, dried jalapeños are what give our BBQ sauce its distinctive spicy kick and deep, earthy flavor. You’ll need both the whole chipotle peppers (usually found canned in adobo sauce) and a tablespoon of the rich, spicy adobo sauce they are packed in. This combination ensures maximum flavor infusion and a beautiful reddish hue to your glaze.
• Chicken: For the best results, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are highly recommended due to their lean profile and ability to cook evenly. Cut them into uniform ¾ to 1-inch pieces to ensure everything cooks simultaneously and the chicken remains juicy. Alternatively, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used if you prefer a richer, slightly more forgiving cut of meat that stays incredibly tender.
• Bacon: This is where the magic truly happens! Opt for thick-cut bacon. Thin bacon tends to crisp up and burn too quickly on the grill before the chicken and vegetables are fully cooked. Thick-cut bacon, however, renders beautifully and slowly, adding incredible savory notes, a delightful texture, and preventing premature charring. Cut it into pieces roughly the same size as your chicken and veggies.
• Bell Peppers: While green bell peppers offer a classic flavor and vibrant color contrast, feel free to experiment with yellow, orange, or red bell peppers. Each color adds a slightly different sweetness and aesthetic appeal to your grilled kabobs. They also hold up well to grilling, becoming tender-crisp.
• Red Onion: Red onion provides a wonderful, pungent sweetness when grilled, mellowing out as it cooks and developing a lovely caramelized edge. It’s ideal for kabobs, adding another layer of savory-sweetness. However, if you only have white or yellow onions on hand, they will also work just fine. Cut them into thick, uniform pieces so they don’t fall apart on the skewer.

Essential Tools for Perfect Grilling

Having the right tools can make all the difference in your grilling experience. For these grilled chipotle BBQ chicken skewers, here are a few must-haves to ensure a smooth and successful cookout:

• Chef’s Knife and Cutting Board: Precision is key for even cooking. A sharp chef’s knife and a sturdy cutting board will help you cut all your chicken, bacon, and vegetables into uniform pieces, ensuring everything cooks at the same rate and skewers easily.
• Grill: Whether you prefer a gas grill, charcoal grill, or a wood pellet grill like a Traeger grill, any outdoor grill will work wonders for these kabobs. Ensure it’s clean and preheated for optimal grilling.
• Grill Tongs and Brush: Essential for safely turning your skewers and generously basting them with that delicious chipotle BBQ sauce. Good quality tongs will prevent accidental drops, and a heat-resistant basting brush will help evenly coat your kabobs without melting.
• Skewers: You can use either traditional bamboo skewers (remember to soak them!) or sturdy metal skewers for this recipe. Metal skewers are reusable and conduct heat well, helping to cook food from the inside, while bamboo skewers add a rustic charm.
• Instant-Read Meat Thermometer: While optional, an instant-read thermometer is highly recommended to ensure your chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) without overcooking.

More amazing grilled chicken recipes to try: Grilled Avocado Caprese Chicken / Charred Cilantro Lime Corn Chicken Tacos / Beer Brined Beer Can Chicken / Grilled Beer Marinated Chicken Wings

How to Make Grilled Chipotle BBQ Chicken Skewers

Follow these simple steps to create perfectly grilled, flavor-packed chipotle BBQ chicken skewers that will impress everyone:

Prepare Your Skewers

If you’re using wooden or bamboo skewers, this step is crucial! Place them in a shallow pan and cover them completely with water. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. This prevents the wood from burning and splintering excessively on the hot grill, ensuring your delicious ingredients stay securely threaded throughout the cooking process. If you’re using reusable metal skewers, you can happily skip this part as they are naturally heat-resistant.

Assemble the Flavor-Packed Chicken Kabobs

Once your chicken, bell peppers, onion, and bacon are all cut into uniform ¾ to 1-inch pieces, it’s time to thread them onto the skewers. For the bacon, it’s best to fold each piece into a “C” shape and skewer through both ends. This technique helps it stay securely on the skewer and cook more evenly, preventing it from crisping too quickly. Alternate the ingredients in an order that appeals to you – perhaps chicken, then bell pepper, bacon, and onion, repeating the pattern. This ensures a good mix of flavors and textures in every bite. Once assembled, lightly brush the kabobs with a little olive oil and season generously with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper for a foundational layer of flavor that enhances all the ingredients.

Whip Up the Zesty Chipotle BBQ Sauce

This is arguably the easiest and most impactful part of the entire recipe! Simply combine your favorite BBQ sauce, the chipotle peppers, and the adobo sauce from the can into a blender. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and uniform. This creates a beautifully spicy, smoky, and slightly sweet sauce that will be the star of your grilled chicken skewers. Taste and adjust to your preference – if you like it spicier, add another chipotle pepper; for less heat, use fewer peppers or scrape out some seeds. You can even add a touch of honey or brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter glaze, or a splash of apple cider vinegar for extra tang.

Grill, Baste, and Caramelize

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400-450°F / 200-230°C) and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. Place the assembled skewers directly on the hot grill. Initially, cook them for about 5 minutes, turning them halfway through, until you start to see some nice grill marks and the chicken begins to whiten. After this initial cooking phase, begin the basting process. Generously brush the chipotle BBQ sauce onto all sides of the skewers. Continue to baste and turn the skewers every minute or so for another 10 minutes. This crucial, frequent turning and basting allows the sauce to caramelize and thicken, forming that irresistible sticky glaze while infusing deep flavor and smoky goodness into every piece of chicken and vegetable. The skewers are done when the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as measured with an instant-read thermometer, and the bacon is nicely crispy with the vegetables tender-crisp.

Pro Tips for Grilling Success

Achieving perfectly grilled chipotle BBQ chicken skewers every time is easier with these expert tips. Master these techniques for consistently delicious results:

• Marinate for Maximum Flavor: While these skewers are fantastic as is, pre-marinating the chicken will infuse even deeper flavors and ensure extra juiciness. Consider using a Mexican chicken marinade or a honey soy marinade for at least 30 minutes to a few hours before threading the skewers. This step tenderizes the chicken and adds an extra, vibrant layer of deliciousness.
• Vary Your BBQ Sauce: Don’t be afraid to experiment with the base BBQ sauce flavor! This recipe is adaptable to many BBQ sauce styles. Try a smoky mesquite, a sweet and tangy honey BBQ, or even a spicier habanero BBQ sauce if you’re feeling adventurous. The chipotle peppers will still add their signature smoky heat, but the base sauce can entirely change the overall flavor profile, allowing you to customize it to your liking.
• Uniform Cuts are Key: Ensure all your chicken, bacon, and vegetables are cut into roughly the same size (¾ to 1 inch). This meticulous cutting promotes incredibly even cooking, preventing some pieces from being undercooked or overcooked. Consistency in size leads to perfectly cooked and tender kabobs every single time.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Grill: Give your skewers ample space on the grill. Overcrowding the grill grates lowers the overall cooking temperature and steams the food instead of searing it. This prevents that beautiful char and caramelization that adds so much flavor. Cook in batches if necessary to maintain proper heat.
• Internal Temperature is Your Friend: Always use an instant-read meat thermometer to check for doneness, especially with chicken. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of a chicken piece, avoiding the skewer itself. Chicken is safely cooked and perfectly juicy when it registers an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This ensures both food safety and prevents dry, overcooked meat.
• Prevent Sticking: Beyond generously oiling your grill grates, ensure your grill is preheated sufficiently before adding the skewers. A hot grill sears the food quickly, creating a natural non-stick surface. If ingredients still seem to be sticking when you try to turn them, gently loosen them with your tongs rather than forcing them, which can tear the meat or vegetables.

No Grill? No Problem! Oven Method for Chicken Kabobs

Even without an outdoor grill, you can still enjoy these mouth-watering chipotle BBQ chicken kabobs. The oven method delivers deliciously cooked skewers with a fantastic caramelized glaze, bringing that backyard barbecue flavor right into your kitchen:

1. Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to a high temperature of 450°F (230°C). This high heat helps to mimic the direct heat of a grill, promoting browning and caramelization.
2. Prepare Skewers and Sauce: Thread your chicken, bacon, and vegetables onto the skewers as directed in the main recipe, ensuring all pieces are uniform in size. Prepare the chipotle BBQ sauce in your blender until it’s perfectly smooth and ready for basting.
3. Baking Setup: Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for incredibly easy cleanup. Arrange the prepared skewers in a single, even layer on the baking sheet, ensuring they aren’t touching too much. Giving them space allows for better air circulation and more even cooking and browning.
4. Baste and Bake: Generously brush the skewers with your homemade chipotle BBQ sauce. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time (around the 7-10 minute mark), carefully flip the skewers and baste them again with more sauce. Continue cooking until the chicken is cooked through (reaching an internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C) and the bacon is nicely crispy. The high heat of the oven will help the sauce caramelize beautifully, mimicking that delicious grilled flavor.

You can also achieve excellent results using a cast-iron grill pan on your stovetop if you have one. Just ensure the pan is very hot and lightly oiled before adding the skewers, and turn them frequently to ensure even cooking and charring.

The Perfect Grilling Time for Chicken Skewers

The total cooking time for these delicious grilled chipotle BBQ chicken skewers can vary slightly, but generally, they will be ready in about 15 minutes over medium-high heat on the grill. Factors such as the thickness of your chicken and bacon pieces, the precise temperature of your grill, and even external weather conditions (like wind or ambient temperature) can influence the exact timing.

The most important piece of advice for perfectly cooked chicken kabobs is to rely on an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of a chicken piece, making sure to avoid the skewer itself. The chicken is safely cooked and perfectly juicy when it registers an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This ensures both food safety and prevents the chicken from becoming dry and overcooked. Alternatively, if you don’t have a thermometer, you can cut into one of the larger chicken cubes to ensure there is absolutely no pink meat inside. The bacon should also be nicely crispy and rendered by this point, with the vegetables tender-crisp and slightly charred, indicating they are ready to be enjoyed.

What to Serve with Your Chipotle BBQ Chicken Kabobs

These versatile grilled BBQ chicken kabobs pair beautifully with a wide array of side dishes, making them perfect for any meal or gathering. Here are some fantastic suggestions to complement their smoky, spicy, and savory flavors:

• Fresh & Vibrant Salads: A light and refreshing salad is always a great choice. My personal favorite is this vibrant bacon cilantro lime grilled corn salad, which echoes the smoky flavors of the kabobs. Other excellent options include a classic creamy potato salad, a zesty summer pasta salad, or a simple green salad with a bright vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
• Roasted & Grilled Vegetables: Enhance your meal with more delicious veggies. Consider serving spicy-sweet roasted broccolini, perfectly complementing the heat of the skewers, or some simply grilled asparagus or zucchini spears. Corn on the cob, whether grilled or boiled, is also a quintessential summer pairing.
• Comforting Potatoes: For a hearty and satisfying side, explore various potato preparations. Spicy garlic cilantro fries offer a fun and flavorful twist, or for something more elegant, try smashed potatoes with fresh herbs and blue cheese. Traditional mashed potatoes, roasted potato wedges, or even a simple baked potato are also excellent choices.
• Fruity Companions: For a refreshing sweet and savory balance, grilled pineapple is an exceptionally easy and delicious side that can be cooked right alongside your skewers on the grill, adding a tropical sweetness. A fresh mango salsa or a mixed berry fruit salad would also be wonderful additions.
• Rice or Grains: A simple side of fluffy cilantro-lime rice, a vibrant quinoa salad, or even a flavorful couscous can beautifully soak up any extra BBQ sauce and round out the meal.
• Warm Bread: Don’t forget some warm, crusty bread, soft dinner rolls, or warm tortillas to complete the experience and make sure no delicious drop of sauce goes to waste!

Storing and Repurposing Leftovers

If you happen to have any of these delectable grilled chipotle BBQ chicken skewers leftover (a rare occurrence, we know!), they store beautifully and can be transformed into new delicious meals. Once cooled completely, it’s best to remove the chicken, bacon, and vegetables from the skewers. Place them in an airtight container, and they will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

Don’t let leftovers go to waste! Here are some creative and easy ways to repurpose them into exciting new dishes:

• BBQ Chicken Bowls: Slice or chop the leftover chicken and veggies. Serve them warm over a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa, with an extra drizzle of the chipotle BBQ sauce. Top with fresh avocado slices, corn, black beans, and a sprinkle of cilantro for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Chicken Wraps or Tacos: Shred or finely chop the leftover chicken and vegetables. Gently warm them in a pan or microwave, then pile them into soft tortillas or crisp lettuce wraps. Add your favorite taco or wrap toppings such as fresh salsa, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, shredded cheese, or more fresh cilantro for a quick and flavorful lunch or light dinner.
• Salad Topper: Add the chopped chicken and veggies to a fresh green salad for a super quick, protein-packed, and flavorful lunch. The smoky flavor of the chicken will elevate any simple salad.
• Speedy Quesadillas: Layer chopped leftover chicken, vegetables, and a generous amount of shredded cheese between two tortillas. Grill or pan-fry until golden brown and the cheese is wonderfully melty for a speedy and satisfying quesadilla.
• Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: Reheat the chicken and veggie mixture and use it as a flavorful topping for baked sweet potatoes, along with a sprinkle of cheese or a dollop of Greek yogurt.

Finally, if you make this incredible grilled BBQ chicken kabobs recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star rating on the recipe card below and/or leave a comment! Your feedback is incredibly valuable, helps other home cooks, and I love hearing about your experiences in the kitchen. I make every effort to respond to each and every comment, so feel free to drop any questions you might have as well.

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