This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Chipotle Honey Grilled Chicken Skewers – Don’t miss these easy to make, tender, juicy bites of chicken slathered in a smoky homemade sauce with a hint of sweetness and a warm heat from the chipotle peppers and adobo sauce.
It’s hard to beat this kind of simple and delicious meal that’s good enough for company and quick enough for a weeknight meal. Even though summer is waning and the school buses are already picking up the kids, we’re still enjoying ย warm weather and plenty of grilling opportunities. Grilled chicken is my go-to summer meal and this delicious method is a nice change from the same old recipes. Cutting the chicken into strips or chunks and threading the pieces onto skewers helps speed up the cooking time and also allows for more of the chicken to be covered in this delicious sauce.
Our chipotle honey sauce is thick and rich, and super tomatoey with a slightly sweet warm heat.
The ingredients for this luscious sauce are simple. You’ll need some honey, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, garlic, a pinch of sugar and a little vegetable oil. To change it up, substitute your favorite BBQ sauce for the tomato paste or even try it with ketchup. We love the rich tomato flavor so tomato paste is our favorite. Half the mixture is set aside for brushing on the chicken skewers before grilling. The remaining sauce is warmed on the stove top and lightly simmered until thickened and cooked through. The warm sauce is passed with the grilled chicken skewers when served. Finally, squeeze some fresh lime juice over the chicken skewers just before serving. The bright lime juice adds a nice acidic punch to the tomatoey richness of the chipotle sauce.
For added flavor and heat, serve grilled jalapeรฑo peppers alongside the chicken skewers.
Brush a little chipotle honey sauce over sliced jalapeรฑo peppers and add them to the grill during the last 5 minutes of cooking the chicken skewers. Grill until the peppers have a nice char or are blistered and tender. You can leave the seeds in your sliced jalapeรฑos or remove some, or all, as desired. I leave the seeds in the jalapeรฑos and let our dinner companions remove them if preferred. ย What a difference grilling makes to the flavor of peppers!
A simple and easy dinner ready in a flash!
All the components for these chicken skewers can be made ahead. It only takes about 10 minutes on the grill to cook chicken breast chunks/strips and a few more than that if you use chicken thighs. Add tomatoes, zucchini, onion and/or mushrooms to your chicken skewers if desired. You can even coat the chicken pieces in the sauce first, then thread them on the skewers in between the vegetables.
Thanks for PINNING!
Letโs be grilling friends! If you make our recipe please feel free to leave a comment on this post. Iโm sure your experience and insights will help all our readers, and it helps me too. Also, if youโre onย Pinterestย feel free to leave a comment and photo there if you have one! If you share on INSTAGRAMย tag @savingroomfordessert so we can stop by and give your post some love. And weโd be very happy if youโd FOLLOW Saving Room for Dessert on FACEBOOK| INSTAGRAM| PINTEREST | TWITTERย and subscribe to ourย YOUTUBEย channel for all the latest recipes, videos and updates. Thank you!!
PRINT THE RECIPE!
Chipotle Honey Grilled Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- ยฝ cup honey
- 6 ounce can tomato paste
- โ to ยฝ cup apple cider vinegar, more or less to taste
- 1 or 2 chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce (if you're not into spicy hot foods, start with one)
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ยผ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ยฝ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
For the chicken:
- 1 ยฝ pounds boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
- 6 jalapeรฑo peppers, sliced in half lengthwise
- 2 limes cut into wedges, for serving
- 8 skewers for grilling
Instructions
To prepare the sauce:
- Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Remove ยพ cup of the sauce to a small bowl, cover and set aside until ready to grill the skewers. Pour the remaining sauce in a small saucepan. Cover and cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce is thickened and slightly reduced. Keep warm until ready to serve or refrigerate until needed.
To prepare the chicken:
- Cut the chicken breasts into 1 ยฝ-inch chunks or strips. Tread on skewers and place on a foil lined baking sheet. Slice the jalapeรฑos in half and add to the baking sheet. Brush the skewers and jalapeรฑos with the uncooked sauce. Use all the uncooked sauce on the skewers or discard any remaining.
- Clean the grill grates using a wire brush. Heat the grill on high (with the lid close for 10 to 15 minutes or until it reaches about 450ยฐ to 500ยฐF.) Generously grease the grill grates using long tongs and vegetable oil soaked folded paper towels. Repeat if needed to ensure the grates are well oiled.
- Grill the chicken skewers for about 8 to 10 minutes, turning once. Add the jalapeรฑos to the grill during the last few minutes of cooking until the peppers are blistered and charred. Remove to a clean platter and squeeze fresh lime juice over the chicken. Serve immediately passing the warm reduced sauce with the chicken skewers.
Recipe Notes
- If using wooden skewers, soak in water for 20-30 minutes before using
- Substitute chicken thighs for the chicken breasts, if desired
- Substitute your favorite BBQ sauce for the tomato paste if desired.
Nutrition
Finally, here are a few more recipes featuring chipotle peppers you might like:
Thank goodness for amazing shortcuts! This Easy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe is quick, flavorful and satisfying, and I bet youโre going to love it as much as we do. Click HERE to get the recipe.
Who can resist a juicy, thick-cut, char-grilled tender pork chop hot off the grill? Not me! Slathered in a flavorful butter adding just a hint of smoky spice, these Grilled Pork Chops with Chipotle Butter are a winner youโll want to make all summer long. Easy is the name of the game here, with minimal hands on time! Click HERE to get the recipe.
Liven up your week night dinner menu with this healthy, quick and easy Grilled Chipotle Chicken Tenders Recipe with Spicy Slaw.ย This simple chicken tenders recipe is the perfect 30-minute weeknight dinner solution. Click HERE to get the recipe.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Tricia
Mimi
Wonderful. I love this recipe. and it just made me realize Iโm our of my ancho chile paste and my adobo sauce. But canned chipotles in adobo are good. I need to get busy! I like the grilled jalapeรฑos as well!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Mimi! Enjoy ๐
Liz
I don’t make chicken skewers nearly enough but this yummy recipe is perfect for one of our Sunday night BBQs! Gosh, I’m not ready for summer to be over—so much more grilling to do!!!
Tricia Buice
I’m going to miss grilling too Liz – but am almost ready for fleece and soup!
angiesrecipes
The sauce makes the dish! These look fingerlickingly yummy!
Tricia Buice
Thank you Angie – we love a great sauce!
sue
I think I need to slather that chipotle honey all over everything, it’s gorgeous!!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Sue!