Flavorful Grilled Chicken Kabobs Recipe

Elevate your grilling game with these incredibly flavorful chicken kabobs! Inspired by Cook's Illustrated, this recipe skips the fussy homemade BBQ sauce (bottled works perfectly!) and focuses on what truly matters: a sensational bacon-spiced rub that will leave you craving more. Tender, juicy chicken pieces infused with smoky paprika, sweet paprika, and a surprisingly delicious bacon paste—grilled to perfection and finished with a touch of your favorite BBQ sauce. This recipe is easy to follow, delivers incredible flavor, and is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend BBQ.

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 35 mins

Calories 526.8 kcal

Protein 96g

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The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Flavorful Grilled Chicken Kabobs

Boneless Chicken Breasts
Kosher Salt
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
4 slices bacon
Wooden Skewers
Barbecue Sauce

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How to Make Flavorful Grilled Chicken Kabobs

Cut 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into 1-inch cubes.
In a large bowl, toss the chicken with 1 teaspoon of salt.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour.
While the chicken marinates, heat your gas grill to medium-high heat.
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon sweet paprika, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or chipotle powder for extra heat).
Process 4 slices of bacon in a food processor until a smooth paste forms (about 30-45 seconds), scraping down the bowl as needed.
Add the bacon paste and spice mixture to the chicken.
Using your hands or a rubber spatula, thoroughly mix until the chicken is evenly coated.
Thread the chicken onto skewers, rolling or folding as needed to maintain 1-inch cubes.
Place the kebabs on the preheated grill.
Turn the kebabs one-quarter turn every 2-2.5 minutes until well browned and slightly charred (about 8 minutes for breasts, 10 minutes for thighs).
Brush the top surface of the kebabs with 1/4 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce.
Flip the kebabs and cook for about 1 minute until the sauce is slightly browned.
Brush the other side with the remaining 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce.
Flip again and continue cooking until the sauce is browned and the chicken is cooked through (about 1 minute more).
Remove the kebabs from the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve immediately, passing extra BBQ sauce separately.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

65 g

Sugar

83g

Fat

33g

Carbs

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Side Dishes Poultry Chicken Recipes The Americas American Southern Gluten Free Summer Recipes Game Day Recipes Grilling & Bbq 30 Minutes Or Less

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

60 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Preparation Main Dish Poultry Chicken Dietary High Protein Low Carb High In Something Low In Something Meat Grilling Technique

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Flavorful Grilled Chicken Kabobs?

Flavorful Grilled Chicken Kabobs takes about 55 minutes from start to finish — roughly 20 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Flavorful Grilled Chicken Kabobs?

Flavorful Grilled Chicken Kabobs has approximately 526.8 calories per serving, with about 96 g protein, 9 g carbohydrates and 35 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Flavorful Grilled Chicken Kabobs?

The key ingredients for Flavorful Grilled Chicken Kabobs are Boneless Chicken Breasts, Kosher Salt, Sweet Paprika, Sugar, Smoked Paprika, Fresh Ground Black Pepper. See the full list with measurements above.