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These Barbecued Chicken Skewers are beyond delicious, with tender chunks of spice-rubbed chicken breast, smoky bacon and crisp red onion. They're grilled to perfection, then charred with a super easy Bourbon Barbecue Sauce.
With over 1800 recipes in The Café archives, I often forget about wonderful meals from years gone by. It seems there are always a slew of new ideas to try and I just don't have (or take) the time to go back. But a comment from a reader this past spring drew my attention to a recipe I posted back in 2011, in the very early days of the blog. I had forgotten all about it, but thanks to this thoughtful reader, it became the inspiration for these delicious Bacon Bourbon Barbecued Chicken Skewers.
A beloved (but fussy) recipe
The comment was regarding these Grilled Chicken Kabobs (don't look too closely at the pics or food styling - we had no idea what we were doing back then). This is what the comment said:
This recipe was fantastic! The chicken was so tender and flavorful - worth the extra steps! Thank you!
The recipe employed a genius trick from the smart chefs over at Cook's Illustrated. They had taken bacon, combined it with spices in a food processor, then pureed it into a paste. The paste was rubbed on chunks of chicken breast before grilling, producing fabulous flavor and moist, super tender chicken. It was a wonderful recipe but honestly, making a "paste" out of bacon was not very pleasant. And the food processor was a pain to clean up.
Better and easier
I thought about that delicious, tender grilled chicken and decided to work on a recipe that would produce the same delicious flavor, minus the bacon paste. It took a few weeks of testing and tweeking (and lots of taste-testers), but I think you're going to love these barbecued chicken skewers as much as we do!
How to make these Bacon Bourbon Barbecued Chicken Skewers
How does it work? It's a much simpler (and not so messy) technique than the Cooks Illustrated recipe. Cut up chicken breasts into bite-size chunks and place them in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil. Toss the chicken with a delicious spice rub, then thread on skewers alternately with bacon and squares of red onion. This can all be done in advance and then popped in the fridge until right before dinner.
On the grill
Clean, spray, then heat up your grill and add the skewers. As they begin to cook, the bacon fat will baste the chicken, keeping it moist and tender. And although most of it burns off into the grill, it also envelops the skewers with a wonderful smoky flavor.
An easy and delicious sauce to finish with
Once the chicken's pretty much cooked through comes the" pièce de résistance" or the "crowning glory", slathering the skewers with a super flavorful barbecue sauce that's made from a purchased barbecue sauce that's doctored up with a few secret flavor bombs (bourbon and soy sauce). The hot grill carmelizes and chars everything a bit, melding the flavors into a crazy delicious meal!
In the oven or air fryer!
Believe me, you want this one in your summer grilling recipe arsenal! But guess what? If you don't have a grill or it's not grilling weather, these barbecued chicken skewers can also be made in the oven or fryer. Just crank up the temperature and roast until everything's nice and golden. Add a few (optional) minutes under the broiler to create a bit of char.
And if you have an air fryer, that works too! We air fry them at 400°F for 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. They come out gloriously golden with a beautiful char and so, so delicious!
Café Tips for making these Barbecued Chicken Skewers
- You can make the spice rub ahead and store in an airtight storage container or a jar with a tight-fitting lid. I like to double or triple these rub ingredients so it's super easy the next time I want to make these barbecued chicken skewers. (Believe me, there will be "the next time" despite my propensity to charge ahead to new recipes!)
- Use your favorite barbecue sauce for this recipe. We like the original Sweet Baby Ray's sauce.
- To prepare in advance, follow the recipe directions through step 5, then place on a sheet pan, cover tightly with foil and refrigerate until ready to grill.
- If you want to be super organized and enjoy your guests, these skewers can even be grilled in advance. When completed, place on a foil-lined sheet pan, cool slightly, cover with more foil, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, warm in the oven (350ËšF) for 10 minutes, covered with foil. Uncover, flip skewers to the opposite side, brush with a bit more barbecue sauce and bake for another 5 minutes (or broil for 2-3 minutes to char a bit).
- To make these barbecued chicken skewers completely in the oven, follow directions in recipe through step 5. Preheat oven to 450ËšF. Line a sheet pan with foil, spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray and line up the skewers in a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes, turning the dish halfway through. Brush with the BBQ sauce and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the edges of the bacon are nicely crisp.
- Don't have any bourbon or don't like to use alcohol? Just skip it! It does add a nice layer of flavor, but the skewers will be delicious without it, too.
- A good set of tongs is essential for grilling and especially for grilling skewers and kabobs. These 16-inch GRILLHOGS Tongs are not expensive and will last a long time.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It's so helpful to other readers to hear other's results and ideas for variations.
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Barbecued Bacon Bourbon Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
- 6 slices thick-cut, smoky bacon, cut into 1-inch square pieces
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breast or skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 large red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- For the rub:
- 4 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- For the sauce:
- 1 cup barbecue sauce, we like Sweet Baby Ray's
- 1 tablespoon bourbon
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Instructions
- Heat gas grill to medium-high .
- Prepare the spice rub by combining all ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Combine barbecue sauce, bourbon and soy sauce in a small bowl. Stir well to combine. Set aside.
- Cut chicken into 1-inch chunks and transfer to a medium-size bowl. Drizzle chicken with the olive oil and stir well. Sprinkle the rub over the chicken and toss to coat.
- Thread (in a pattern) the bacon, chicken and red onion onto skewers, starting and ending with the bacon.
- Spray the grill well and heat to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers for approximately 8-10 minutes, rotating every couple minutes or until lightly browned and chicken is cooked.
- Brush with prepared sauce and grill another 5-7 minutes, rotating every few minutes, until the edges of the bacon are crisp and slightly charred. Remove to a clean platter, tent with foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with any remaining barbecue sauce.
- Remove kebabs from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve, passing more barbecue sauce separately.
Notes
 Follow directions in recipe through step 5. Preheat oven to 450˚F. Line a sheet pan with foil, spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray and line up the skewers in a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes. Brush with the BBQ sauce and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the edges of the bacon are nicely crisp and charred in places. To make these barbecued chicken skewers in the air fryer:
 Follow directions in recipe through step 5. Preheat your air fryer to 4oo˚F. Spray the basket lightly with nonstick cooking spray and line up the skewers in a single layer. (You may have to do this in two batches, depending in the size of your air fryer. Roast for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway in between and brushing with the bbq sauce. You want the  edges of the bacon to be crisp and slightly charred
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I give it 5 stars even before I try it. Every recipe I have tried of yours has been amazing and all of them are on repeat. Your website for food etc. is my favourite.
I do want to add whisky as I think it adds a nice dimension to the dish. I have never bought Bourbon. I was wondering if rye whiskey could be used. If bourbon works best, I will get the bourbon!
Thank you so much for all your recipes and ideas.
Thanks, Linda, for your very kind words. I'm so happy to hear that you've enjoyed our recipes!
Regarding your question, I think Rye whisky will also work!
Holy Cow! My family gives this 10 stars! Every one of them agreed (which never happens). They said the only thing wrong with this meal was that I didn’t make enough of it! We paired it with the sweetest corn on the cob and it was out of this world.
Hi Callie, Thanks for the wonderful review! It's great to hear how well these turned out for you and how much your family praised them (and what a perfect pairing with sweet corn on the cob!). We appreciate you taking the time to let us know how much you enjoyed this recipe!
Absolutely delicious!! Well balanced flavors, and the touch of bourbon was lovely. This is perfect for the BBQ, as it added some additional smoke. Perfect recipe. Thank you for all of your efforts.
Awesome! Thanks for the kind review, Stacey!
Can't wait to try this recipe! Could you suggest a non-alcoholic substitution for Bourbon? Thank you.
Hi Frannie, you can just leave it out. Enjoy!
This has become my entree for entertaining this summer! I've served it 3 times already and everyone loves it! I did precook the bacon for a few minutes and that worked. I made mine in the oven and then broiled it for a couple of minutes to char it a bit. Wonderful!
Awesome! Thanks for the review, Jeanne!
These really were a hit with our family too. I made them for the first time and followed the directions exactly. I thought I packed the skewers like those in the pictures, but the bacon wasn’t cooked enough in the middle. It looked crisp on the exterior but wasn’t crispy in between. My husband was afraid to leave them on the grill too long and dry out the chicken. Perhaps they were packed too close together. I did refrigerate the skewers 2 hrs before cooking and maybe they needed to sit out before grilling. At any rate, they were the most tender chicken kabobs I’ve ever had and the flavor was great. I’ll definitely try them again and find a way to get the bacon done right.
Hi Bonnie, I'm sorry you had trouble with this. One option would be to put the bacon squares on several thicknesses of paper towels and cook it in the microwave for just a minute or so before threading it on the skewers. Hope that helps!
My husband LOVES this recipe! The rub alone is worth trying and makes all the difference. We just use basic barbeque sauce instead of using the bourbon and it's become a family favorite. My husband tells me all the time not to lose the recipe.
Awesome! Thank you for the review, Traci!
This is my go to recipe for guests and for course family. We love the flavors. Served with a corn casserole and caprese it cant be beat. The Peruvian chicken skewers are also excellent.
Thanks so much, C! So glad you enjoyed this!
Great recipe very delicious! Couldn’t find any coriander but still it was amazing. I made it in the oven and cooked for 10 minutes at 450 turning them halfway through and brushed the BBQ sauce on and cooked for 13 until the bacon was nice and crispy and perfect, the whole recipe ended up actually making like 8 skewers when they arnt loaded to the brim.
Great! Thank you for letting us know, Layton!
I tried this recipe last summer and it was a complete hit! My husband doesn't like red onion so this year I will make some with red pepper in place of the onion for him. The sauce is just amazing. I served it with sauteed green and yellow zucchini with red pepper and sprikled it with fresh basil and fresh parm at the end. A delicious and colorful meal! Summer is here and time to make it again!
That's great, Laurie! Thank you for letting us know!
Is there something I can substitute instead of bourbon or not use it at all? Bourbon isn't something we ever have in the house, especially because I'm horribly allergic to all alcohol.
You can leave it out, Zalina.
It’s raining. Can these be made in oven ?
I haven't tested this recipe in the oven but I would think you could put it under the broiler.
I made these for dinner this evening and they were excellent! I will certainly be making these again and again. Thanks so much for this great recipe!
Awesome! Thanks for letting us know, Barbara!
I do not have a grill. How should I cook in oven? Noticed a reviewer oven baked. I am not sure of temperature and time.
Thanks.
Susan Aho
Hi Susan, to make these completely in the oven, follow directions in recipe through step 5. Preheat oven to 450ËšF. Line a sheet pan with foil, spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray and line up the skewers in a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes, turning halfway in between. Brush with the bbq sauce and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the edges of the bacon are nice and crisp.
Made these skewers tonight and they were delicious!! Highly recommend them. This is my first time trying recipes from The Cafe and it won’t be my last!
Yay! Thanks so much for letting us know, Alison!
Made the bacon bourbon bbq chicken kabobs for family dinner. They were a big hit. Made them in the oven along with roasted potatoes. Definitely a 10. Prepared night before so easy to just pop in the oven.
I love your site. Have tried the Mexican corn salad and lemon cake. Rave reviews.
Thanks so much for letting us know, Wanda!
Ok Chris - these are soooooooooooooooo easy to make and is sooooooooooooooooooooooo delish. Peter and I absolutely love them and can't wait to make them again when Kasey & Wes come back from their travels this month since they will be staying with us until they get settled! YUM
YAY! So happy you enjoyed them, Patti! 🥰 I know you will love having them in Phoenix!
These skewers are super delish and we have them on repeat.
I know what you mean about the bacon paste being a pain to clean the processor, but I add it to grilled turkey burgers along with some bread crumbs and Worcestershire. It adds great smoky flavor and some needed fat.
Thanks so much, Mike! And that sounds delicious!
I have made these at least 5 times since the recipe was first posted. They are simply delicious and my go to BBQ offering for summer company
Awesome! Thanks so much, Carleen!
Would give this a 10 if I could - was SO good! Had company and needed a couple more kabobs and worked out fine with the sauce. Just upped the bacon and onion and used up the sauce on the grill. Everyone!! loved them and still taking about them. Love that can put it together ahead of dinner time. Thanks for the great recipe - will be making it again and again.
Would this recipe work for beef?
Awesome! I'm so glad you loved the kabobs, Kathy! I haven't tried these with beef, so I can't say for sure. If you try it, let us know!
Made these ronight- didnt have onion but used pineapple instead. They are fantastic!
The blend of spices and the secret sauce in superb. Thanks for a great recipe!
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your results! I'm so happy you enjoyed this recipe đź’•
These are delicious! Made them up the night before and grilled the next evening. Wonderful quick family dinner.
Hello again! Serving this for the 3rd night in a row, which around my house is all the proof needed that you scored yet another winner here, Chris! This recipe is divine! Kathy
Haha! I love this Kathy. You sound just like me when I like something it goes on repeat until I come up with the next crazy idea!
Flavor explosion!! Made this for Father’s Day. Huge success!! Easy prep, beautiful presentation, and wow- so tasty! Definitely a new family favorite! Thank you, Chris
Awesome! Thank you, Cathy, for sharing your results!
My husband George made these tonight. Because it’s so hot outside, he cooked them in the air fryer. What amazing flavor! I wish we could upload a photo. The skewers are gorgeous.
Thanks, Tere! I'm super happy you enjoyed this recipe and appreciate you taking the time to leave your review đź’•
We loved this! Always enjoy all your recipes. Thanks!
Yay! Thanks so much, Terri! đź’•
I made these last night-SO GOOD! That rub is amazing! I did 1/2 recipe and ran out of bacon right at the end...if I was doing it again, I would say use 3.5 pieces for half and 7 for full. Mine was good size thick bacon from the meat counter. I zapped the bacon squares for 45 seconds in the microwave first as I have had bad luck with bacon on kabobs before and it came out great. I loved the sauce and i do not like bourbon but added it anyway-yup-no bourbon taste but a depth of flavor added. I too used the original Sweet Baby Ray’s. I did make only 1/4 the sauce and still had some left so if I was doing a full recipe would do 1/2 the sauce. Will be making these again for sure!
Yay! Thanks so much, Sheila, for sharing your results and adaptation. So glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Chris- Thank you for your wonderful reliable recipes!
You mention oil- how much and use olive oil?
Thank you!
Becky
Hi Becky, thanks so much for noticing that. I've corrected the recipe to include the oil. Thanks for your kind encouragement 🙂
Delicious! I didn't have chicken thighs so I tried it with breasts. It was still very good but I can see why thighs would be perfect. Grilled some other veggies and some pineapple alongside. Pineapple would be a great addition to the chicken skewers itself.
Yum, pineapple would be great! Thanks, Christina!
I made these exactly as directed and they were wonderful! The soy and bourbon, ( I usually detest bourbon) really gave some depth to the Spicy Sweet Baby Rays sauce I used. I will serve these again and again. As usual, another great recipe from Cafe Sucre Farine. You have never failed me yet.
Thanks so much, Carleen! I really appreciate your kind words. I'm so happy you enjoyed these skewers!
Oh wow Chris! These were fantastic!! I made them for our son's birthday and was so happy with the flavor. I received yums all around. Of course, mine weren't nearly as pretty as yours, but we didn't care, they tasted great!
These would disappear quickly at our backyard bbq's Chris! They look totally mouthwatering!
We made this last weekend and it was great, so much flavor and so easy to prep. Thank you so much!
Thanks so much, Larisa, for taking the time to share your results!
Outstanding! We couldn’t stop eating these. I did give the bacon squares a quick 30 second microwave to ensure it would cook through before threading the skewers with perfect results. Also presoaked the red onion squares in ice water to remove the bite. I didn’t even know I liked Burbon. Going to make these for next family BBQ. Thanks.
Yay! I'm so happy you enjoyed them as much as we have. Thanks for sharing your review!
Love these! I'm always looking for more ways to enjoy Summer food on sticks. Love the bacon in these and the luscious bbq sauce 🙂
Hi Chris, do you have a secret to get the bacon to cook well? When I have used bacon in kabobs. I find the inside is raw and the outside burnt. Any sage advice?
Hi Laura,
I've found, with this recipe, that the bacon does cook through. It won't get crispy in the very center (so it won't look like crisp bacon) although the outside edges will get nice and charred. But when you eat a piece, the edges make up for the not crisp center!
The nice thing about these skewers is that because of the bacon drippings basting everything, you can grill them a little longer to get the nice crisp edges on the bacon without the chicken breast drying out.
This recipe is sooo delicious!!! I definitely will be making it more often. I may try to throw some fresh pineapple on the kabobs before grilling bit I absolutely love this recipe!!!!
Thanks so much, Anna! And your addition of pineapple sounds delicious!
Whoa, I want to crash your house for dinner! These kabobs look terrific!! I know what you mean about old posts, but your photos look a heck of a lot better than the ones buried in my blog 🙂 Happy weekend!
Oh yes, this is my kind of dinner! Love the addition of bacon because bacon makes everything better 🙂 I love some of my old recipes, complete with my pitiful photos from the early years. But before I remake some of my oldies - I have to try this wonderful meal. Thanks! Pinned
Bourbon & Bacon, I'm on board with that!! Thanks Chris!
Yum!!! And my homemade BBQ would be amazing with the addition of bourbon and soy sauce!!! Thanks, Chris!
Thanks, Jo Anne, that sounds wonderful!
Sounds great!! I don't have Bourbon on hand... any other sub?? Barb
Hi Barb, you could just skip the Bourbon, it will still be delicious!