Meta Description: Master the art of grilling with this delicious recipe for sweet chili chicken skewers. Perfect for a summer barbecue or a quick weeknight meal, these juicy skewers are packed with flavor.
☀️ The Summer Skewers: A Backyard Barbecue Staple
There’s something about a summer evening that just calls for a barbecue. The smell of charcoal and sizzling food in the air, the sound of friends and family laughing, and the simple joy of eating outdoors. For years, our grill was the domain of burgers and hot dogs. They were reliable, but honestly, a little boring. I wanted to add something new to the rotation, something with a big, bold flavor that would get people excited. I started thinking about the sweet and spicy flavors I loved from my favorite Thai restaurant. The glaze was always so addictive, a perfect balance of heat and sweetness. Could I bring that to the grill?
I decided to try my hand at chicken skewers with a simple sweet chili sauce. I used chicken thighs because they stay juicy and tender on the grill, unlike chicken breasts which can dry out.1 I marinated them in a quick mix of sweet chili sauce, a little soy sauce for saltiness, and some garlic and ginger for a fragrant kick. The first time I put them on the grill, a beautiful aroma filled the backyard. As the sauce caramelized, it formed a sticky, flavorful crust on the chicken. I remember pulling the first skewer off the grill, the chicken glistening in the evening light. One bite, and I knew I had found our new summer staple.
These grilled sweet chili chicken skewers are a complete game-changer. They’re easy to make, they cook quickly, and the flavor is absolutely irresistible. They are the perfect addition to any barbecue, and they always disappear in minutes. They’re a dish that feels like a special occasion but is simple enough for any weeknight.
🌶️ The Perfect Glaze: A Sweet and Spicy Symphony
The secret to these skewers is all in the glaze. While the grilling process gives the chicken a wonderful smoky char, the flavor comes from a simple but powerful marinade. The balance of flavors is what makes this dish so good.
Sweet chili sauce is the star ingredient. It provides the base of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. It’s a versatile sauce that works as both a marinade and a glaze.2 By using it in the marinade, you infuse the chicken with flavor from the inside out. Then, brushing it on during the grilling process creates a beautiful, caramelized crust on the outside of the chicken. The heat from the grill transforms the sugars in the sauce, making it sticky and golden.
Adding soy sauce to the marinade provides a crucial salty, savory element that balances the sweetness of the chili sauce.3 Garlic and ginger, classic aromatics, add a warm, fragrant complexity that makes the skewers feel more nuanced and flavorful.4 This combination of ingredients creates a glaze that is both vibrant and deeply savory, making the chicken incredibly juicy and delicious.5
The beauty of these grilled sweet chili chicken skewers is their simplicity. The prep is minimal, and the cooking time is short, which means you can have a gourmet-tasting meal on the table in no time.6 It’s a great recipe for anyone who loves grilling but wants to move beyond the basics.
✅ Ingredients You’ll Need
These skewers are made with a few key ingredients that pack a huge flavor punch. You can find everything at your local grocery store.
- For the Marinade and Glaze:
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use low sodium if you prefer)7
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice8
- 2 cloves garlic, minced9
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- For the Skewers:
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes10
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 small red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Wooden or metal skewers11
🍽️ Step-by-Step Instructions
Total preparation and cooking time: 45 minutes (including marinating time)
Follow these easy steps to create the most delicious chicken skewers. The key is to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors soak in.12
- Prep the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, and grated ginger. This will be both your marinade and your glaze. Set aside about ¼ cup of the marinade in a separate small bowl to use for brushing on the chicken later.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the cubed chicken thighs to the large bowl with the marinade.13 Stir to coat the chicken evenly. Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.14 Do not marinate for longer than 2 hours as the acid from the lime juice can affect the chicken’s texture.
- Prepare the Skewers: If you are using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning on the grill.15 Thread the marinated chicken, red bell pepper, and red onion pieces onto the skewers, alternating between the chicken and vegetables.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.16 Clean the grates and lightly oil them to prevent the skewers from sticking.
- Grill the Skewers: Place the skewers on the hot grill.17 Grill for 4-5 minutes per side, turning them a quarter turn every few minutes. Use the reserved ¼ cup of marinade to brush over the skewers as they cook. This creates a beautiful, sticky glaze. The skewers are done when the chicken is cooked through and has a nice char on the outside.
- Serve: Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro or sesame seeds.
🌟 Pro Tips for Perfect Skewers
- Use Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are the best choice for this recipe.18 They have a higher fat content than chicken breasts, which keeps them juicy and tender even on the high heat of the grill.
- Don’t Forget to Soak: If you’re using wooden skewers, soaking them is a crucial step.19 It prevents them from catching fire and ensures they hold up to the heat of the grill.20
- Cut Uniform Pieces: Make sure all your chicken and vegetable pieces are roughly the same size. This ensures they cook evenly.
- The Right Grill Heat: A medium-high grill is ideal.21 It’s hot enough to get a nice char and caramelize the sauce but not so hot that it will burn the outside of the chicken before the inside is cooked.
- Balance Your Skewers: Don’t pack the chicken and vegetables too tightly on the skewer.22 Leave a little space between each piece to allow the heat to circulate and cook everything evenly.23
🍽️ Creative Variations & Side Dish Suggestions
These grilled sweet chili chicken skewers are perfect on their own, but you can also mix and match ingredients or serve them with some delicious sides to make a complete meal.24
- Add a Sweet Element: For a touch of sweetness, add some pineapple chunks or mango to the skewers.25 The sweet fruit caramelizes beautifully on the grill and pairs perfectly with the spicy chicken.
- Make it Spicy: For a spicier kick, add a teaspoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the marinade.
- Different Veggies: Feel free to swap out the bell peppers and onions for other vegetables. Zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms would all be delicious additions.
- Side Dish Suggestions:
- Coconut Rice: A side of fluffy coconut rice would be the perfect complement to the sweet and spicy flavors of the skewers.
- Simple Asian Slaw: A crunchy slaw with a sesame vinaigrette would add a nice texture and a bit of freshness to the meal.26
- Grilled Vegetables: Grill some corn on the cob or asparagus alongside the skewers for a complete grilled meal.
❓ Common Questions Answered
- Why is my chicken tough? The most common reason for tough chicken on a skewer is overcooking. Chicken thighs cook quickly, so keep a close eye on them. The best way to know if they’re done is to check the internal temperature, which should be 165°F.27
- Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs? You can, but they tend to dry out more easily.28 If you use chicken breasts, make sure to cut them into uniform pieces and be careful not to overcook them.29
- Can I make this in the oven? Yes, you can! To make these in the oven, place the assembled skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.30 Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, turning them once halfway through.
| Nutritional Information (per skewer) | Amount |
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Protein | 25g |
| Fat | 15g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Carbohydrates | 12g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 8g |
This information is an estimate based on standard ingredients for one of six skewers and may vary.
✨ The Ultimate Summer Grilling Recipe
These grilled sweet chili chicken skewers are a must-have for your next barbecue. They are a true testament to the idea that a few simple ingredients can create a meal that is absolutely bursting with flavor. The combination of juicy chicken, tender-crisp vegetables, and a sticky, sweet-and-spicy glaze is a match made in heaven.
Whether you’re looking for a new weeknight meal or a show-stopping dish for a summer gathering, this recipe is a perfect choice. It’s so easy and delicious that it will quickly become a favorite in your household.
Give this recipe a try and let me know how it goes! What are your favorite things to grill in the summer?
