Ever bitten into a chicken skewer, full of anticipation, only to be met with a dry, tough piece of meat? It’s a culinary disappointment we’ve all faced! Chicken on a stick should be tender, succulent, and bursting with flavor, not resemble sawdust on a skewer. For the longest time, I struggled with this too. I’d try marinades, different cooking times, everything, but those pesky skewers still sometimes came out drier than the Sahara.

But friends, I finally cracked the code! The secret to consistently juicy grilled chicken skewers is surprisingly simple, and it doesn’t involve complex techniques or fancy equipment. It’s all about a few key principles that ensure your chicken stays moist and delicious from the grill to your plate. Get ready to say goodbye to dry skewers forever and hello to perfectly cooked, flavorful chicken every single time!

Why These Juicy Grilled Chicken Skewers Are a Keeper

So, what makes this particular recipe stand out from the dry, disappointing chicken skewers of the past? It boils down to a few key factors:

Reliably Juicy: This recipe focuses on the critical steps needed to lock in moisture, guaranteeing tender results.
Simple, Flavorful Glaze: The honey mustard sauce isn’t just a glaze; it doubles as a serving sauce, adding a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors without being overly complicated.
Quick Cooking Time: Because chicken skewers cook fast, they’re perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu backyard cookouts. Less time cooking means less chance for the chicken to dry out!
Versatile: While fantastic on their own, these skewers are a perfect base for adding vegetables or serving alongside countless side dishes.
Easy to Make: You don’t need to be a grill master to make these; the steps are straightforward and easy to follow.

Gathering Your Ingredients for Succulent Chicken Skewers

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. We’re not using a laundry list of complex ingredients, but rather a few key players that work together beautifully to create flavor and ensure tenderness. You likely have many of these staples in your pantry right now!

Let’s look at what you’ll need to assemble before you start:

Chicken: You’ll need about 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken. The recipe works wonderfully with either chicken breasts or chicken thighs. Breasts are leaner and cook slightly faster, so you’ll need to be extra vigilant with their cooking time to prevent dryness. Thighs are naturally more forgiving due to their slightly higher fat content and are a great choice if you’re worried about overcooking. Whichever you choose, make sure it’s boneless and skinless for easy cubing and threading.
Save For Later!
Honey: This isn’t just for sweetness! Honey caramelizes beautifully on the grill, adding a lovely golden-brown exterior and a touch of sticky glaze that helps keep things moist. It brings a wonderful depth of flavor.
Dijon Mustard: Tangy, slightly sharp Dijon is essential for balancing the sweetness of the honey. It also helps create a beautiful emulsion for the sauce and adds a classic flavor pairing with chicken.
Apple Cider Vinegar: A splash of acidity is crucial here. The apple cider vinegar helps tenderize the chicken ever so slightly and brightens the overall flavor profile of the glaze.
Olive Oil: We’ll use olive oil in the sauce to help emulsify it and also for cooking on the grill or grill pan to prevent sticking and aid in getting those beautiful grill marks.
Salt and Black Pepper: Simple seasonings are all you need to enhance the natural flavor of the chicken before adding the glaze. Don’t be shy with these!
Fresh Parsley: A sprinkle of fresh, chopped parsley at the end adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous finish that really elevates the dish. It’s the perfect garnish.
Wooden or Metal Skewers: The vehicle for our delicious chicken! If using wooden skewers, make sure you have enough on hand. If you prefer reusable options, metal skewers work great too.

Having everything measured out and ready before you start makes the cooking process seamless and enjoyable. It’s called “mise en place” in cooking, and it truly makes a difference!

Crafting Your Juicy Grilled Chicken Skewers: Step-by-Step

Now for the fun part – assembling and cooking these glorious skewers! The process is straightforward, but paying close attention to a couple of key moments will ensure your chicken is perfectly juicy.

Prepare the Chicken: Start by taking your 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Using a sharp knife, cut the chicken into roughly 1-inch cubes. The goal here is uniformity. Why? Because uniform pieces cook at the same rate. If you have some large chunks and some small ones, the small pieces will overcook and dry out before the large pieces are done. Take a moment to eyeball them and make them as close in size as possible. Once cubed, place the chicken in a bowl and season it generously all over with salt and black pepper. This initial seasoning is important for building flavor.
Whip Up the Honey Mustard Sauce: In a small bowl, grab a whisk and combine your 1/4 cup of honey, 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Whisk everything together until it’s smooth and well combined. This creates our sweet and tangy magic sauce! Here’s a crucial step: before you use it for coating, set aside about half of this delicious sauce. This reserved portion will be drizzled over the finished skewers, adding an extra layer of fresh flavor that hasn’t been cooked down on the grill.
Thread the Chicken onto Skewers: Now it’s time to get threading! Grab your seasoned chicken cubes and your skewers. If you’re using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes beforehand. This prevents them from catching fire or burning excessively on the hot grill. Carefully thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers. An important tip here is not to pack the chicken pieces too tightly together. Leave a small gap between each piece (even just a tiny bit!). This allows the heat to circulate evenly around each piece of chicken, ensuring they cook through properly and don’t steam instead of grill.
Heat Your Grill: Preheat your outdoor grill or a large grill pan on your stovetop over medium-high heat. Achieving the right temperature is key to getting those nice grill marks and cooking the chicken quickly. Before adding the skewers, lightly brush or spray the grill grates or the surface of the grill pan with a little extra olive oil. This is your non-stick insurance policy and helps prevent the chicken from sticking.
Grill the Chicken (The Juicy Secret!): This is the moment that makes all the difference. Place the chicken skewers onto the hot, oiled grill or grill pan. Cook them for about 3 to 4 minutes per side. You’ll need to rotate the skewers to cook them evenly on all sides. The high heat is essential because it cooks the chicken fast, minimizing the time it has to release its precious juices and dry out. The MOST critical factor for juicy chicken is cooking it just until it’s done. The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). Using uniform pieces and that initial high heat helps you reach this temperature quickly. Do NOT walk away during this step – chicken cooks very fast on skewers!
Brush with Glaze: In the last minute or so of cooking, grab that delicious sauce you made in step 2 (the half you didn’t reserve). Lightly brush the cooking skewers with some of this sauce. The sugars in the honey will caramelize slightly, adding more flavor and that beautiful glazed look. Be careful not to brush too early, or the honey might burn. Reserve the other half of the sauce for serving.
Finish and Serve: Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, remove the skewers immediately from the heat. They will continue to cook slightly from residual heat (carryover cooking), so pulling them at 165°F is perfect. Drizzle the finished skewers generously with the sauce you reserved earlier. This adds a fresh, vibrant layer of flavor that complements the grilled chicken beautifully. Finally, sprinkle generously with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Follow these steps, focusing on that quick, high-heat cook and the target internal temperature, and you’ll be rewarded with incredibly juicy and flavorful chicken skewers!

Tips for Perfect Juicy Grilled Chicken Skewers Every Time

While the core recipe is simple, a few extra tips can elevate your chicken skewer game even further and ensure consistent success:

Don’t Skip the Meat Thermometer: I cannot stress this enough! An instant-read meat thermometer is your best friend when grilling chicken skewers. It’s the most accurate way to know when your chicken has reached the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) without overcooking it. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of a chicken piece, avoiding the skewer itself. Pulling them off the heat right at 165°F is the ultimate secret weapon against dry chicken.
Rest is Best: Just like larger cuts of meat, letting your chicken skewers rest for 5-10 minutes after coming off the grill allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. This makes them even more tender and juicy. You can loosely tent them with foil while they rest.
Veggie Power: Want to make it a complete meal on a stick? Feel free to thread vegetables like bell peppers, onions, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms onto the skewers alongside the chicken. Just be mindful of veggie size to ensure they cook at a similar rate to the chicken, or cook them on separate skewers if necessary.
Marinating vs. Glazing: This recipe uses a glaze that’s brushed on towards the end. For even deeper flavor, you could certainly marinate the chicken in half of the sauce mixture for 30 minutes to a couple of hours in the refrigerator before threading and grilling. Discard any marinade that the raw chicken was in before grilling, and use the reserved fresh sauce for brushing and serving.
Indoor Grilling: No outdoor grill? No problem! A grill pan on your stovetop works beautifully for this recipe. Ensure it’s properly preheated to medium-high heat and lightly oiled.
Storage and Reheating: Leftover chicken skewers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm them in a skillet over medium heat or in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until just heated through. Be careful not to overheat, or they can dry out.

What to Serve With Your Juicy Grilled Chicken Skewers

These honey mustard chicken skewers are incredibly versatile and pair well with a wide variety of side dishes, making meal planning a breeze. Since they cook quickly, you’ll have plenty of time to whip up something equally simple and delicious to go alongside.

For a classic pairing, you can’t go wrong with some fluffy rice. We even have a guide on how to make perfect fluffy rice every time! If you’re craving something heartier, a scoop of creamy mashed potatoes or some extra crispy roasted potatoes would be fantastic.

Looking for lighter options? A vibrant Greek salad or a simple summer tomato salad adds freshness. Grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or corn on the cob (grilled alongside the chicken!) are also excellent choices and keep the grilled theme going. For a quick and easy bread option, consider some cheesy garlic knots.

And don’t forget that reserved sauce! It makes a wonderful dipping sauce for both the chicken and any accompanying veggies or bread.

Your Juicy Grilled Chicken Skewers Questions Answered (FAQ)

Let’s tackle some common questions you might have about making chicken skewers, especially how to keep them juicy!

How do you get chicken skewers not to be dry?

The key to preventing dry chicken skewers is cooking them quickly over relatively high heat and, most importantly, cooking them just until they reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Using uniform piece sizes also helps ensure everything finishes cooking at the same time. Don’t rely solely on visual cues; use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness.

Should I marinate chicken skewers before grilling?

While not strictly necessary with this recipe’s method and glaze, marinating chicken skewers can add extra flavor and help tenderize the meat slightly. You can marinate the chicken in the honey mustard sauce mixture for 30 minutes up to 2 hours in the refrigerator before threading onto skewers. Just be sure to discard the marinade used for raw chicken and use a fresh batch for brushing and serving.

How long does it take chicken skewers to cook on the grill?

Chicken skewers cook very quickly over medium-high heat, typically only 3 to 4 minutes per side. The total cooking time is usually between 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the heat of your grill and the size of your chicken pieces. Always cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Can I make these chicken skewers ahead of time?

You can prepare the chicken cubes and make the sauce ahead of time. Keep the chicken seasoned and covered in the refrigerator (you can even marinate it for up to 2 hours). The sauce can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the fridge. Thread the skewers just before you are ready to grill for the best results.

What if I don’t have a grill?

No problem! These skewers cook beautifully on a large grill pan over medium-high heat on your stovetop. Follow the same steps for preheating, oiling, and cooking times, ensuring you still check the internal temperature for doneness.

Can I add vegetables to these skewers?

Absolutely! Adding chunks of bell peppers, red onion, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms to the skewers between the chicken pieces is a fantastic idea. Ensure the veggie pieces are roughly the same size as the chicken for even cooking. You might need to cook veggie-heavy skewers slightly longer or separate veggie-only skewers.

How do I prevent wooden skewers from burning?

Soaking wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes (or even longer) before threading helps them absorb moisture, which prevents them from catching fire or charring too much on the grill.

Enjoy Your Homemade Juicy Grilled Chicken Skewers!

There you have it – the simple secrets to making juicy, flavorful grilled chicken skewers that will impress everyone. No more dry, tough chicken! Just tender, succulent bites coated in a delicious honey mustard glaze. These skewers are perfect for backyard BBQs, easy weeknight dinners, or even meal prep.

Give this recipe a try and taste the difference that proper technique makes. We promise you won’t be disappointed!

Did you make these juicy grilled chicken skewers? We’d love to hear how they turned out! Leave a comment below and let us know your favorite tips or what you served them with. Happy Grilling!