Why You’ll Love These Bacon Wrapped Chicken Skewers

There are countless reasons why these bacon wrapped chicken skewers have become a fan favorite. Firstly, their simplicity is unmatched – with just a few core ingredients, you can create a truly spectacular dish. Secondly, the flavor profile is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser; the smoky, salty bacon perfectly complements the tender, savory chicken, while the sweet and tangy BBQ glaze adds an irresistible finish. Finally, they are incredibly versatile, making them ideal for everything from a quick weeknight meal to an impressive party appetizer. They’re easy to prepare ahead of time, cook relatively quickly, and are always a hit with both kids and adults.

This recipe is designed to be straightforward, even for novice grillers, yet yields results that taste like they came from a gourmet kitchen. The secret lies in a few simple techniques and quality ingredients, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor and satisfying texture. Get ready to add this amazing dish to your regular rotation!

Essential Ingredients for Bacon Wrapped Chicken Skewers

While the recipe boasts minimal ingredients, selecting quality components is key to maximizing flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Chicken Thighs: I highly recommend using chicken thighs for this recipe. They are naturally fattier and more flavorful than chicken breasts, which helps them stay incredibly juicy during grilling. Their robust texture also holds up beautifully to the wrapping and grilling process. While chicken breasts can be substituted, thighs offer a superior taste and moisture retention.
• Bacon: Choose a good quality, standard-cut bacon. Thick-cut bacon might take longer to crisp up and could potentially burn before the chicken is fully cooked. The bacon acts as a protective, flavorful wrap around the seasoned chicken, basting it in delicious fat as it cooks and creating that irresistible crispy exterior.
• BBQ Sauce: A key player in the flavor profile, your choice of BBQ sauce can significantly impact the final taste. Feel free to use your favorite store-bought sauce for convenience, or elevate the dish with a homemade version. A sweet and tangy sauce works particularly well, caramelizing beautifully on the grill to form a delectable glaze.
• Seasoning: An all-purpose seasoning blend is essential for enhancing the chicken’s natural flavor before it’s wrapped in bacon. A good rub will typically include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and a touch of cayenne for a subtle kick. This layer of seasoning ensures that even with the bacon, the chicken itself is bursting with taste.

Step 1: Preparing the Chicken and Bacon

The preparation phase is crucial for ensuring your skewers cook evenly and deliver maximum flavor. As mentioned, I prefer using chicken thighs because their higher fat content makes them inherently more flavorful and forgiving on the grill. They remain wonderfully tender, even when cooked to a slightly higher internal temperature. However, if you opt for chicken breast, it will also work well, remaining tender due to the protective bacon wrap, though it is a leaner cut.

Begin by carefully cutting the chicken into approximately 1-inch bite-sized cubes. Consistency in size is important here to ensure all pieces cook uniformly. Once cubed, generously season the chicken pieces. For an exceptional flavor foundation, I highly recommend Dad’s All Purpose Rub, which is specifically formulated to enhance grilled meats. If you don’t have it, a robust blend of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika will do the trick.

Next, prepare your bacon. Slice each strip of bacon into three equal pieces. This ensures that each chicken nugget gets a perfect, snug wrap without excess bacon hanging off and potentially burning. Wrap one small strip of bacon around each seasoned chicken cube, securing it tightly. Once wrapped, thread the bacon-wrapped chicken pieces onto your skewers. Aim for about 4-5 pieces per skewer, leaving a small space between each piece to allow for even cooking and proper airflow on the grill. Be sure not to pack them too tightly.

Step 2: Grilling Your Bacon Wrapped Chicken Skewers to Perfection

Grilling these skewers requires a balanced approach to ensure the chicken is cooked through and the bacon achieves that desired crispness without burning. Start by preheating your grill to a medium-low temperature, around 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). It’s crucial to set up your grill for indirect heat. This means creating a zone where the skewers are not directly over the flame, which helps prevent the bacon from burning before the chicken is fully cooked.

Once your grill is preheated and set for indirect heat, carefully place the loaded skewers on the grates. Close the lid and let them grill for approximately 30 minutes. The cooking time can vary based on your grill’s temperature consistency and the thickness of your chicken and bacon, so monitoring is key. You’re aiming for the chicken to reach an internal temperature of 175 degrees Fahrenheit (79°C). Now, I know what you might be thinking – 175 degrees for chicken seems high, as the standard for chicken breast is typically 165 degrees. However, because we are using darker, fattier chicken thighs, they can withstand and even benefit from this slightly higher temperature, resulting in incredibly tender and juicy meat with no risk of being overcooked and dry.

Halfway through the cooking process, roughly at the 15-minute mark, it’s time to introduce the BBQ sauce. Open your grill and carefully brush each skewer generously with your chosen BBQ sauce. This allows the sauce to gently caramelize over the bacon and chicken, creating a fantastic sweet and savory crust that seals in moisture and adds a burst of flavor. Be mindful not to apply the sauce too early, as the sugars in most BBQ sauces can burn if exposed to high heat for too long.

For those who love to customize, consider making your own BBQ sauce. My quick and easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe offers a delightful sweet and tangy profile that perfectly complements these skewers. After basting, close the grill and continue cooking until the chicken reaches the target internal temperature and the bacon is crispy. Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a chicken piece (avoiding the skewer) to verify doneness.

Once cooked, remove the bacon wrapped chicken skewers from the grill. It’s crucial to let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices within the chicken to redistribute, ensuring every bite is as moist and flavorful as possible. Enjoy these delectable skewers as an appetizer, a main course, or a party favorite!

Serving Suggestions and Variations

These Bacon Wrapped Chicken Skewers are incredibly versatile and can be paired with a variety of sides to create a complete meal. For a classic barbecue experience, serve them alongside creamy coleslaw, grilled corn on the cob, or a fresh potato salad. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette also makes a refreshing counterpoint to the rich flavors of the skewers. If you’re hosting a party, consider a platter with different dipping sauces beyond just BBQ, like a spicy sriracha mayo or a cool ranch dip.

Feel free to get creative with variations! You can add small pieces of bell peppers, onions, or even pineapple chunks between the chicken and bacon on the skewers for added flavor and visual appeal. Experiment with different seasoning rubs on the chicken before wrapping, or try various types of BBQ sauces – from smoky chipotle to sweet honey mustard – to suit your preference. You can also sprinkle a little brown sugar over the bacon before grilling for an extra caramelized crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Similar Grilled Skewers and Grilling Recipe Ideas:

If you loved these bacon-wrapped chicken skewers, you’ll be excited to explore more fantastic grilling recipes. Skewers are a wonderfully versatile way to enjoy a variety of meats and vegetables, perfect for any outdoor cooking adventure. From succulent seafood to savory beef and more chicken creations, these recipes offer diverse flavors and techniques to expand your grilling skills and delight your palate.

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Fish & Seafood

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Beef

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Check out the Recipes Page for other tasty grilling ideas and culinary adventures!