Print

Flavorful Firecracker Chicken Skewers with Honey Glaze

firecracker chicken skewers - featured image

These firecracker chicken skewers combine a spicy marinade with a sweet honey glaze, delivering a perfect balance of heat and sweetness. Quick and easy to prepare, they are ideal for summer gatherings and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or neutral oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 cup (85 grams) honey
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (for glaze)
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes or a pinch of cayenne (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
  • Bamboo or metal skewers (soaked if bamboo)
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh cilantro or green onions

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade by whisking together soy sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, olive oil, and smoked paprika in a medium bowl.
  2. Trim excess fat from chicken thighs and cut into 1-inch pieces.
  3. Add chicken pieces to the marinade, toss to coat, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
  4. If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
  5. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving space between pieces.
  6. Make the honey glaze by whisking honey, soy sauce, chili flakes (if using), and lime juice in a small bowl.
  7. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C).
  8. Grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, brushing with honey glaze each time you turn, for a total of 12-15 minutes.
  9. Check that chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) or juices run clear.
  10. Remove skewers from heat and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and glaze to set.
  11. Garnish with chopped cilantro or green onions if desired and serve.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes for best flavor; soak bamboo skewers to prevent burning; start glazing after a few minutes of grilling to avoid burning honey; rest skewers after grilling to keep them juicy; adjust spice levels by modifying sriracha and chili flakes; can be broiled or cooked in a cast-iron skillet if no grill is available.

Nutrition

Keywords: firecracker chicken skewers, honey glaze chicken, spicy chicken skewers, grilled chicken, summer BBQ recipe, easy chicken skewers, honey sriracha chicken