Barbecued Chicken Kebabs Cooks Illustrated Recipe

Name: Barbecued Chicken Kebabs Cooks Illustrated
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: Barbecue Sauce; 1/2 cup ketchup; 1/4 cup molasses; 2 tablespoons onions, grated; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon light brown sugar; Kebabs; 2 lbs chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 2 tablespoons sweet paprika; 4 teaspoons sugar; 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; 2 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces; 48 inches metal skewers

Servings: persons

Barbecue Sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoons onions, grated
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
Kebabs
2 lbs chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons sweet paprika
4 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
48 inches metal skewers

1
Add the chicken and salt to a large bowl and stir to combine. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2
Meanwhile, make the barbecue sauce:
3
Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan. Set over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and reduces to about 1 cup.
4
Set aside 1/2 cup of the sauce to serve with the cooked chicken, the other 1/2 cup is for brushing the kebabs.
5
Preheat your grill - turn the burners to high, close the lid and let heat for at least 15 minutes.
6
Meanwhile, use paper towels to pat chicken dry.
7
Mix the sweet paprika, sugar and smoked paprika together in a small bowl.
8
Add the bacon to your food processor and pulse until the bacon becomes a smooth paste, about 30-45 seconds, scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice.
9
Combine the chicken, spice mixture and bacon paste in a large bowl and use your hands to mix and coat the chicken evenly.
10
Thread the chicken onto the skewers.
11
Leave one burner of your grill on high and turn the others off. Place the kebabs over the hot burner, and grill (covered), giving them a quarter turn every 2 minutes, until browned and slightly charred on all sides, about 8 minutes.
12
If a flare-up occurs, just move the kebabs to the cool side of the grill temporarily.
13
Brush one side of the kebabs with about 1/4 cup sauce then flip and cook until the sauce browns a bit, about 1 minute.
14
Brush the other side with the remaining 1/4 cup sauce, flip and cook until brown, about 1 more minute. The chicken should register 160 F on an instant read thermometer.
15
Transfer the kebabs to a platter and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with 1/2 cup reserved sauce.

563

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 16 ingredients. The key ingredients include: Barbecue Sauce, 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup molasses, 2 tablespoons onions, grated, and more.

Yes, Barbecued Chicken Kebabs Cooks Illustrated falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Barbecued Chicken Kebabs Cooks Illustrated

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions