Some recipes are good. Some recipes are “make these every weekend until September” good. These Bourbon BBQ Chicken Skewers with Bacon for an Easy Grilled Dinner? Yeah, they belong in the second category.
Because let’s be honest—adding bacon to dinner is already a strong life choice. But blending it into a bold, savory paste and slathering it all over juicy chicken before grilling? That’s next-level backyard BBQ behavior, and frankly, I support it. Fully.
These aren’t just regular Chicken Bacon Kabobs pretending to be exciting. They’re smoky, juicy, sweet, a little sticky, and packed with serious flavor in every bite. The bacon keeps the chicken rich and tender, while the bourbon-spiked BBQ sauce brings that sweet-meets-smoky finish that makes you immediately reach for “just one more” skewer. Then another. Then maybe a third. No judgment.
What makes these Bourbon Bbq Chicken Skewers stand out? Big flavor without a complicated process. You’re not juggling ten fancy steps or ingredients nobody has ever heard of. You’re taking chicken, bacon, spices, and BBQ sauce and turning them into something wildly cookout-worthy. That’s a pretty solid deal, IMO.
And let’s talk grill appeal. These Grilled Chicken Kebabs With Bacon And Bbq Sauce look impressive, smell ridiculous in the best way, and fit basically every warm-weather gathering on the calendar. Memorial Day? Perfect. Father’s Day? Obviously. Fourth of July? Absolutely. Random Tuesday because the weather is nice? Also valid.
Whether you call them Bourbon Chicken Skewers, Bourbon Chicken Skewers Grilled, or full-on Bacon Bourbon Barbecue Chicken Kabobs, one thing is clear: these skewers know how to steal the show. They’re right at home next to your favorite Bourbon Bacon Chicken Kabobs, Bacon Bourbon Bbq Chicken Kebabs, and Bacon Bourbon Barbeque Chicken Kabobs lineup.
Pro tip: make extra. Seriously. These disappear faster than your “I’ll just have one bite” self-control. FYI, summer dinner doesn’t get much better than this.
BBQ Chicken Kebabs for the Ultimate Summer Grill Night
Ingredients
Method
1. Preheat the Grill
Heat your grill to medium-high so it’s ready to go once the skewers are assembled.2. Make the Bourbon BBQ Sauce
In a small bowl, stir together the barbecue sauce and bourbon until fully blended. Set aside for later.3. Prepare the Bacon Spice Mixture
Add the salt, white pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, smoked paprika, brown sugar, and chopped bacon to a food processor. Blend until the mixture turns into a smooth, spreadable paste.4. Coat the Chicken
Place the chicken thigh pieces in a large bowl. Add the bacon mixture and toss well until every piece is evenly covered.5. Build the Skewers
Thread the coated chicken onto skewers.If you’re using wooden skewers, make sure they’ve been soaked in water beforehand to help prevent burning.6. Grill the Kebabs
Place the skewers on the hot grill and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is almost fully cooked through.7. Brush with Sauce
During the final couple of minutes, brush the skewers generously with the bourbon BBQ sauce. Grill for about 1 more minute per side so the sauce gets sticky and caramelized.8. Serve
Remove the kebabs from the grill and serve hot with the extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling.Notes
Notes
This recipe makes extra bourbon BBQ sauce, which is great for serving alongside the skewers.If you’d rather avoid leftovers, you can simply cut the sauce ingredients in half and still have enough for cooking and serving.