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Bourbon Bacon BBQ Chicken Kebabs

Bourbon chicken kebabs with bacon wrapped chunks and a smoky sweet bourbon BBQ glaze. Grilled until the bacon is crisp and the chicken reaches 165°F for juicy, charred party food.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
marinating 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken breasts
  • 2 lb chicken breasts cut into chunks
Bacon
  • 12 slices bacon cut in half
Bourbon BBQ glaze
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce use 1/2 cup
  • 1 cup bourbon use 1/4 cup
  • 1 cup brown sugar use 2 tablespoons
  • 1 cup Worcestershire sauce use 1 tablespoon
Skewers
  • 1 count wooden skewers soaked
Optional vegetables
  • 1 bell peppers and onions optional, to alternate on the skewers

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Wrap the chicken
  1. Wrap each chicken chunk with half a bacon slice and secure, creating a tight bacon layer around the meat.
Make bourbon BBQ marinade
  1. Mix BBQ sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce until the glaze looks smooth and glossy.
Marinate
  1. Marinate the wrapped chicken for 1-4 hours so the bacon and chicken pick up smoky sweet flavor.
Assemble kebabs
  1. Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers, alternating with bell peppers and onions if using, so each piece is evenly spaced for grilling.
Grill
  1. Grill over medium heat for 6-7 minutes per side, basting with marinade each time you flip, until the bacon starts to crisp and caramelize.
  2. Continue grilling until the bacon is crispy and the chicken reaches 165°F, then pull off the grill and rest briefly before serving.

Notes

Pro tip: If you want extra-busy sauce coverage, reserve a small portion of the bourbon BBQ mixture before marinating and use it for basting during grilling. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days; reheat on a grill or skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended for best bacon texture. For a lower-fat swap, use turkey bacon instead of bacon and marinate as directed.