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Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers – Sweet & Spicy BBQ Recipe

These hot honey chicken skewers bring together the perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and zesty flavors that make them an instant hit at any BBQ or dinner table. The lemon pepper grilled chicken gets a boost from the hot honey glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the grill, creating that sticky-sweet coating everyone loves. These BBQ chicken skewers recipe takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, making them perfect for weeknight dinners or last-minute entertaining when you want maximum flavor with minimal effort.

up close on 4 chicken skewers on a black plate

Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers

Sweet, spicy, and zesty grilled chicken thigh skewers with hot honey glaze and bold lemon pepper seasoning

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

12 min

Total Time

27 min

Servings

6-8

Calories

265/serving

Ingredients

For the Chicken Skewers:

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1.5-inch chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Wooden or metal skewers

For the Hot Honey Glaze:

½ cup hot honey
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon melted butter
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Why Hot Honey Chicken Skewers Are Perfect for BBQ Season

Hot honey has become incredibly popular because it gives you the best of both worlds – sweetness from honey and heat from chili peppers. When you combine this with lemon pepper seasoning, you get layers of flavor that work together instead of fighting each other. The honey helps the chicken develop a beautiful caramelized crust on the grill, while the lemon pepper adds brightness that cuts through the richness.

Using chicken thighs instead of breasts makes a huge difference in these sweet and spicy chicken skewers. Thighs have more fat and stay juicier during grilling, so you don’t have to worry about them drying out. They also have more flavor on their own, which means they can stand up to the bold seasonings and glaze. The fat in the thighs helps carry the flavors and creates better browning when you grill them.

The quick cooking time is what makes these grilled chicken skewers with hot honey so practical for busy nights. Since you’re cutting the chicken into chunks, they cook much faster than whole pieces. The glaze goes on during the last few minutes of cooking, so it caramelizes without burning. This means you get that sticky, glossy finish that looks impressive but doesn’t require any special techniques.

Getting the Best Flavor from Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken

Lemon pepper seasoning is more than just lemon and pepper – good blends include garlic, onion, and herbs that add complexity to the flavor. When you combine it with smoked paprika and garlic powder, you’re building layers of flavor that complement the hot honey glaze. The key is to let the seasoning sit on the chicken for a few minutes before grilling so it can start working into the meat.

The olive oil serves multiple purposes in this recipe. It helps the dry seasonings stick to the chicken and creates better browning on the grill. It also prevents the chicken from sticking to the grates, which is especially important when you’re dealing with smaller pieces on skewers. Don’t skip the oil – it’s not just for cooking, it’s part of the flavor system.

Fresh lemon juice and zest in the glaze brighten up the whole dish and keep it from being too heavy. The lemon juice adds acidity that balances the sweetness of the honey, while the zest gives you those essential oils that really pop with flavor. Using both juice and zest gives you more lemon flavor without making the glaze too thin or acidic.

Grilling Techniques for Perfect Sweet and Spicy Chicken Skewers

grilled chicken skewers on a hasty bake grill

Getting the grill temperature right is crucial for these hot honey chicken skewers. Medium-high heat (375-400°F) gives you enough heat to get good searing and char without cooking the chicken so fast that the inside doesn’t keep up. If your grill runs hot, you might need to adjust down a bit, especially once you start applying the glaze.

Spacing the chicken pieces on the skewers might seem like a small detail, but it makes a big difference in how evenly everything cooks. Leave a little space between each piece so hot air can circulate around them. If the pieces are touching, you’ll get uneven cooking and some spots won’t develop that nice crust you want.

The timing of the glaze application is important for getting the right texture and preventing burning. Apply it during the last 2 minutes of cooking when the chicken is almost done. This gives the sugars in the honey enough time to caramelize and create that glossy coating, but not so much time that they burn and turn bitter. Keep some extra glaze on the side for serving – people always want more of that sweet-spicy sauce.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Skewers:

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1.5-inch chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Wooden or metal skewers

For the Hot Honey Glaze:

½ cup hot honey
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon melted butter
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Skewers and Preheat Grill

If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken. This prevents them from burning on the grill and makes them easier to handle. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 375-400°F. Make sure your grill grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking. This prep work is important for getting good results and makes the actual cooking process much smoother.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Cut the chicken thighs into uniform 1.5-inch chunks so they cook evenly. In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil first – this helps the seasonings stick better. Add the lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix everything well with your hands or tongs to make sure every piece is evenly coated with oil and seasonings. Let this sit for a few minutes while you prepare the glaze.

Step 3: Make the Hot Honey Glaze

In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the hot honey, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, melted butter, and red pepper flakes if you want extra heat. Warm this mixture gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring to combine all the ingredients. Don’t let it boil – you just want to warm it and mix everything together. The butter will help the glaze stick to the chicken and add richness. Set aside and keep warm.

Step 4: Thread Chicken onto Skewers

Thread the seasoned chicken chunks onto the soaked skewers, leaving small gaps between each piece for even cooking. Don’t pack them too tightly together. Depending on the size of your skewers, you should be able to fit 4-5 pieces per skewer. Make sure the pieces are secure but not squished together. This spacing helps hot air circulate around each piece for better browning.

Step 5: Grill the Chicken Skewers

grilled chicken skewers on the hasty bake

Place the skewers on the preheated grill and cook for 10-12 minutes total, turning every 3-4 minutes to ensure even cooking on all sides. The chicken should develop nice grill marks and start to look golden brown. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the chicken. Don’t move them around too much – let them develop those good grill marks.

Step 6: Apply the Glaze

During the last 2 minutes of cooking time, brush the chicken skewers generously with the hot honey glaze using a pastry brush or silicone brush. Turn the skewers once more and brush the other side. The glaze should bubble and caramelize slightly, creating a glossy, sticky coating. Watch carefully to make sure the sugars don’t burn – if they start to get too dark, move the skewers to a cooler part of the grill.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

final shot of chicken on a plate with hasty bake in the background

Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for 2-3 minutes. This brief rest allows the juices to redistribute and the glaze to set slightly. Drizzle with any remaining glaze and serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges on the side. The skewers are best eaten hot when the glaze is still slightly warm and sticky.

hot honey lemon chicken skewers on a plate