Pellet Smoked BBQ Chicken Skewers

Effortless Pellet Grill BBQ Chicken Skewers: A Two-Ingredient Recipe for Juicy Grilled Perfection

Transform your outdoor cooking experience with these incredibly simple yet irresistibly delicious Pellet Grill Barbecue Chicken Skewers. Requiring just two basic, budget-friendly ingredients, this recipe consistently ranks among our favorite weeknight dinners, standing proudly alongside beloved dishes like Grilled Huli Huli Chicken. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or new to the world of pellet grilling, these skewers promise a flavorful and stress-free meal that the whole family will adore.

The Essential Two Ingredients for Delicious Barbecue Chicken Skewers

The beauty of this recipe lies in its minimalist approach. With only two core components, you can create a meal bursting with classic barbecue flavor. This simplicity makes it perfect for busy evenings or when you want to minimize your grocery list without sacrificing taste.

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: These are the star protein, chosen specifically for their superior flavor and ability to remain incredibly juicy throughout the grilling process.
• Barbecue Sauce: The cornerstone of that unmistakable BBQ taste. The choice is entirely yours – opt for your favorite homemade barbecue sauce for a personalized touch, or select a high-quality store-bought variety for ultimate convenience.
• Skewer Sticks: While not a consumable ingredient, reliable skewer sticks are crucial for this recipe.

Beyond these, a touch of salt and pepper can enhance the flavor, though the barbecue sauce typically provides ample seasoning. Feel free to experiment with different barbecue sauce styles, from sweet and smoky to tangy and spicy, to perfectly match your palate.

Elevate Flavor: What Pellets Should You Use for This Recipe?

The type of wood pellets you choose for your pellet grill significantly influences the final smoky flavor of your chicken. While this recipe is versatile enough to work with any variety, certain pellets truly amplify the barbecue experience.

Our top recommendations for these Pellet Grill Barbecue Chicken Skewers are **hickory** or **mesquite**. These robust woods are renowned for delivering a rich, intense smoky flavor that is characteristic of classic barbecue. Hickory offers a strong, bacon-like aroma, while mesquite provides an even more assertive, earthy smoke that pairs beautifully with savory chicken and tangy BBQ sauce.

For those who prefer a milder smoke, or a slightly sweeter profile, consider alternatives like **applewood** or **cherrywood** pellets. Applewood imparts a subtle, fruity smoke that complements poultry wonderfully, adding a touch of sweetness without overpowering the barbecue sauce. Cherrywood offers a similar light, sweet smoke with a beautiful reddish hue to the cooked chicken.

Remember, the pellets are not just fuel; they are a key flavor ingredient. Selecting the right wood type will directly enhance the taste profile of your grilled chicken, infusing it with that desirable smoky depth that only a pellet grill can provide. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different blends to find your personal favorite combination!

Chicken Thighs vs. Chicken Breast: Why Thighs are Superior for Skewers

When preparing barbecue chicken skewers, the choice of meat cut makes a significant difference in the final outcome. For this recipe, we strongly advocate for using boneless, skinless chicken thighs over chicken breasts. There are several compelling reasons for this preference:

• Unmatched Juiciness: Chicken thighs have a higher fat content than breasts. This natural marbling helps them stay incredibly moist and tender during the high heat of grilling, preventing them from drying out – a common issue with leaner chicken breasts.
• Superior Flavor: The dark meat of chicken thighs boasts a richer, more robust flavor that stands up beautifully to the bold notes of barbecue sauce and wood smoke.
• Better Texture: Thighs maintain a pleasant, succulent texture when cooked, whereas breasts can become stringy or tough if overcooked.
• Ideal for Skewering: Chicken thighs, especially after being sliced lengthwise, lay more evenly and securely on skewer sticks. Their natural shape and flexibility make them easier to weave onto the skewers, ensuring a more consistent cook and an attractive presentation. Chicken breasts tend to be thicker and can be harder to slice uniformly for skewering, often leading to uneven cooking.

By opting for chicken thighs, you guarantee a more flavorful, juicier, and overall more enjoyable barbecue chicken skewer experience. Your taste buds will thank you!

Pro Tips for Making Perfect Pellet Grill Barbecue Chicken Skewers

Achieving perfectly grilled barbecue chicken skewers is simpler than you might think. Follow these expert tips to ensure every bite is bursting with flavor and juiciness:

• Choose the Right Skewers: Investing in reusable metal skewer sticks is a game-changer. Unlike wooden skewers that can burn and often require soaking, metal skewers are durable, easy to clean, and promote more even cooking. They are readily available at most major retailers like Walmart or Target. If using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent charring.
• Prepare the Chicken Correctly: Once your boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ready, lay each one flat on a cutting board. Carefully slice the chicken in half lengthwise, creating two thinner pieces from each thigh. This technique ensures the chicken cooks more evenly and allows it to be threaded onto the skewer sticks in a neat, accordion-like fashion.
• The Weaving Technique: To secure the chicken firmly and maximize surface area for char, weave each sliced piece onto the skewer stick. This means threading the chicken on, then folding it over itself, and threading it again, creating a zig-zag pattern. Each skewer will effectively hold one full chicken thigh, cut and woven to fit perfectly. This method prevents the chicken from spinning on the skewer and ensures uniform exposure to heat and smoke.
• Generous Sauce Application: After all the chicken has been skillfully threaded onto the skewers, it’s time for the barbecue sauce. Liberally coat each piece of chicken with your chosen sauce. Don’t be shy – a generous layer of sauce not only provides incredible flavor but also helps create a beautiful caramelized crust as it cooks on the grill. You can reserve some fresh sauce for serving later.

• Grill to Perfection: Preheat your pellet grill to a consistent 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This medium-high heat allows for a good sear while ensuring the chicken cooks through without drying out. Place the coated skewers directly on the grates. Grill for approximately 10-12 minutes on the first side.
• The Flip and Finish: After the initial grilling time, carefully flip the skewers to cook the other side. Continue grilling for an additional 10-12 minutes. The total cooking time can vary slightly depending on the thickness of your chicken and the specific heat of your grill.
• Monitor Internal Temperature: For the safest and most delicious results, always rely on an accurate meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of a chicken piece, avoiding the skewer. The grilled chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) to be considered thoroughly cooked and safe to eat. Many pellet grills come with built-in probes, which are incredibly convenient for real-time temperature monitoring.
• Rest Before Serving: Once the chicken reaches the desired internal temperature, remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for 5-10 minutes. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in even juicier and more tender chicken.

These Pellet Grill Barbecue Chicken Skewers are designed to be a simple, frugal, and incredibly satisfying meal. They pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes, from crisp salads to hearty grilled vegetables. For an exceptional side, consider serving them alongside Smoked Mushrooms, adding another layer of smoky goodness to your plate!

Should your gathering require more than four skewers, simply scale up the ingredients proportionally. Add additional chicken thighs, barbecue sauce, and skewer sticks as needed to accommodate your guests.

Created by: Kristy Still

Pellet Grill Barbecue Chicken Skewers

Course Grilling

Cuisine American

Servings 4 Skewers

Create the easiest and most flavorful Pellet Grill Barbecue Chicken Skewers using just TWO ingredients! This simple recipe delivers tender, smoky chicken perfect for any meal.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

• 4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
• 4 Metal Skewer Sticks
• 1 Cup Barbecue Sauce

Instructions

• Preheat your pellet grill to 450°F (232°C). Ensure it reaches and holds this temperature consistently before adding the skewers.
• On a clean cutting board, carefully cut each boneless, skinless chicken thigh in half lengthwise. This creates thinner, more uniform pieces ideal for skewering.
• Take one metal skewer stick. Carefully thread or weave two halves of cut chicken thigh onto each skewer, creating an accordion-like shape. This method ensures each skewer holds the equivalent of one whole chicken thigh, cut to fit better and cook more evenly.
• Pour approximately 1/2 cup of your chosen barbecue sauce into a shallow dish. Reserve the remaining sauce in its original container for serving.
• Generously coat each prepared chicken skewer with the barbecue sauce from the dish. Ensure all surfaces of the chicken are covered for maximum flavor and a nice char.
• Place the coated skewers on the preheated pellet grill. Grill at 450°F for 10-12 minutes on the first side. Carefully flip the skewers and continue to grill for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the meat.
• Once cooked, carefully remove the barbecue chicken skewers from the grill. Let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving with the reserved fresh barbecue sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

This recipe yields 4 servings. If you need to make a larger quantity, simply adjust the amounts of chicken thighs, barbecue sauce, and skewer sticks accordingly. Ensure even cooking by not overcrowding the grill. Always use a meat thermometer for accurate internal temperature readings.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Skewer |
Calories: 257kcal |
Carbohydrates: 29g |
Protein: 22g |
Fat: 5g |
Saturated Fat: 1g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 2g |
Trans Fat: 0.02g |
Cholesterol: 107mg |
Sodium: 837mg |
Potassium: 443mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 24g |
Vitamin A: 187IU |
Vitamin C: 0.4mg |
Calcium: 34mg |
Iron: 1mg