No more boring chicken meals for you!
These skewers are a lighter take on our favorite healthy chicken fingers, and they deliver the same satisfying crunch and flavor. By simplifying a few steps, you can have these skewers ready in about 45 minutes or less. Let’s be honest: food on a skewer is more fun than a plain, dry piece of chicken. Easy, quick, and delicious—what’s not to love?
Mr. How Sweet, however, would gladly eat plain chicken just because it’s chicken. He’s that person who finds comfort in simplicity and might even savor a dry piece of meat. I’m the opposite: I want a little something extra with my chicken fingers, strips, or skewers—especially dipping sauces. From horseradish to honey mustard to rich BBQ, I love bold and creative sauces. The wackier or fancier, the better. Meanwhile, Mr. How Sweet will happily drown his in ketchup.
If you’ve never made homemade BBQ sauce, you’re missing out. There’s nothing quite like a homemade sauce—it’s good enough to drink. I’ve been making this BBQ sauce long before I started blogging, and it remains one of my favorite staples. (That said, I still keep a few bottles of store-bought sauce in the fridge for convenience.)
These chicken skewers are also a crowd-pleaser at our house—a little peace offering when I splurge on basil, specialty shoes, or other foodie purchases that make Mr. How Sweet raise an eyebrow. A simple roasted chicken or a tray of skewers tends to smooth things over and distract from my latest indulgence.
Crispy Chicken Skewers
2
to 4
Ingredients
Crispy Chicken Skewers
- 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 3 egg whites
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or any flour)
- 1 tablespoon BBQ seasoning (such as McCormick’s)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Honey BBQ Sauce
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 5 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 tablespoon molasses
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon ground mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
Crispy Chicken Skewers
- Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 15 minutes to prevent burning.
- Cut chicken into cubes and tenderize slightly if desired. In one bowl, lightly beat the egg whites. In another bowl, mix panko, flour, 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, and 1/2 tablespoon BBQ seasoning. Prepare a wire rack on a baking sheet and spray it with non-stick spray.
- Season the chicken with the remaining salt, pepper, and BBQ seasoning. Dip each piece first in the egg whites, then coat with the panko mixture. Thread the pieces onto skewers—about 4–5 pieces per skewer depending on size—and arrange them on the wire rack. Lightly spray the skewers with non-stick spray or spritz with olive oil to promote browning without excessive smoke.
- Bake for 12 minutes, turn the skewers, then bake for another 12 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and golden. Serve hot with the honey BBQ sauce.
Honey BBQ Sauce
- Combine all sauce ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and reduces slightly. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
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I’m just glad I have enough chicken to last the rest of the week — which means I can keep experimenting and doing a little more damage in the kitchen.