Spicy Honey Chicken and Sweet Potato Kebabs
Sweet and spicy honey glazed chicken kebabs with sweet potato chunks and sweet onions. These kebabs are a perfect combination of sweet and spicy.
Honey Glazed Chicken Kebabs
If you’re a fan of chicken and sweet potatoes then I got something amazing for you. These sweet and spicy chicken potato kebabs are the most delicious combo of flavors.
Tossed in a flavorful spice mixture, grilled until juicy tender, and finished off with a sweet honey glaze. It’s kind of a meal in one without much extra effort. All you need is a house side and you have yourself a tasty summer meal.
Ingredients
To make these chicken and sweet potato kebabs, you’ll need:
- sweet potatoes
- chicken thighs
- sweet onion
- olive oil
- spices – garlic powder, chili powder, salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, and red chili flakes
- honey
- apple cider vinegar
Can You Use Chicken Breasts Instead of Thighs?
Yes, you totally can use chicken breasts. My biggest tip would be to cut the breast into similar size chunks as the onions and sweet potatoes to ensure it cooks evenly.
Also, make sure not to overcook the breast as it dries out easily. I would check for doneness around 6-7 minutes.
How to Make Honey Chicken Kebabs
These chicken sweet potato kebabs are made from scratch, including the spice mix + glaze in only about 30 minutes! Yes, half an hour and you will have a delicious, from scratch meal, on the table, for your whole family to enjoy.
- Step 1: Start off with par-boiling the sweet potatoes first. Peel the potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes. Place into a small saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, set your timer to 5 minutes and cook until they are nearly cooked through. Drain and transfer to a bowl to cool.
- Step 2: While the sweet potatoes are cooking, make your spice mixture, which consists of seven different spices. Then make the glaze, which is literally honey + apple cider vinegar whisked together.
- Step 3: Toss the chicken with half of the spice mixture. Divide the remaining spice mixture between the sweet potatoes and onions, and toss to combine.
- Step 4: Thread chicken, sweet potatoes, and onions onto the skewers. Make sure to soak the skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Brush the skewers with half of the honey glaze.
- Step 5: Cook on pre-heated grill over medium direct heat for about 8 minutes, turning frequently. Remove from grill and brush on the remaining glaze. If desired, garnish with fresh basil before serving.
How Do You Grill Kebabs?
First, preheat your gas grill on medium heat for direct grilling. Clean and oil the grates. I love to use a non-stick spray for easy application or you can dip a bunched-up paper towel into high-heat cooking oil, and using tongs, wipe the paper down on the grill grates.
When the grill is hot, add the chicken kebabs, and cook with the grill closed until the chicken is cooked through, about 8 minutes total, turning the kebabs frequently.
Tip! Soak the bamboo skewers for 30 minutes prior to use to prevent burning.
Side Dishes to Pair with Kebabs
We love to pair these kebabs with easy side dishes. Here are a few favorites:
Love kebab recipes? Try our Yogurt Marinated Chicken Kebabs, Chicken Skewer, or Grilled Garlic Shrimp.
PrintSpicy Honey Chicken and Sweet Potato Kebabs
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: American
Description
Sweet and spicy honey glazed chicken kebabs with sweet potato chunks and sweet onions. These kebabs are a perfect combination of sweet and spicy.
Ingredients
- 1–2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless, chicken thighs, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 large sweet onion, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks and layers separated
- 7 (12-inch) bamboo skewers*
- Fresh basil, optional
Spice Mix + Glaze
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
- 6 Tbsp. honey
- 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Place potato pieces into a small saucepan and add just enough water to cover the tops. Bring the water with potatoes to a boil over medium high heat, when boiling, set your timer to 5 minutes, and cook until potatoes are nearly cooked but still firm. Immediately drain and transfer to a bowl to cool.
- While the potatoes are cooling, prepare the spice mix + glaze by mixing together the olive oil with garlic powder, chili powder, salt, pepper, cumin, paprika and crushed red pepper. In a separate bowl, combine the honey and vinegar. Set aside.
- Toss chicken with half of the spice mixture. Divide the rest of the spice mixture between the potatoes and onions, and toss gently to combine.
- Thread the chicken, sweet potatoes, and onions onto the soaked skewers. You should approximately have a total of 7 skewers. Brush the skewers with half of the honey glaze.
- Pre-heat the grill on medium heat. Clean and oil the grates. Grill the chicken skewers for about 8 minutes, turning frequently, or until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove from the grill and brush on the rest of the honey glaze. Optional, sprinkle with thinly sliced basil before serving.
Notes
- Soak the bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes prior to use to prevent burning.
- You can substitute thighs with chicken breast. Start checking for doneness around 6 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 466
- Sugar: 29.2 g
- Sodium: 821.5 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Carbohydrates: 42.8 g
- Protein: 35.3 g
- Cholesterol: 159.8 mg
I initially thought this was a flop… they stuck to the grill and I had various pink chicken bits all over. I have never made kabobs before so its probably my fault (lack of experience). But I have to say if you have never made kabobs before, maybe don’t start with chicken since it has a high safe cook temp.
I was determined to fix them so I took them off the sticks, wrapped the chunks in foil (everything) and baked it at 350 F for about 20 min. Turned out well. Love the glaze/spice rub. I’d probably try this recipe again but skip the grill, and do it all in the oven.
Hi Hailey: I’m sorry the chicken stuck to the grill. The key is to make sure the grill is preheated and hot and to oil the grill grates before adding your chicken.
Can I use brown or red potatoes 🥔 instead of sweet potatoes.
The taste will be slightly different with other potatoes but I think as far as the texture it’ll be okay.
This recipe is delicious!!!! I made skewers with chicken and then another set with salmon. I cooked them on the grill and they came out AMAZING! This is a great winter grilling recipe and I will 100% be making them again.
Thank you Dorie! So glad you loved them.
I just made this tonight for dinner. Delicious!! I do have to add that I’m a big tweaket love to get the ideas then make them my own. I followed the recipe as fast as all the spices but I added pieces of steak half of the seasoning I added to chicken and steak then baked them in a cookie sheet, sepearate cookie sheet added diced sweet potatoes with skin still on it (didn’t boil potatoes) miked with onions diced peppers added rest of spice seasoning, baked both pans in oven at 400 degrees. Once all cooked mikes both pans together (meat and veggies. Was so yummy! Must add was delicious as was but for left overs/lunch for next day I felt needed some kind of wet sauce so I drisseled hoisin sauce over all the veggies and meat yummy ????
It sounds delicious! I always tweak recipes as well, even my own 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your feedback.
A quick google search of chicken and sweet potatoes (cause that’s what I had on hand) brought me to your recipe. Thank the dinner gods! Loved it! Didn’t have garlic salt so subbed garlic power and added a little more regular salt. Put the glaze on after I took them off the grill, because I didn’t want my grill to get too sticky. Husband coined a new term tonight. I ran out of skewers, so he called the extra pieces un-kabob-ulated.
Thanks so much Katie! So glad you made it work with what you had on hand!
Just made this and it was delicious! A thunderstorm kept me from grilling but baking everything in the oven with a side of asparagus and a pesto yogurt sauce was great! Thank you!
That’s awesome Taylor! So glad you enjoyed it and it worked out for you in the oven.
This was a perfect week night meal! It was quick and delicious. Great combination of spicy and sweet and filling with meat and potatoes. Thank you for the recipe.
Glad you enjoyed it Lauren!
Have made this many times and love it! I use garlic powder and smoked paprika. Dont have BBQ handy so after the sweet potatoes are cooked to tender, everything gets a sprinkle and goes in the oven. Baste with sauce.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying these kebabs Janet! Thank you for your feedback and happy new year!
This was so delicious and fun to make too! I broiled them in the oven and they turned out great. Thanks for the recipe!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Tanna! Broiling?…smart idea 🙂