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Bourbon Bacon BBQ Chicken Kebabs Recipe

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Jessica Pinney Avatar

Author

Jessica Pinney

Published

Jun. 15, 2015

Updated

Mar. 7, 2024
Bourbon Bacon BBQ Chicken Kebobs Recipe

We just got a new grill and I knew the first thing I cooked on it had to be something worthy. Since this recipe combines the glorious tastes of bourbon, bacon, and bbq sauce, I thought it fit the bill.

Bourbon Bacon BBQ Chicken Kebabs Recipe

You may be looking at the photos and saying, “Hey, where’s the bacon??” Well, the bacon in this recipe is actually made in to a delicious paste that you then coat the chicken with before grilling.

Whoa! Who even knew bacon paste was a thing? After making these kebabs, I’m pretty sure everything should be covered in bacon paste before cooking!

Bourbon Bacon BBQ Chicken Kebabs

Bourbon Bacon BBQ Chicken Kebab Ingredients:

  • BBQ Sauce
  • Bourbon
  • Chicken Breast
  • Bacon
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Brown Sugar
  • Salt & Pepper
Bourbon Bacon BBQ Chicken Kebabs Recipe

More Grilling Recipes

  • Grilled Pork Loin Sliders with Spicy Slaw
  • Bacon Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Burgers
  • Cheesy Grilled Buffalo Chicken

Other Chicken Recipe Ideas

  • Smoked Chicken Wings
  • The Best Roast Chicken Marinade
  • Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
  • Easy Blackened Chicken Recipe
Bourbon Bacon BBQ Chicken Kebabs

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Bourbon Bacon BBQ Chicken Kebabs Recipe

Chicken breast skewered on kebabs then covered with a BBQ bacon paste and grilled to perfection. 
4.67 from 9 votes
Print
Bourbon Bacon BBQ Chicken Kebabs Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 8 oz barbecue sauce, I used Sweet Baby Ray’s
  • 1/8 cup bourbon
  • 2 lbs chicken breast
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 3 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 6 slices uncooked bacon, cut into small pieces

Instructions

  • Light the grill and heat to medium-high
  • In a small bowl, combine the BBQ sauce and bourbon. Mix well.
  • In a food processor, combine the kosher salt, white pepper, onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, dark brown sugar, smoked paprika, and bacon. Pulse until completely smooth.
  • Put the chicken pieces in a bowl and then rub with the bacon paste. Once well-coated, thread the chicken pieces onto skewers.
  • Place the kebabs on the preheated grill. Cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until nearly cooked through.
  • Brush the kebabs with the bourbon barbecue sauce and cook for an additional minute on each side.
  • Serve with the remaining BBQ sauce.

Adapted From Host The Toast

    Nutrition

    Calories: 230kcal (12%)
    Author: Jessica Pinney
    Did you make this recipe?Please tag @cookingwithjanica on Instagram! We’d love to see!

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    Recipe Rating




    66 responses

    1. Regina
      July 3, 2016

      This was very delicious. The only thing I would cut down on is the white pepper to maybe 1/2 tsp or 1/4 tsp. Also the paste need time to blend with the chicken. Otherwise it was great.

      Reply
    2. Ron
      July 20, 2016

      You have chicken breasts in the ingredients and chicken thighs in the directions??? I would prefer breasts. Which should it be?? Ron

      Reply
      1. Jessica Pinney
        July 20, 2016

        I use chicken breast. Some people prefer to grill the thighs because grilling tends to dry meat out a little and they are more juicy.

        Reply
    3. Migdalia’ Arroyo
      March 15, 2017

      Going to try this recipe for the summer

      Reply
    4. Carol
      June 2, 2017

      All these recipes that looks so awesome I can’t wait to try them. Thank you so much for this website.Carol

      Reply
      1. Jessica Pinney
        June 2, 2017

        Aw, thanks so much Carol! I hope you enjoy.

        Reply
    5. Allison
      June 4, 2017

      What kind of bourbon (I’m not a drinker so I don’t know what’s good. Also, can beef bacon be used? I don’t eat pork.

      Reply
      1. Jessica Pinney
        June 4, 2017

        We like to use Maker’s Mark bourbon. I have never used beef bacon, but I don’t see why you couldn’t. If you try it, please let me know how it turns out!

        Reply
    6. gayle buth
      June 5, 2017

      how many does this make?

      Reply
    7. Gwen
      June 10, 2017

      Do u cook the bacon then add dry ingredients to the bacon fat????

      Reply
      1. Jessica Pinney
        June 10, 2017

        No. Uncooked bacon goes in the food processor with the dry ingredients.

        Reply
    8. Moe
      June 24, 2017

      I messed up! Put the whole kitten caboodle in the food processor ? Wish me luck? I’ll let you all know!! My husband was watching and said it looks like a waste of bacon! He doesn’t know I messed up?

      Reply
    9. Sandy
      June 29, 2017

      How many people would this recipe feed? I’d like to make it for a wedding. About 100 people

      Reply
      1. Jessica Pinney
        June 29, 2017

        As a main dish, I would say this serves 4-5 people.

        Reply
    10. Chrissie Dej
      July 3, 2017

      Can i use black pepper instead of white?

      Reply
      1. Jessica Pinney
        July 3, 2017

        Yes, you can substitute the two. White is milder, so maybe use a little less black.

        Reply
    11. Alex
      July 7, 2017

      How do you keep the paste on the chicken? Mine just fell off. I’m new at this stuff.

      Reply
    12. Jamie
      July 11, 2017

      Omg I want to make this but don’t have a food processor, can I use a blender on pulse?

      Reply
      1. Jessica Pinney
        July 16, 2017

        You could try…I think you might need a very sharp blender like a Vitamix to turn the bacon into paste. If you try it, let me know how it goes.

        Reply
    13. Desiree
      July 16, 2017

      Any tips on getting the paste to stay on the chicken?

      Reply
      1. Jessica Pinney
        July 16, 2017

        Is it sticking to your hands or just not staying on the chicken? Oil your hands to prevent it from sticking to them. I had to sort of press and mold the paste around the chicken to get it to stick.

        Reply
    14. Kimm
      September 10, 2017

      Just made this for dinner. It was thumbs up from the family! The bacon paste was hard to get to stick but I actually put it on once the chicken was on the screwers already. It stick pretty good. Just had to be careful when flipping it. It was so juicy and moist! I didn’t think the bourbon made much of a difference in the BBQ sauce but my husband thought it must have. He said he’s not a big BBQ guy but he liked this! I used a little more than it called for.

      Reply
    15. W. H. Stuart
      November 3, 2017

      Can i marinate the chicken in the spices, and thread the bacon with the chicken on skewers?

      Reply
      1. Jessica Pinney
        November 3, 2017

        I’ve never tried it, but I think it could work. Let me know how it turns out!

        Reply
        1. W. H. Stuart
          November 3, 2017

          Will do

          Reply
    16. W. H. Stuart
      November 16, 2017

      I’ve tried marinating the chicken and threading the bacon with the chicken on the skewers, it came out perfectly. This recipe will be in the my regular dinner rotation. Very easy to make and great flavor.
      Thanks,
      W.H. Stuart

      Reply
    17. Amanda
      December 20, 2017

      Bacon and bourbon are such perfect flavors to incorporate into BBQ sauce! What a great chicken dinner for the grill!

      Reply
    18. Nicoletta @sugarlovespices
      December 20, 2017

      I am vegetarian but my family would love to try this recipe, the love BBQ cooking even in the winter. It looks yummy.

      Reply
    19. Jessica Robinson
      December 20, 2017

      Sounds like sticky goodness. Wonderful flavors of bacon, BBQ, and Bourbon! Good Lord, we’re gonna try this one!

      Reply
    20. Veena Azmanov
      December 22, 2017

      Ah this sounds so interesting – I have never added bacon to my kebabs before. What a genius idea! Bet these was so moist and tender. yum.

      Reply
    21. Helene
      December 23, 2017

      I wish your bourbon bacon kebabs where my dinner today!! Just look at these, I am soooo hungry right now, I wish I could have this with a drink right away. What a tease!

      Reply
    22. Leslie
      December 23, 2017

      I never think to make kebabs, but these looks so good I’m going to have to – ASAP!

      Reply
    23. Kate
      December 23, 2017

      Mmm! I just love kebabs. So delicious!

      Reply
    24. Prasanna Hede
      December 24, 2017

      I love kebab and these are so yumm!

      Reply
    25. Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
      December 24, 2017

      This looks super tasty!! I just wish I had a grill 🙁

      Reply
    26. Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
      December 24, 2017

      These look SO delicious! Love the addition of bourbon and bacon to just about anything, but they look especially good here!

      Reply
    27. Tina
      December 24, 2017

      Wow! These look amazing. I love Sweet Baby Rays too. It sounds like a robust spice mixture, pinning this for later.

      Reply
    28. Karyl | Karyl’s Kulinary Krusade
      December 24, 2017

      I’ve never heard of bacon paste…but I love ALL things bacon, so I definitely need to try this!! And I’m a huge fan of dark meat chicken, as it stays more tender. Saving this recipe for sure

      Reply
    29. Carrie
      December 25, 2017

      Was a crowd pleaser. I found that if you put the chicken on the skewers and then patted them dry with paper towel, the paste stuck better.

      Reply
    30. Elena
      December 26, 2017

      I love the spice mix you used for this recipe! I bet it was delicious!

      Reply
    31. Eileen Kelly
      December 26, 2017

      Such a great recipe and the bbq sauce caramelizes on the chicken adds amazing flavor

      Reply
    32. Kathy
      January 2, 2018

      OMGosh! I just had the thought to use the bacon paste for making meatballs! Or to cook the meatballs in! Thanks for the inspiration!

      Reply
    33. Kathleen
      February 6, 2018

      ? Can U make this in the oven

      Reply
      1. W. H. Stuart
        February 7, 2018

        Yes you can put it in the oven 375 about 30 min depending on your oven, than broiler to char. However chicken temps should be 165+. and I thread the bacon on the the skewer in instead of making the rub. I use all the other ingredients and marinate the chicken rather than putting on a paste. This came out very well. Let me know how yours came out?

        Reply
    34. Fernando Roman
      February 9, 2018

      From Puerto Rico, I’m gone a tray, look beatyfui

      Reply
    35. Ed
      March 25, 2018

      Excellent recipe. I think the problems related to getting the paste to stick are related to the thickness of Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce. I used a heavy molasses based sauce, KC Masterpiece Original. No problem.

      Reply
    36. John M Duran
      June 5, 2018

      4 stars
      I recently made this recipe and must admit that it was really good. There was left over bacon paste which I cooked (made bacon bits)and used for an apple and blue cheese salad to go with chicken. I some trouble getting the paste to adhere to the chicken. I warmed it slightly in the microwave and that did the trick.

      Reply
    37. Rommel
      August 18, 2018

      I think I’ll give this a try with shrimp instead of chicken

      Reply
    38. Susan Gilliland
      September 8, 2018

      have you ever broiled or baked this if you have no grill available?

      Reply
    39. Laney
      December 17, 2018

      5 stars
      Is there any way this could be cooked in the oven? Maybe partially cooked and then put under the broiler to get that nice crispy topping. Our grill is outdoors and at 30 degrees a bit too cold to venture outside.

      Reply
      1. Jessica Pinney
        December 18, 2018

        I’ve never done it in the oven, but it could work. I would bake at 375 or 400 F start checking around 15-20 minutes. It’s ready when the chicken is 165 F in the center.

        Reply
    40. Amanda
      May 29, 2019

      Tried to make this, paste smelled wonderful, however, it did not stick to the chicken at all…… no matter what I did I could not get it to stick. Thoughts?

      Reply
      1. We so
        September 15, 2019

        Amanda, I had that issue too, I added 2 tablespoons of water to it and then put my chicken peices in a bowl with the paste and stirred to coat them. It worked really well.

        Reply
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