Grilled chicken only gets better when skewered with bacon, accompanied by fresh, crunchy vegetables and brushed with a balsamic glaze.
Chicken and bacon skewers are officially ready to become your next grilling obsession. These easy skewers feature chicken with a maple balsamic glaze, zucchini, summer squash, and peppers woven together with bacon.
Food on a stick is just more fun, right. Especially when there’s bacon involved. These skewers will be the star of your next cookout. Maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and spices add flavor to the chicken, and the chicken and vegetables are super succulent because they’re nestled in between waves of bacon while they cook. The end result is a skewer with a perfect balance of sweet and salty, with plenty of protein and colorful pops of veggies.
Step by Step Guide to Making Balsamic Glazed Chicken and Bacon Skewers
Preparing the Skewers:
- Soak Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in warm water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Make Balsamic Glaze: In a saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, homemade seasoning mix, and sea salt. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Marinate Chicken: Toss chicken pieces in the glaze. For best results, marinate in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours.
Assembling Skewers:
- Assemble Skewers: Weave bacon, chicken, and vegetables onto each skewer, alternating between them. Use two bacon slices per skewer, weaving around the pieces.
- Preheat Grill/Broiler: Preheat to medium-high heat or set the broiler to preheat.
Cooking:
- Cook Skewers: Grill each side for about 5 minutes or broil for 8 minutes per side until the bacon and chicken are fully cooked.
- Rest and Serve: Let skewers rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy with a cold glass of white wine.
Recipe Notes:
- Marinating Time: Marinating the chicken enhances the flavors but is optional if pressed for time.
- Seasoning: If you cannot find Badia Complete Seasoning, make your own mix by combining garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Balsamic Glazed Chicken and Bacon Skewers
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
Description
Combine the richness of bacon with the lightness of chicken and the fresh crunch of seasonal vegetables, all enhanced by a glossy balsamic glaze.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Badia Complete Seasoning (or homemade seasoning mix: blend of garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne pepper)
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders or breasts, cut into bite-size chunks
- 2 red and/or orange bell peppers, deseeded and chopped into bite-size chunks
- 1 zucchini, chopped into bite-size chunks
- 1 summer squash, chopped into bite-size chunks
- 10 slices bacon
Instructions
Preparing the Skewers:
- Soak Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in warm water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Make Balsamic Glaze: In a saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, seasoning mix, and sea salt. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Marinate Chicken: Toss chicken pieces in the glaze. For best results, marinate in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours.
Assembling Skewers:
- Assemble Skewers: Weave bacon, chicken, and vegetables onto each skewer, alternating between them. Use two bacon slices per skewer, weaving around the pieces.
- Preheat Grill/Broiler: Preheat to medium-high heat or set the broiler to preheat.
Cooking:
- Cook Skewers: Grill each side for about 5 minutes or broil for 8 minutes per side until the bacon and chicken are fully cooked.
- Rest and Serve: Let skewers rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy with a cold glass of white wine.
Notes
- Marinating Time: Marinating the chicken enhances the flavors but is optional if pressed for time.
- If You Make Homemade Seasoning Mix: Customize the blend to your liking, adjusting for heat and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marinating Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Is there an alternative to Badia Complete Seasoning?
I have never heard of this in Canada.
Badia Complete seasoning is made of garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, ground coriander seeds, chopped dried parsley, dried oregano, black pepper and salt. You can either make it yourself by mixing these powders together – or just go with your favorite grill-seasoning!
That looks delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Greeting
Catering in Den Haag
I love finding new ways to make chicken exciting, and this recipe did not disappoint! I served it with a quinoa salad.
First time making skewers and this recipe made it so easy! The combination of sweet, salty, and savory hits all the right notes. I’ll be making this again for my next rooftop BBQ party.
Perfect balance of flavors and the recipe was easy to follow. My neighbors were asking for the recipe over the fence!
The balsamic glaze is something I’ll be using on other dishes too. Brilliantly done!
Paired these skewers with a chilled bottle of Chardonnay, just like suggested, and it was a delight!
Just made these skewers for our weekend BBQ and they were a HIT! The balsamic glaze added such a unique flavor. I subbed in my own spice mix for the Badia and it turned out fantastic. Definitely keeping this recipe in my summer grilling rotation!
I appreciated the alternative seasoning suggestion, as I try to use homemade spice blends. Paired it with a light salad and it was the perfect meal.
Just when I thought chicken couldn’t get any more delicious, I tried this recipe. The glaze is incredible, and weaving the bacon through the skewers? Genius!
I’m mostly vegetarian but decided to try this recipe for a family gathering, and I’m glad I did. Everyone loved it! I also made a veggie version using halloumi instead of chicken, and it worked beautifully with the glaze. Highly recommend!
Kudos on this recipe! Grilled these up last night and the flavor was out of this world. I threw in a bit of smoked paprika to the seasoning mix for an extra kick. Will be making these again soon.
Totally obsessed with the balsamic glaze on these skewers! I went with a mix of chicken and shrimp, and it was divine.
Grilled these up for the family last night and they were demolished in minutes! Even my picky eaters asked for seconds.
Hooray for that, thanks for letting us know!
I used thick-cut bacon and added some pineapple chunks for a sweet touch. The balsamic glaze is to die for!
So glad to hear it turned out well!