That first bite of something sweet, spicy, and caramelized off the grill it just gets you. Spicy Honey Chicken and Sweet Potato Kebabs are exactly that kind of dinner: bold, a little sticky, and packed with real flavor on every single skewer.
Last August, when evenings started cooling down just enough to fire up the grill one more time, this became the recipe I leaned on hardest those back-to-school nights when decision fatigue was real and I needed dinner to basically make itself. The honey glaze caramelizes fast over high heat, so the chicken gets this gorgeous char without drying out. After testing it more times than I can count, I learned one thing: don’t rush the marinate.
PrintSpicy Honey Chicken and Sweet Potato Kebabs Satisfying Real Flavor Your Family Will Love
Spicy Honey Chicken and Sweet Potato Kebabs are perfect for an easy dinner or weeknight dinner. These honey glazed chicken skewers and grilled sweet potato kebabs bring bold flavor your family will love.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Standard
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
- 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
- Boil the sweet potato cubes in water just enough to cover for 5 minutes until nearly tender but still firm, then drain and cool.
- Combine olive oil with garlic powder chili powder salt pepper cumin paprika and crushed red pepper to make a spice mixture, and mix honey with apple cider vinegar separately to prepare the glaze.
- Toss the chicken pieces in half of the spice mixture, and coat the sweet potatoes and onions with the remaining half gently.
- Thread chicken sweet potatoes and onions onto soaked bamboo skewers and brush with half of the honey glaze.
- Heat a grill to medium and oil the grates, then grill the skewers about 8 minutes turning often until chicken is done.
- Remove from grill, brush with remaining honey glaze, and optionally sprinkle with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- Soak the bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to avoid burning
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast and start checking doneness around 6 minutes
Nutrition
- 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
Why You’ll Love This
Spicy Honey Chicken and Sweet Potato Kebabs were made for those evenings when you still want dinner to feel like something but you have absolutely nothing left to give. Thirty-five minutes, one grill, and it’s done. The honey glaze caramelizes into a sticky, smoky coating that makes every skewer taste like you worked way harder than you did.
- Sweet and spicy in every single bite
- Fast enough for a weeknight, impressive enough for company
- Naturally filling without feeling heavy perfect as the nights start to cool down
What You’ll Need
Every ingredient pulls double duty here. The chicken thighs stay juicy under high heat, the sweet potatoes get tender and slightly charred, and the sweet onion softens into something almost sweet and savory at once.
- Chicken thighs: boneless, skinless they hold up on the grill far better than breast
- Sweet potatoes: parboiled first so they cook evenly on the skewer
- Sweet onion: cut into chunky layers that won’t fall apart
- The spice mix: garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper all stirred into olive oil
- The glaze: honey and apple cider vinegar, applied in two rounds for maximum caramelization
- Bamboo skewers: soaked in water for 30 minutes before you start
How to Make It
The method is straightforward, but the order matters. Parboil the sweet potatoes first five minutes, just until they’re nearly cooked but still firm. While they cool, mix your spice blend and glaze separately.
- Parboil sweet potato cubes for 5 minutes, then drain and cool.
- Mix olive oil with all the spices to make the spice blend. Combine honey and apple cider vinegar in a separate bowl for the glaze.
- Toss chicken with half the spice mix. Toss potatoes and onions with the remaining half.
- Thread chicken, sweet potatoes, and onions onto soaked skewers about 7 skewers total.
- Brush skewers with half the honey glaze before grilling.
- Grill over medium heat for about 8 minutes, turning frequently, until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove from the grill and brush with the remaining glaze. Top with fresh basil if you like.
Pro Tip: Brushing the glaze both before and after grilling is what gives these kebabs their deep, lacquered finish don’t skip that second coat.
Can You Make Spicy Honey Chicken Sweet Potato Kebabs Ahead of Time?
You can absolutely get ahead on prep. Thread the skewers, coat them in the spice mix, and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before grilling. Keep the honey glaze separate until you’re ready to cook it goes on just before the grill.
Note: The parboiled sweet potatoes can be prepped a day ahead and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble.
Swaps and Storage
Here’s where you can make it work for your family without overthinking it.
- Swap chicken thighs for chicken breast start checking for doneness around 6 minutes
- Fresh basil is optional but adds a bright, herby finish
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container
- Reheat in a skillet over medium heat to bring back a little char the microwave works but won’t give you the same texture
- The honey glaze can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in a small jar
FAQs ( Spicy Honey Chicken and Sweet Potato Kebabs )
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, chicken breast works well in this recipe. Start checking for doneness around 6 minutes on the grill.
Why do you par-boil the sweet potatoes first?
Par-boiling for 5 minutes ensures the sweet potatoes finish cooking at the same time as the chicken on the grill.
Do I need to soak the skewers before grilling?
Yes, soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes before use to prevent them from burning on the grill.
How long do you grill these kebabs?
Grill on medium heat for about 8 minutes, turning frequently, until the chicken is cooked through.
When do you apply the honey glaze?
Brush half the glaze on before grilling, then apply the remaining half right after removing this dish from the grill.
How many skewers does this recipe make?
This meal yields approximately 7 skewers and serves 4 people as a main dish.
These Spicy Honey Chicken and Sweet Potato Kebabs are the kind of dinner that earns its place at the table sweet, a little smoky, and done in thirty-five minutes flat. That honey glaze caramelizes into something genuinely beautiful, and you’ll love how reliably well they turn out every time.
Don’t skip that second coat of glaze after the kebabs come off the grill it’s the step that gives them their deep, lacquered finish. Leftovers reheat beautifully in a skillet over medium heat if you want to bring back a little of that char. And if you’re feeding a crowd, the skewers thread up quickly, and the honey glaze keeps in a small jar for up to two days ahead, making weeknight hosting feel almost effortless.
If you make these, drop a photo in the comments or tag us when you share we’d love to see how your table looked. Did someone go back for a second skewer? That’s always the real win. Save this recipe for your family, pass it along to a friend who needs an easy dinner idea this week, and remember: a little win in the kitchen can change the whole evening.
