As soon as the barbecue comes out or the grill starts warming up, the children know something tasty is on the way. and one of the most popular options is Hamemade Chicken Skewers. There is something fun about food served on skewers. It feels relaxed, colourful and perfect for sharing around the table or enjoying outside in the garden.
I always choose chicken thighs instead of chicken breast because they stay wonderfully juicy while cooking. They have plenty of flavour and remain tender even when they spend a little longer over the heat. That makes them ideal for busy family cooking. Even better, they work beautifully alongside chunky vegetables and thick pieces of smoky bacon.
The colourful vegetables make these skewers look just as good as they taste. Bright red peppers add a natural sweetness, while slices of courgette become soft with lightly browned edges. Chunks of onion turn sweet as they cook, which balances the savoury chicken perfectly. Meanwhile, thick cut bacon crisps around the edges and adds another layer of delicious flavour. Every skewer becomes a colourful mix that everyone wants to grab first.
What makes these chicken skewers stand out is the oriental-inspired five spice seasoning. The blend gives the chicken a gentle warmth without making it overly spicy. Instead, it creates a lovely balance of sweet and savoury flavours with just a hint of aromatic spice. As the skewers cook, the seasoning develops a beautiful golden coating that smells absolutely amazing.
Barbecuing gives these skewers a wonderful smoky finish that is difficult to beat. However, they are equally delicious when cooked under a grill, making them perfect whatever the weather decides to do. The important thing is to cook them until the chicken remains moist while the vegetables soften and the bacon turns lightly crisp. As a result, every bite delivers a mixture of textures that keeps everyone coming back for another skewer.
I usually place the finished skewers onto a large serving platter in the middle of the table. That way, everyone can help themselves and choose their favourite combinations of chicken, vegetables and bacon. Children often enjoy picking each ingredient straight from the skewer, while adults happily load everything onto their plates with extra salad or potatoes.
A good dipping sauce makes these skewers even more enjoyable. Sweet chilli sauce is always popular in our home because it complements the five spice seasoning without overpowering it. Garlic mayonnaise, honey and soy sauce, or even a simple yoghurt-based dip also work beautifully. Offering two or three different sauces allows everyone to personalise their meal, which keeps the whole family happy.
These homemade chicken skewers are also perfect for entertaining friends. They look impressive without requiring complicated preparation, and they can easily be made in larger batches when extra guests arrive. Since the ingredients are familiar and colourful, they usually appeal to adults and children alike. Consequently, they often disappear far quicker than expected.
Another reason I love making them is their flexibility. Although the basic combination never disappoints, you can easily change the vegetables with the seasons or use whatever you already have waiting in the fridge. That makes them a practical choice for reducing food waste while still creating something that feels special.
Whenever I serve these homemade chicken skewers, they remind me that simple ingredients often create the most memorable meals. The juicy chicken thighs, colourful vegetables, smoky bacon and fragrant five spice seasoning work together beautifully. Add your favourite dipping sauce, gather the family around the table, and you have a relaxed meal that is full of flavour, smiles and happy conversation. Those are the meals my family remembers long after the plates have been cleared away.
Homemade Chicken Skewers
Equipment
- 8 Metal skewers or soaked wooden skewers
- Barbecue, or grill
- Pastry Brush optional
Ingredients
The Skewers:
- 700 g chicken thighs boneless skinless , cut into large chunks
- 2 medium courgettes sliced into thick rounds
- 2 large red bell peppers deseeded and cut into chunky pieces
- 2 large onions cut into wedges
- 200 g smoked bacon thick cut,cut into large pieces
The Oriental Five Spice Rub:
- 2 tsp Chinese five spice powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp soft brown sugar
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp sesame oil optional
To Serve:
- Sweet chilli dipping sauce
- Garlic mayonnaise
- Steamed rice chips or potato salad
- Mixed green salad
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the Chinese five spice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, black pepper, salt and brown sugar.2 tsp Chinese five spice powder, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp ground ginger, ½ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp sea salt, 1 tbsp soft brown sugar
- Stir in the soy sauce, vegetable oil and sesame oil until a thick marinade forms.2 tbsp light soy sauce, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tsp sesame oil
- Add the chicken thigh pieces to a large bowl and pour over the marinade.700 g chicken thighs
- Mix thoroughly until every piece of chicken is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For even better flavour, marinate for up to 4 hours.
- Prepare the vegetables by chopping the courgettes, peppers and onions into similar sized pieces.2 medium courgettes, 2 large red bell peppers, 2 large onions
- Cut the bacon into large squares that will fold easily around the chicken.200 g smoked bacon
- Thread the skewers by alternating chicken, bacon, courgette, onion and red pepper until each skewer is full.
- Preheat the barbecue to a medium heat or heat the grill to medium-high.
- Lightly oil the cooking grate or grill tray to prevent sticking.
- Place the skewers over the heat and cook for approximately 18–20 minutes.
- Turn the skewers every 3 to 4 minutes so they cook evenly on all sides.
- Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 75°C and the bacon has become lightly crisp.
- Remove the skewers from the heat and allow them to rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve immediately with sweet chilli sauce, garlic mayonnaise or your favourite dipping sauce alongside rice, potatoes or a fresh salad.Sweet chilli dipping sauce, Garlic mayonnaise, Steamed rice, Mixed green salad