Grilled Sriracha Chicken Kabobs
These Grilled Sriracha Chicken Kabobs are smoky, bright, and just the right level of spicy. They’re an easy weeknight dinner and a crowd-pleaser for backyard gatherings. Using four large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, a simple sriracha-forward marinade, and quick-charred vegetables, these skewers come together fast and deliver big flavor. I love how the marinade balances tang, heat, and a touch of sweetness, and how the grill adds a whisper of smokiness that makes every bite addictive.
Why you’ll love these kabobs
- Quick-marinating: The flavors soak into the chicken without hours of waiting.
- Simple ingredients: Mostly pantry staples and a few fresh vegetables.
- Versatile: Serve with rice, flatbread, greens, or a cooling yogurt sauce.
- Great for gatherings: They grill fast and look festive on a platter.
Ingredients
- 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (use reduced-sodium if preferred)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/3 cup sriracha
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large yellow onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- Wooden or metal skewers (if using wooden, soak in water 30 minutes prior)
- 1 T avocado oil (for the grill, see notes)
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl or zip-top bag
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Grill (charcoal or gas) or grill pan
- Tongs and a basting brush
- Meat thermometer (recommended)
Prep and planning

Before you start, set up your grill for medium-high heat. If you’re using wooden skewers, place them in water to soak for at least 30 minutes so they don’t burn. Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and pat them dry. Cutting the chicken and vegetables into uniform pieces helps them cook evenly and look great on the skewers.
Marinade and assembly

The marinade brings the primary flavor: sriracha for heat and sesame oil and honey for toasty, sweet balance. Use the ingredient amounts exactly as listed to keep the flavor profile consistent and balanced.
Step-by-step directions
- Prepare the chicken: Trim the 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts of any excess fat. Cut each chicken breast into 1 to 1 1/2-inch pieces so the cubes are similar in size. Pat the pieces dry with paper towels.
- Make the marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup honey, 1/3 cup sriracha, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Whisk until the honey is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the bowl with the marinade. Toss the chicken so every piece is coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer everything to a zip-top bag and press out excess air. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. Longer marinating is okay, but avoid exceeding 4 hours so the texture does not become too soft.
- Prepare vegetables: While the chicken marinates, cut 1 large red bell pepper and 1 large green bell pepper into 1-inch pieces. Slice 1 large yellow onion into similar-sized pieces. Rinse 1 pint of cherry tomatoes and set them aside. Keep the vegetables separate from the chicken until you assemble the skewers.
- Preheat the grill: Light your grill and aim for medium-high heat. If using a gas grill, preheat for 10–15 minutes with the lid closed. If using charcoal, allow the coals to become mostly white and spread them to create even heat. Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Assemble the kabobs: Thread the marinated chicken, bell pepper pieces, onion chunks, and cherry tomatoes onto skewers. Alternate ingredients so the pieces fit snugly but not cramped; leave a little space between each piece to allow heat circulation. Reserve any remaining marinade for basting.
- Oil the grill grates: Brush 1 T avocado oil on a paper towel and, using tongs, rub it across the hot grill grates to further prevent sticking. If using a grill pan, lightly oil it instead.
- Grill the kabobs: Place the skewers on the preheated grill. Cook 10–12 minutes total, turning every 2–3 minutes so each side gets a nice char. During grilling, brush a small amount of reserved marinade on the chicken once or twice, avoiding heavy application that could cause flare-ups. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) or when juices run clear and pieces are no longer pink in the center.
- Rest the skewers: Transfer the cooked kabobs to a clean platter and let them rest for 5 minutes. Resting helps the juices redistribute so the chicken stays moist when you cut into it.
- Serve: Slide the pieces off the skewers onto a serving dish or present the skewers whole. Pair them with steamed rice, grilled flatbread, a crisp salad, or a cooling yogurt-based sauce if you like. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs such as cilantro or sliced green onions for brightness.
Troubleshooting and tips
- If your grill flares up, move the skewers to a cooler part of the grill and reduce direct flames. Excess flare-ups can char the exterior before the interior cooks through.
- Cut chicken into evenly sized pieces so everything cooks at the same rate. Too-large chunks will need longer and risk drying out, while too-small pieces can overcook quickly.
- For a milder version, reduce the sriracha by half and add an extra tablespoon of honey. For a punchier heat, keep the listed amount or add a few dashes of chili paste.
- If you don’t have sesame oil, substitute with neutral oil and a teaspoon of sesame seeds for a hint of that toasted flavor.
- Leftovers store well for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in a low oven or on the stovetop to avoid drying the chicken.
Serving suggestions
These Grilled Sriracha Chicken Kabobs pair beautifully with simple sides that balance the heat. Try:
- Steamed jasmine or basmati rice tossed with a squeeze of lime and chopped cilantro.
- Grilled flatbread brushed with olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
- A crisp cucumber-tomato salad dressed in lemon juice and a touch of olive oil to contrast the spice.
- A cooling yogurt sauce: combine plain yogurt, a squeeze of lemon, a pinch of salt, and minced cucumber or fresh herbs.
Make-ahead and freezing
You can marinate the chicken up to 4 hours ahead and keep it chilled until ready to grill. If you’d like to freeze for later, place the marinated, uncooked chicken pieces in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then skewer and proceed with grilling as written.
Notes
The recipe calls for 1 T avocado oil to oil the grill grates. Avocado oil has a high smoke point which helps prevent sticking and burning. If you prefer, use another high-smoke-point oil like canola or grapeseed oil in the same amount.
Nutrition snapshot (approx.)
Per serving (assuming 4 servings): chicken provides lean protein, and the kabobs include vegetables for fiber and vitamins. Exact nutrition depends on portion sizes and side dishes.
Final thoughts
These Grilled Sriracha Chicken Kabobs strike a great balance between spicy, sweet, and savory. They’re easy to assemble, quick to grill, and flexible enough to adapt to taste preferences. Whether you’re feeding a busy family or serving friends at a summer cookout, these skewers are one of those reliable recipes that always get compliments. Enjoy the char, the tang, and the happy faces around your table.

Grilled Sriracha Chicken Kabobs
Ingredients
- 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts trimmed and cut into ~2-inch chunks
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil for the grill (or another high smoke-point oil)
- soy sauce for the marinade (amount to match original recipe; mix with garlic, ginger, lime juice)
- garlic for the marinade
- ginger for the marinade
- lime juice for the marinade
- 1 Tbsp Sriracha sauce mixed into reserved marinade to make glaze, adjust to taste
Instructions
- Trim fat from the chicken breasts and cut into even 2-inch pieces.
- In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, garlic, ginger, lime juice, and enough of the marinade base to coat the chicken.
- Place the chicken pieces and half of the marinade into a resealable bag or container. Refrigerate and marinate 6–8 hours, turning occasionally.
- When ready to cook, preheat and clean the grill to medium-high heat. Lightly brush or spray the grill grates with 1 tablespoon avocado oil or another high smoke-point oil.
- Stir 1 tablespoon Sriracha into the reserved half of the marinade to make a glaze, and taste to adjust heat.
- Drain and discard the marinade from the chicken. Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers, using double skewers or blade-type skewers if available.
- Place the skewers on the hot grill and brush generously with the Sriracha glaze. Cook, turning and brushing with more glaze every ~4 minutes.
- Grill until the chicken is browned and firm to the touch, about 12–14 minutes total depending on piece thickness, or until an instant-read thermometer registers 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from the grill and serve the kabobs hot.
Equipment
- Grill
- Mixing Bowl
- Resealable plastic bag or container
- Skewers
- Basting Brush
- instant-read meat thermometer
- Tongs
Notes
- Marinate chicken 6–8 hours for best flavor.
- Use a high smoke-point oil for brushing the grill.
- Discard any marinade that touched raw chicken; reserve some beforehand for glazing.
- Cook chicken to 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.

