Chicken cubes are marinated in a quick dry rub and threaded onto skewers before being slathered in a homemade, sticky, and tangy strawberry and balsamic glaze.  

For whatever reason, eating protein off of a stick or skewer makes dinnertime 10x more fun. These Strawberry Balsamic Glazed Chicken Skewers are my new favorite recipe and one you’ll want to make on repeat all summertime long. 

For those of you who may be nervous about grilling, I’ve got you.

Cooking with skewers allows you to easily flip the meat, meaning you’ll know when it’s ready and time to flip.

If the chicken is stubborn, then you know to give it another minute or two. When it turns easily, then it’s ready for the other side to get seared.

You can easily make this on an indoor grill pan or skillet as well. 

The real stunner of this recipe, however, is the glaze. Sweet and tangy with just the right amount of stickiness, made with fresh strawberries, balsamic vinegar, and a drizzle of maple syrup, Dijon, and fresh thyme.

I cannot wait for you to give this summertime grilling recipe a try.

And be sure to let me know where else you use the glaze over on my Instagram, @olivia.adriance. I’m thinking it would be perfectly drizzled over a bowl of dairy-free vanilla ice cream… Enjoy! 

Ingredients for Strawberry Glazed Chicken 

Summertime cooking is intended to be simple. Here’s what to grab on your next grocery store trip (if you don’t already have them all).

• Chicken: You can use either boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts for this recipe. You’ll want to cut them roughly into 1 1/2 – inch cubes so they skewer easily and grill at the same time. Some meat departments already sell pre-cut, cubed chicken, so be on the lookout to save additional time!  
• Spices: For the dry rub, I like the flavors of smoked paprika, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, black pepper, and just a pinch of cayenne pepper. If you have a pre-made grill rub that you love, feel free to use that. 

• Fresh Strawberries: It’s a good time of year when strawberries are in season! Use fresh if you have them, otherwise frozen works too. You’ll find plenty of sweet strawberry recipes on my site (click here, and here, oh and here too).
• Balsamic Vinegar: When cooked down, balsamic vinegar becomes nice and syrupy. It’s almost like the store-bought balsamic glazes that you may see in the store, except without the unnecessary sugar and preservatives. 

• Maple Syrup: A touch of natural sweetener brings out the flavors of the strawberries and tones down the acidity of the balsamic vinegar. 
• Dijon Mustard: This adds just a bit of “something-something” to the glaze and pairs well with the dry rubbed chicken, too. 
• Fresh Thyme: If you have it, a bit of thyme is a nice addition to the glaze, but no need to run to the grocery store just for it! 

How to Make Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Skewers

Marinate the Chicken

In a large bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil and spices (paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, pepper, and cayenne if using). Let sit for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) to marinate.

Make the Glaze

In a small saucepan, combine the strawberries, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring and mashing as it cooks.

Blend until smooth using a small blender or immersion blender. Set aside.

Assemble the Skewers

Thread marinated chicken onto skewers. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes beforehand.

Grill or Sear

Heat a grill (375 to 400°F) or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook skewers for 5 to 7 minutes per side, until nicely charred and cooked through.

You’ll know the chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. You can use a thermometer to check for doneness. 

Brush lightly with glaze during the last minute or so of cooking.

Serve

Drizzle remaining glaze over the skewers and garnish with fresh basil or mint. Serve immediately and enjoy! 

More Summer Grilling Recipes: 

• Peach BBQ Sauce Chicken Drumsticks
• Homemade Chicken Spiedies (Marinated Chicken Skewer Sandwich) 
• Thai Marinated Steak and Herb Salad
• Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks