Unleash a burst of flavor with these incredible Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers! Tender chicken thighs, crispy bacon, and sweet, juicy pineapple chunks are marinated in a rich teriyaki sauce, then grilled to perfection. They are the quintessential grilling dinner, offering a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and smoky notes that will delight everyone at your table. This recipe promises an easy yet impressive meal, perfect for any occasion.
Are you ready to truly elevate your outdoor cooking experience? Beyond these mouthwatering skewers, consider trying our signature Grilled Chicken Seasoning for a classic flavor boost, or explore the exotic tastes of our Huli Huli Chicken the next time you fire up the grill. Each recipe promises to bring exciting new dimensions to your backyard barbecue, ensuring your grilling game is always on point.
Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers: Your New Favorite Grilling Recipe
While the leaves might hint at autumn, let’s not rush into pumpkin spice everything just yet! The sun is still shining bright, and there’s plenty of warmth left to enjoy those glorious outdoor cooking sessions. School may be back in session for many, but the spirit of summer grilling continues to thrive. So, pull out your tongs, fire up the charcoal or gas, because there’s ample opportunity to create unforgettable meals right on your patio. These Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are the perfect way to extend the joy of the grilling season, combining vibrant flavors with the satisfying char only a grill can provide. There’s truly nothing quite like the sizzle and aroma of food cooking outdoors to bring family and friends together.
As a passionate culinary enthusiast, my kitchen shelves are practically overflowing with cookbooks. I confess, I am a true cookbook hoarder! Among the hundreds I’ve collected over the years, a select few stand out as my absolute go-to resources, guiding my cooking adventures and earning my highest recommendations. At the very top of this esteemed list are the incredible cookbooks from “Our Best Bites.” Their recipes consistently deliver on flavor, simplicity, and reliability, making them indispensable in my culinary journey.
You can imagine my excitement when I learned they were releasing a new digital treasure: The Ultimate Grill Guide. And let me tell you, this isn’t just another recipe collection; it’s a comprehensive masterclass in all things grilling. If you’re looking to host a fantastic Labor Day gathering, or simply want to expand your grilling repertoire, this ebook is an absolute must-have. It’s truly a one-stop shop for everything you need to become a backyard barbecue hero, equipped with confidence and a vast array of delicious options.
Inside “The Ultimate Grill Guide,” you’ll find an astonishing array of grilling recipes designed to suit every palate and occasion. From perfectly seared burgers and succulent steaks to tender chicken and flavorful pork, every main dish imaginable is covered. But it doesn’t stop there! The guide also provides an incredible selection of innovative sauces and marinades, meticulously crafted to inject excitement and depth into even the most familiar ingredients. Ever thought about grilling pizza? Or perhaps transforming humble asparagus into a smoky, caramelized side dish that will surprise and delight your guests? This guide shows you how! And for those with a sweet tooth, there’s an entire chapter dedicated to desserts made right on the grill – a true revelation that will elevate your outdoor dining experience. Personally, I can hardly wait to dive into the drink chapter to find some refreshing concoctions to pair with all these delicious grilled creations, completing the perfect al fresco meal.
Naturally, I couldn’t wait to test out a recipe from this fantastic new guide, and I wholeheartedly believe I chose the perfect one to start with: these captivating Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers. They embody the guide’s promise of delicious, accessible, and impressive grilling, delivering on all fronts with their irresistible combination of flavors and textures.
Key Ingredients for Flavorful Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Crafting the perfect Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers begins with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that irresistible balance of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors, ensuring a truly memorable dish.
- Chicken: For this recipe, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are my top recommendation. Their higher fat content ensures they remain incredibly juicy and tender even after grilling, preventing them from drying out and resulting in a more flavorful bite. The natural richness of chicken thighs also stands up beautifully to the bold teriyaki and bacon flavors. However, if you prefer a leaner option, boneless, skinless chicken breasts can certainly be used; just be mindful to cut them into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and avoid overcooking, which can lead to dryness.
- Bacon: The type of bacon you choose makes a significant difference in the final outcome. Opt for regular-cut bacon, not thick-cut. Regular bacon crisps up beautifully on the grill without overwhelming the chicken, and its thinner nature makes it much easier to wrap securely around the chicken pieces, ensuring even cooking of both components. Thick-cut bacon, while delicious, tends to take longer to cook through and crisp, which can lead to overcooked chicken before the bacon is perfectly rendered and crispy.
- Pineapple: Fresh pineapple is a game-changer here, adding a crucial element of tropical sweetness and tang. Its natural sugars become wonderfully caramelized on the grill, creating a delightful sticky glaze and a bright, tangy counterpoint to the rich chicken and savory bacon. The firm texture of fresh pineapple also holds up much better during grilling, preventing it from becoming mushy or falling apart on the skewer. While canned pineapple chunks can be a convenient substitute in a pinch, ensure they are well-drained, and be aware that the texture and intense, vibrant flavor won’t quite match that of fresh fruit.
- Teriyaki Sauce: A high-quality teriyaki sauce is the heart of this marinade, infusing the chicken and pineapple with its signature umami-rich, sweet-and-savory profile. While many excellent store-bought options exist, I highly recommend using my homemade teriyaki sauce. It’s incredibly easy to make, allows you to control the sweetness and saltiness precisely to your liking, and truly elevates the overall flavor profile of these skewers. The fresh ingredients and balanced seasonings in a homemade sauce create a more vibrant and authentic taste that perfectly complements the chicken and pineapple, making every bite a delight.
Mastering the Art of Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Creating these sensational skewers is straightforward, yet a few key techniques will ensure they turn out perfectly juicy, crispy, and full of flavor. Follow these detailed steps for an unforgettable grilling experience, from preparation to plating:
- Prepare the Chicken and Bacon: Begin by cutting your boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts) into uniform, bite-sized pieces, roughly 1-inch cubes. Consistency in size is crucial for even cooking, as it prevents smaller pieces from drying out while larger ones are still cooking. Next, lay out your regular-cut bacon strips on a clean surface. Gently stretch each strip out a little lengthwise to make it more pliable. Then, cut each bacon strip into thirds. If you’re using center-cut bacon, which is typically shorter, cutting it in half might suffice. The goal is to have pieces long enough to wrap around a piece of chicken.
- Assemble the Skewers: Set up a neat workstation with your cubed chicken, cut bacon, and fresh pineapple chunks for efficient assembly. For each skewer, take one piece of bacon and wrap it snugly around a chicken piece. The bacon should completely encase the chicken if possible, or at least cover a good portion to keep it moist and infuse flavor. Thread this bacon-wrapped chicken onto a skewer, ensuring it’s secure. Then, add a chunk of pineapple, followed by another bacon-wrapped chicken piece. Continue this pattern, alternating between bacon-wrapped chicken and pineapple until the skewer is full. A good ratio is often two pieces of chicken for every one piece of pineapple, but you can adjust this based on your preference and the amount of each ingredient you have. Make sure not to pack the ingredients too tightly on the skewer, as this can hinder even cooking and browning. Leave a little space (about 1/4 inch) between each piece for hot air to circulate.
- Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Once all your skewers are expertly assembled, arrange them in a single layer within a 9×13-inch baking dish or a shallow, non-reactive container. Now, it’s time for the star of the show: the teriyaki marinade. Pour the teriyaki sauce generously over the skewers, making sure they are well coated on all sides. It’s vital to reserve about 1/4 cup of this sauce in a separate container for basting later; this prevents cross-contamination. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Allow the skewers to marinate for a minimum of 4 hours to let the savory and sweet flavors deeply penetrate the chicken. However, avoid marinating for longer than 8 hours, as the pineapple (due to its natural enzymes) can start to break down the chicken’s protein structure, potentially making it mushy.
- Preheat Your Grill: When you’re ready to cook, it’s time to prepare your grill. Preheat your grill to a medium temperature, aiming for 350-400°F (175-200°C). For gas grills, preheat all burners to medium. For charcoal grills, arrange coals for direct medium heat. Clean your grill grates thoroughly with a wire brush to remove any residual food particles. This not only prevents sticking but also ensures those beautiful, distinct grill marks on your skewers. Lightly oil the grates with a high-smoke-point oil (like canola or vegetable oil) using a folded paper towel held by tongs.
- Grill to Perfection: Carefully place the marinated skewers directly onto the preheated, oiled grill grates, ensuring there’s enough space between them for even cooking. Discard any leftover marinade from the dish; never reuse marinade that has touched raw meat without boiling it thoroughly first. Close the lid to help the chicken cook through evenly and the bacon to render. After about 7 minutes, use tongs to carefully turn the skewers to a different side. Now, liberally baste the skewers with the reserved teriyaki sauce. Continue cooking, turning and basting every few minutes, for an additional 7 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked (an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C when checked with an instant-read thermometer) and the bacon is beautifully crispy and rendered. The pineapple should also show lovely char marks and be tender and slightly caramelized.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once cooked, carefully remove the Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers from the grill and transfer them to a clean platter. Let them rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This crucial resting period allows the juices within the chicken to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor in every bite. Serve them warm as a spectacular main dish. They pair wonderfully with a variety of sides such as steamed white or brown rice, a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette, or other grilled vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes. These skewers are also fantastic served with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped green onions for an extra touch of freshness.
Expand Your Grilling Horizons: More Delicious Recipes
If you’ve enjoyed the sweet and savory delight of these Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers, you’re likely eager to explore more incredible grilling possibilities. The world of outdoor cooking is vast and exciting, offering endless opportunities to create flavorful meals. Here are some other fantastic recipes from our collection to keep your grill fired up and your taste buds tingling:
- Balsamic Grilled Flank Steak: A robust and flavorful steak, marinated in a tangy balsamic mixture for a truly satisfying and elegant meal that’s surprisingly easy to prepare.
- Baja Fish Tacos: Light, fresh, and bursting with vibrant flavors, these grilled fish tacos are perfect for a lighter summer meal or a fun weeknight dinner that transports you to the coast.
- Korean Flank Steak: Experience the rich, umami-packed flavors of authentic Korean barbecue right in your backyard with this tender and boldly seasoned flank steak.
- BBQ Pork Kabobs with Pineapple: Another fantastic skewer option, these feature succulent pieces of tender pork and sweet pineapple infused with a zesty and smoky BBQ sauce, making them a crowd-pleaser.
- Triple Pork Burgers: For the ultimate burger lover, these hearty patties offer an incredible depth of savory pork flavor, combining different cuts for a truly gourmet experience.
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Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Deborah Harroun
20 minutes
14 minutes
4 hours
4 hours 34 minutes
4 servings
Main Dish
Asian
Pin
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 8 oz bacon (not thick cut)
- 1 fresh pineapple (cut into chunks*)
- 3/4 cup homemade teriyaki sauce
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
- Remove the bacon from the package and stretch it out a little lengthwise. Cut the bacon into thirds. (If you use center cut bacon, it is shorter, so you’ll only need to cut it in half.)
- Set up a work station with the chicken, bacon and chunked pineapple. Wrap a piece of bacon around a piece of chicken, then add it to a skewer. Top with a chunk of pineapple. Repeat, using more bacon wrapped chicken and pineapple. (I mostly did 2 pieces of chicken and then a pineapple chunk, repeating.)
- Place the skewers in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the teriyaki sauce over the top of the skewers, reserving about 1/4 cup of the sauce. Cover the dish and marinate for at least 4 hours, but no longer than 8 hours.
- Preheat a grill to 350º-400ºF. Place the skewers on the grill and baste with the remaining teriyaki sauce. Cook for 7 minutes, turn the skewers and baste with the remaining teriyaki sauce. Cook an additional 7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is crispy.
Recipe Notes:
You may not use all of the bacon or all of the pineapple.
Adapted from The Ultimate Grill Guide by Our Best Bites
chicken kabobs, grilled chicken, teriyaki skewers, bacon chicken, pineapple chicken, summer grilling