Anytime is time to fire up the grill! These chipotle flavored Traeger Chicken Kabobs are juicy, tender chicken marinated in a smoky, chipotle sauce. They're then grilled to perfection.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Chipotle marinated chicken kabobs on the Traeger are perfect summer weeknight or summer barbecue fare. They're also a great option for a quick and easy summer weeknight meal.
If you're looking for a delicious and easy recipe to try, then you need to make these chipotle chicken kabobs on the Traeger. Things you will love about this recipe are:
- Easy. Marinate, skewer, grill. These chicken kabobs on the Traeger, or any grill, couldn't get easier!
- Versatile. You can use chicken breast meat, thigh meat, or go in a completely different direction and use pork or beef!
- Delicious. The smoky chipotle marinade barbecues up with a lovely crust on the edges of the grilled meat.
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Chicken Kabobs on Traeger Ingredients
These kabobs are made with juicy chicken that is marinated in a smoky, chipotle sauce. They're then grilled to perfection, giving them a charred exterior and a tender, flavorful interior.
You can grill chicken kabobs on the Traeger, or any grill! You can even broil them in an oven if you don't have an outdoor grill.
- Chicken - Boneless, skinless chicken (breast or thighs).
- Olive oil
- Honey
- Garlic powder
- Chipotle powder
- Cumin, ground
- Salt
For The Chipotle BBQ Sauce
- Barbecue Sauce - Any homemade or store bought barbecue sauce. Honey, Hickory, Mesquite, use what you love.
- Honey
- Adobo Chipotle Pepper - These come in a jar or a can, and you will need two of them, chopped up. Use gloves if you're sensitive to
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Traeger Chicken Kabobs
These kabobs are perfect served on their own with a side of rice or vegetables. They can also be used to make a variety of other dishes, such as salads, wraps, or tacos.
If you're looking for a more substantial meal, you can serve them over rice or quinoa. Or, if you're looking for something lighter, you can serve them with a side of grilled vegetables.
Prepare Chipotle Marinade
- In a bowl, or directly in a one gallon Ziploc storage bag, pour the oil, honey, chipotle powder, ground cumin, and salt. Seal the bag and mix the marinade contents.
- Add the chicken to the bag and seal. Shake contents so that the chicken is fully coated and refrigerate for 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours.
Prepare Chipotle BBQ Sauce
Use whatever barbecue sauce you have or like as the base to this quick and easy chipotle seasoned basting sauce. If you like a milder chipotle flavor (they are hot) use only one adobo chipotle instead of two.
- Add the minced adobo chipotle pepper to a small mixing bowl with the barbecue sauce and honey.
- Mix the barbecue sauce miture together until smooth and blended.
PRO TIP: You can use a mini food processor to puree the barbecue sauce and the adobo chipotle for a smoother mixture also.
Prepare The Grill
- Whether you're using a gas, charcoal, or pellet Traeger grill, heat it to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and oil the grates with oil.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and thread on wooden or metal skewers. Discard any remaining marinade in the Ziploc bag, do not reuse it!
PRO TIP: If using wooden skewers, be sure to soak in cold water for 30 minutes so they absorb water and don't burn in the grill.
Place Chicken Kabobs On The Traeger
- Place the chicken kabobs on the Traeger (or grill) and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, basting with the chipotle BBQ sauce and turning halfway.
- Coat the kabobs on the Traeger with the chipotle barbecue sauce and continue grilling for an additional 2 to 4 minutes, or until the barbecue sauce has glazed the chicken.
- Remove from the grill and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Whether you're grilling for a backyard barbecue or a family dinner, these chipotle chicken Traeger kabobs are sure to be a hit. They're easy to make, delicious to eat, and perfect for any time of year.
Throw some Cebollitas Asadas (Mexican Grilled Onions) on the Traeger at the same time for a very special side also!
Serve these Traeger chicken kabobs with sides like our recipes below:
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitution and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations using this Traeger kabobs recipe as a starting point:
- Use a different type of meat. A tender cut of pork cut into large chunks and marinated is divine on the Traeger or grill. Likewise tender beef steak. Don't use a cut that requires long cooking times to be tender though.
- Switch your BBQ sauce up! You might like our Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce recipe, our Kentucky Bourbon BBQ Sauce, Pineapple BBQ Sauce, or our Teriyaki Sauce recipes.
- Alternate the meat chunks with pieces of pineapple, peach, or vegetables like onion chunks or bell pepper!
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making any type of kabobs on the Traeger.
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Storage and Reheating
- Store leftover Traeger kabobs in a covered container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can remove them from the skewers also for easier storage.
- Make a rice and meat bowl with the barbecued meat chunks later. Simply reheat in the microwave with some leftover rice (or freshly made with our White Steamed Rice recipe) until heated.
Tips for Success
- If using wooden skewers, soak in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This will help prevent them from burning.
- If you don't have a Traeger grill, you can cook these kabobs on any type of grill. Just be sure to cook them over medium heat until the chicken is cooked through.
- If you don't like chipotle BBQ, you can substitute a different type of BBQ sauce.
- You can also add other vegetables to these kabobs, such as zucchini, mushrooms, or squash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use any type of chicken you like. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work best though.
You can add any type of vegetables you like. Some of our favorites include red bell peppers, onions, zucchini, mushrooms, and squash.
Yes, you can make these kabobs ahead of time and then grill them later. Simply marinate the chicken and vegetables in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours. Then, grill them according to the instructions.
The chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
You can use any type of grill to cook these kabobs. If you're using a gas grill, preheat it to medium heat. If you're using a charcoal or pellet grill, preheat it to medium-high heat and then let it burn for about 15 minutes before adding the kabobs.
More Delish Ideas
📖 Recipe
Chipotle Traeger Chicken Kabobs
Equipment
- skewers, stainless steel
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken boneless, skinless breast or thighs
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For The Chipotle BBQ Sauce
- 12 oz Barbecue sauce Your Favorite
- 3 tablespoon honey
- 2 adobo chipotle peppers minced up
Instructions
- In a bowl, or directly in a one gallon Ziploc storage bag, pour the oil, honey, chipotle powder, ground cumin, and salt. Seal the bag and mix the marinade contents.2 lbs chicken, ¼ cup olive oil, 3 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon chipotle powder, ½ teaspoon cumin powder, ½ teaspoon salt
- Add the chicken to the bag and seal. Shake contents so that the chicken is fully coated and refrigerate for 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours.
- Add the minced adobo chipotle pepper to a small mixing bowl with the barbecue sauce and honey. Mix the barbecue sauce mixture together until smooth.PRO TIP: You can use a mini food processor to puree the barbecue sauce and the adobo chipotle for a smoother mixture also.12 oz Barbecue sauce, 3 tablespoon honey, 2 adobo chipotle peppers
- Whether you're using a gas, charcoal, or pellet Traeger grill, heat it to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and oil the grates with oil.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and thread on wooden or metal skewers. Discard any remaining marinade in the Ziploc bag, do not reuse it!PRO TIP: If using wooden skewers, be sure to soak in cold water for 30 minutes so they absorb water and don't burn in the grill.
- Place the chicken kabobs on the Traeger (or grill) and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, basting with the chipotle BBQ sauce and turning halfway.
- Coat the kabobs on the Traeger with the chipotle barbecue sauce and continue grilling for an additional 2 to 4 minutes, or until the barbecue sauce has glazed the chicken.
- Remove from the grill and let the chicken kabobs rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- If using wooden skewers, soak in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This will help prevent them from burning.
- If you don't have a Traeger grill, you can cook these kabobs on any type of grill. Just be sure to cook them over medium heat until the chicken is cooked through.
- If you don't like chipotle BBQ, you can substitute a different type of BBQ sauce.
- You can also add other vegetables to these kabobs, such as zucchini, mushrooms, or squash.
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