Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to create perfectly grilled and flavourful Honey Mustard Chicken Skewers:

1. Prepare the Honey Mustard Marinade:

• In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and the marinade is smooth and emulsified. This ensures all the flavours are properly blended and will coat the chicken evenly.
• Taste the marinade and adjust seasonings as needed. You may want to add a touch more honey for sweetness, mustard for tanginess, or salt and pepper to taste. Remember that the flavour will intensify as the chicken marinates.

2. Marinate the Chicken:

• Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Uniformly sized cubes will ensure even cooking on the grill.
• Place the chicken cubes into the bowl with the honey mustard marinade. Toss to coat the chicken thoroughly, ensuring each piece is well covered in the marinade.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the chicken and marinade to a resealable plastic bag.
• Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or ideally for 2-4 hours for maximum flavour infusion. Longer marinating times (up to 4 hours) will result in more tender and flavourful chicken. Do not marinate for longer than 8 hours, as the acidity in the marinade can start to break down the chicken too much, affecting its texture.

3. Prepare the Skewers (If using vegetables):

• If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes while the chicken marinates. This prevents them from burning on the grill.
• If adding vegetables, wash and chop them into bite-sized pieces, approximately the same size as the chicken cubes. Bell peppers should be seeded and cut into squares, onions into wedges, and zucchini into rounds or half-moons.
• Thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers, alternating with vegetables if desired. Aim to leave a small space between each piece to allow for even cooking and airflow. Don’t overcrowd the skewers. If you are just doing chicken skewers, aim for about 4-5 chicken cubes per skewer for easy handling and grilling.

4. Preheat the Grill:

• Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 375-450°F or 190-230°C). A medium-high heat will allow the chicken to cook through without burning on the outside.
• Clean the grill grates with a grill brush to remove any debris from previous grilling sessions. This prevents sticking and ensures clean grill marks.
• Lightly oil the grill grates with cooking oil (such as vegetable oil or canola oil) using tongs and a paper towel. This will further prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill.

5. Grill the Chicken Skewers:

• Carefully place the honey mustard chicken skewers onto the preheated grill.
• Grill for approximately 8-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a chicken cube to check for doneness.
• During the last few minutes of grilling, you can brush the skewers with any remaining marinade from the bowl for an extra glaze and flavour boost. Be sure to cook the marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken thoroughly by grilling it for a few minutes to ensure food safety.
• Look for nice grill marks and a slightly caramelized glaze from the honey. Avoid charring the skewers excessively.

6. Rest and Serve:

• Once the chicken skewers are cooked through, remove them from the grill and place them on a clean platter.
• Tent loosely with foil and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken, resulting in more tender and flavourful skewers.
• Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Honey Mustard Chicken Skewers!