Grilled Mint Julep Bourbon Chicken Skewers

Perfect for the Kentucky Derby, these Mint Julep Bourbon Chicken Skewers are a simple, flavorful appetizer. They’re ideal for derby parties but also excellent year-round for grilling nights and casual gatherings.

I first developed this recipe when I hosted a Kentucky Derby party. The mint julep is a classic Derby cocktail, and I wanted to capture those bright mint and bourbon flavors in a bite-sized skewer. The result is a tangy, slightly sweet bourbon marinade brightened with lemon and fresh mint — perfect for grilling.

These Mint Julep Bourbon Chicken Skewers are versatile: make them on small skewers for appetizers or on larger skewers as a main course. They’re quick to prepare, grill up beautifully, and are a crowd-pleaser for parties, backyard barbecues, or weeknight dinners.

How to make them

Combine bourbon, brown sugar, fresh mint leaves, balsamic vinegar, and ground allspice in a large bowl. Add the zest and juice of one lemon and whisk together. Add diced chicken breast and stir so each piece is well coated with the marinade.

Cover and refrigerate to marinate for 30 minutes. After marinating, remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and set the reserved marinade aside (see the sauce section below for safe use).

You can skewer the chicken in two main ways depending on how you plan to serve them: skewer 8–10 pieces per large skewer for a main-dish portion, or put 2 pieces per small skewer for appetizer-sized bites. If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30–60 minutes before threading to prevent burning on the grill.

Grill the skewers over medium heat, turning occasionally, until cooked through and slightly charred at the edges — about 8–10 minutes per side for larger skewers or a total of roughly 20 minutes with rotation for smaller pieces. Remove from the grill and garnish with additional fresh mint leaves before serving. For a refined appetizer, remove the chicken from larger skewers, top each piece with a mint leaf, and secure with a toothpick.

How to use the marinade as a sauce

If you want to use the reserved marinade as a sauce, bring it to a vigorous boil in a small saucepan over high heat and boil for 1–2 minutes. Boiling will kill any bacteria and reduce the marinade into a glossy sauce safe to serve with the cooked chicken. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.

If you prefer to make a fresh sauce instead, combine 2 tablespoons bourbon, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, simmer for 1–2 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool slightly before serving alongside the skewers.

Serve these skewers warm with extra mint for brightness. They pair well with simple sides like grilled vegetables, a crisp green salad, rice pilaf, or crusty bread to soak up any extra sauce. For Derby parties, offer them alongside classic mint juleps for a playful pairing.

Happy cooking — and if you’re making these for the Kentucky Derby, enjoy the celebration!

Recipe