This blog post and recipe was created in partnership with the Sioux Honey Association Co-op. They are made up of over 250 independent family beekeepers right here in the USA, who play an integral part in helping pollinate the surrounding supply of fruit and vegetables. When I read that one in every three bites of food we eat depends on bee pollination I really felt an urgency to read up more and find ways to do my part in supporting the industry. In the US alone, honey bees pollinate $50 billion worth of crops a year!

The Sioux Honey Association Co-op is not a large scale operation. They formed after being inspired by the cooperation between bees, sharing ideas and resources to bring more honey to the market. I love that. I love their Sue Bee Clover Honey bear, it’s a classic kitchen staple that I’m proud to have on my breakfast table for everything from sweetening tea to drizzling over fruit and cheese. A honey bear in the kitchen is warm and nostalgic, loving and wholesome like my grandmother. Why is it that the older some of us get, the more we value the little things our parents and grandparents did for us? Always a honey bear on the table, a jar of freshly made grape jelly in the pantry, yard eggs in a wire basket next to the stove. It was always love in the form of a full belly and I suppose a lot of my cooking ideas spring from these memories. We love a recipe that uses simple ingredients that are easy to find...and these hot honey chicken skewers are no different.

How do I make hot honey chicken skewers?

These hot honey chicken skewers require so few ingredients - It’s my favorite “no-recipe” and the star is Sue Bee Clover Honey. Sue Bee is premium, U.S. Grade A honey tested for quality and only contains one ingredient: Honey! You can find Sioux Honey in most major retailers or online here. If you have the honey and a bottle of hot sauce in your fridge then you’re all set! Sometimes the best kind of meals are those that use up bottles of condiments in the fridge :) Simply use honey to add sweetness to whichever spicy sauce you’re using and marinate your seasoned chicken pieces before arranging on metal skewers. I add garlic and fresh herbs for dimension, and serve with fresh lemon. Though I’m making chicken skewers today we often use the same technique for other cuts of meat like pork chops or salmon. Some of our favorite things to stir honey into are:

- Dijon mustard + honey
- Balsamic vinegar + honey
- Wasabi paste + honey- Korean red pepper paste + honey
- Fresh lemon juice + honey

The options are endless!

Hot Honey Chicken Skewers Recipe:
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 12 minutes | Serves: 4

Ingredients:
1 lb boneless skinless chicken thigh pieces (1 -inch pieces)
1 ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1 tablespoon garlic powder OR finely minced fresh garlic
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons Sue Bee Clover Honey
2 tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce (I used a mild habanero hot sauce)

Special equipment: Griddle pan, metal skewers
Mashed potatoes and steamed green bean recipe follows.

Guidelines:
In a medium bowl, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder and parsley. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 3 hours. This step isn’t absolutely necessary, but will ensure that your chicken is seasoned throughout. When ready to cook, remove chicken from your refrigerator 15 minutes prior to cooking.

Place a griddle pan over medium heat on the stovetop.

Combine hot sauce and honey, pour half this mixture over the chicken and gently mix so that everything is coated. Arrange 3-4 pieces onto each metal skewer. Spray griddle with neutral oil then place skewers in griddle pan, 3-4 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165F. You may have to do this in batches.

Remove skewers from griddle pan, serve immediately with remaining hot honey sauce. I love to brush some sauce on the chicken skewers prior to serving. I enjoy mine with creamy mashed potatoes or double parmesan cauliflower mash and steamed green beans. It would go really well with some lime wedges and a crunchy slaw as well!

Steamed green beans - Bring a saucepan with water to a boil. Place green beans on a steamer rack inside saucepan and place lid on. Steam for 3-5 minutes or until desired doneness. Season with kosher salt and serve.

Mashed Potatoes - Peel and cube 2lbs potatoes. Add to a pot with salted water at room temperature and bring to a boil over medium-high heat (15-20 minutes) until fork tender. Drain the water and place pot back on the stovetop over low heat. Add 1/2 cup milk and 6 tablespoons butter. Use a potato masher until the potatoes are creamy, then season to taste with salt and serve.

Thank you, Sue Bee, for being a wonderful partner!