Chicken Skewers with Zesty Bacon Ranch Cole Slaw: Your Ultimate Summer Grilling Duo

As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, the irresistible scent of the grill beckons. Grilling season is just around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited to share a recipe that perfectly encapsulates the joy of warm weather dining: these incredibly easy Chicken Skewers with a vibrant Bacon Ranch Cole Slaw. This dynamic duo promises to elevate your outdoor cooking experience, delivering bold flavors and effortless preparation straight to your menu. Get ready to fire up the grill and savor the taste of summer!

A Partnership in Flavor: Celebrating Tony Chachere’s Creole Cuisine

I am absolutely thrilled to be sharing today’s Chicken Skewers with Bacon Ranch Cole Slaw recipe, made possible with the fantastic products from my good friends at Tony Chachere’s Famous Creole Cuisine. If you’ve been following my culinary journey, you already know what a huge fan I am of Tony’s products. They’ve been a consistent staple in my kitchen for many years, adding that special touch of Creole magic to countless dishes. This year, I’m particularly excited to announce that today’s recipe marks the first in a year-long partnership with Tony’s in 2020! So, prepare yourselves for a continuous stream of serious Creole goodness heading your way – I promise, it’s going to be delicious.

What I appreciate most about Tony Chachere’s isn’t just the exceptional quality of their ingredients, but how effortlessly they transform a simple meal into something truly extraordinary. Their products make serving a delicious, flavor-packed dinner for my family incredibly simple, even on busy weeknights. Moreover, Tony’s is always innovating and adding new and exciting products to their line, which means there’s always something new to discover and incorporate into my cooking adventures.

The Star Ingredients: Elevating Your Dish with Tony Chachere’s

For today’s mouth-watering recipe, I’ve harnessed the power of three of their incredible products to infuse every bite with authentic Creole flair and maximum flavor. First up is Tony’s Creole Style Chicken 30 Minute Marinade. This marinade is a game-changer, quickly infusing the chicken with a rich, savory depth that keeps it incredibly tender and juicy on the grill. It’s a fantastic shortcut to flavor without compromising on quality.

Next, we have their iconic Original Creole Seasoning. This legendary blend is a pantry essential, offering that perfect balance of heat and spice that defines Creole cooking. I use it to season everything from eggs to vegetables, and it adds an extra layer of complexity to these skewers.

Finally, and perhaps most excitingly, I’ve incorporated their brand spanking’ new Creole Style Ranch Salad Dressing. This was my very first time trying this dressing, and WOW – I am absolutely smitten! It’s a fantastic flavor blend that marries the creamy richness of buttermilk with a delightful kick of peppercorns and classic Creole spices. This dressing single-handedly transforms what would be regular old cole slaw into an unbelievably flavor-packed side dish that perfectly complements the smoky, succulent chicken, pepper, and onion skewers. It’s a truly addictive combination that you’ll want to make again and again.

Crafting the Perfect Chicken Skewers: Simple, Flavorful, and Grilled to Perfection

These chicken skewers truly couldn’t be simpler to prepare, yet they deliver an impressive burst of flavor that will delight your family and guests. The secret to their incredible taste and tenderness lies in Tony Chachere’s Creole Style Chicken 30 Minute Marinade. I simply cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and let them soak up all that savory goodness for just half an hour. This marinade not only tenderizes the chicken but also infuses it with a robust blend of Creole spices, ensuring every piece is packed with flavor.

While the chicken is busy marinating and absorbing those delicious spices, I prepare the vibrant vegetables. Fresh, colorful chunks of yellow and green bell peppers, along with sweet yellow onion, are the ideal companions for the chicken. Once marinated, the chicken pieces are threaded onto skewers, alternating with the prepared peppers and onions. The array of colors not only makes the skewers visually appealing but also adds layers of fresh, crisp texture and sweet, savory notes that perfectly complement the chicken. This simple preparation makes for an incredibly satisfying main course that’s light, healthy, and full of character.

The Ultimate Side Dish: Zesty Bacon Ranch Cole Slaw

While the chicken marinates, it’s the perfect time to whip up the star side dish: the Bacon Ranch Cole Slaw. This isn’t just any cole slaw; it’s a zesty, creamy, and undeniably addictive concoction that will steal the show alongside your grilled chicken. The base features a delightful combination of crisp red and green cabbage, offering a beautiful color contrast and satisfying crunch. Shredded carrots add a touch of sweetness and earthy flavor, while finely chopped green pepper and red onion introduce a fresh, pungent bite that balances the richness of the dressing.

But what truly sets this slaw apart is the addition of crispy bacon bits and a handful of sweet golden raisins. The bacon brings a smoky, savory depth and an irresistible crunch, while the golden raisins introduce a surprising burst of chewy sweetness that brightens the entire dish. All these wonderful ingredients are then generously tossed with Tony Chachere’s brand new Creole Style Ranch Dressing. This dressing, with its rich buttermilk base and a hint of Creole spice, binds everything together, creating a creamy, tangy, and subtly spicy flavor profile that is absolutely divine. A touch of granulated sugar enhances the natural sweetness, and a pinch of celery seed adds a classic, aromatic note that ties all the flavors together beautifully. This side dish is truly a game-changer!

Why This Cole Slaw Will Be Your New Favorite

Seriously, I believe that once you try this unique version of cole slaw, you’ll find it incredibly difficult to go back to the plain, uninspired varieties. The secret weapon, Tony Chachere’s Creole Style Ranch Dressing, imparts a creamy texture and an explosion of savory, tangy, and subtly spicy flavors that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. It’s a harmonious blend that creates a truly unforgettable side dish. The combination of crispy bacon, sweet raisins, and fresh vegetables all coated in that distinctive Creole ranch makes every bite a delightful experience. This slaw isn’t just a side; it’s a vibrant, flavorful component that completes your meal with character and charm.

So, the next time Mother Nature blesses us with that glorious, warm spring or summer weather, don’t hesitate! It’s the perfect signal to dust off your grill, gather your ingredients, and give these incredible chicken skewers and the sensational Bacon Ranch Cole Slaw a try. This pairing is guaranteed to become a cherished spring and summer favorite for quick weeknight meals, festive gatherings, and everything in between. Enjoy the flavors of the season, crafted with ease and packed with Creole zest!

More Summer Favorites from The Beach House Kitchen

Looking for more grilling season inspiration or fantastic side dishes? Be sure to explore some of my other top picks:

• My homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning, perfect for adding a fiery, aromatic kick to chicken, pork, or fish.
• My comforting and hearty Baked Three Bean Casserole, an ideal accompaniment to any grilled meal.

Essential Cook’s Notes for Best Results

To ensure your Chicken Skewers with Bacon Ranch Cole Slaw turn out perfectly every time, here are a few extra tips from my kitchen to yours:

• Extra Seasoning: I highly recommend serving the cooked skewers and slaw with a small bowl of Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning on the side for sprinkling. It’s a fantastic flavor enhancer that my family loves to add to nearly everything for that extra kick of Creole zest.
• Veggie Versatility: Feel free to customize your skewers with your favorite vegetables! While green and yellow peppers and yellow onion are fantastic, red or orange peppers, red onion, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or even mushrooms would also be delicious additions. Choose what you love most to make the skewers uniquely yours.
• Perfect Grilling: For tender, juicy chicken, grill your skewers for approximately 4-5 minutes per side. The key is to cook them just until the chicken is no longer pink inside and cooked through. Avoid overcooking to prevent dry chicken. A meat thermometer should read 165°F (74°C) for cooked chicken.
• Marinating Time: While the Creole Style Chicken Marinade works wonders in just 30 minutes, you can extend the marinating time to up to 2 hours for even deeper flavor penetration if your schedule allows.
• Make-Ahead Slaw: The Bacon Ranch Cole Slaw is actually even better the next day once the flavors have had a chance to meld. Feel free to prepare it the night before your gathering for easy entertaining!

Chicken Skewers with Bacon Ranch Cole Slaw

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings: 6 servings

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Grilling season will be here soon, so you NEED to get these easy Chicken Skewers and Bacon Ranch Cole Slaw on the menu!

Prep Time: 30 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

Bacon Ranch Cole Slaw

• 10 slices bacon, chopped
• 4 cups green cabbage, shredded
• 2 cups red cabbage, shredded
• 2 carrots, about 1 cup, shredded
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 1/3 cup green pepper, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup Tony Chachere’s Ranch Dressing
• 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. celery seed

Chicken Skewers

• 2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 cup Tony Chachere’s Creole Style Chicken Marinade
• 1 large green pepper, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 large yellow pepper, cut into one-inch cubes
• 1 large yellow onion, cut into chunks

Instructions

Bacon Ranch Cole Slaw

1. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, cook bacon until crispy. Remove from skillet with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside.
2. Add the shredded green and red cabbage, shredded carrot, green pepper, red onion, and reserved crispy bacon to a large bowl.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together Tony Chachere’s Ranch Dressing, granulated sugar, celery seed, and black pepper (optional) until well blended. Toss the cabbage mixture with the dressing until well combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld.

Chicken Skewers

1. Add the chicken cubes and Tony Chachere’s Creole Style Chicken Marinade to a large bowl. Toss to coat evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to marinate for one hour.
2. When ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from the refrigerator and thread chicken cubes, peppers, and onions onto skewers, alternating as desired. Lightly spray your grill grates with nonstick cooking spray. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, or until the chicken is no longer pink inside and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C). Remove from the grill and place on a platter to serve immediately with the chilled Bacon Ranch Cole Slaw.

Nutrition

Calories: 617kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 134mg | Sodium: 878mg | Potassium: 1073mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 700IU | Vitamin C: 125mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 2mg

Keyword: skewers, bbq, cole slaw

Cuisine: American, Creole

Course: Main Dish

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