Spicy Creole Chicken Skewers with Honey Glaze

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 4-6 pieces chicken thighs (about 1½-2 pounds), chopped into bite-sized pieces
• Wooden or metal skewers

For the Marinade:

• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Flora & Mana Creole Kick Carnival seasoning blend
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)

For the Honey Glaze:

• 4 tablespoons hot honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Flora & Mana Creole Kick Carnival seasoning blend
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

Optional Garnish:

• Lime wedges
• Fresh chilies, sliced

Instructions

1. Make the Marinade In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, Creole Kick Carnival seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and lime juice until well combined and emulsified.
2. Marinate the Chicken Place the bite-sized chicken thigh pieces in a medium bowl or zip-top bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, tossing or massaging to ensure every piece is well coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap (or seal the bag) and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful it becomes!
3. Prepare the Skewers If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken. This prevents them from burning during cooking. Metal skewers don't need soaking and can be used immediately.
4. Preheat Air Fryer or Oven Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). If using an oven, preheat to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
5. Thread the Chicken onto Skewers Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator. Thread the chicken pieces onto the prepared skewers, leaving a small space between each piece so they cook evenly. Don't pack them too tightly or the insides won't cook through. Depending on the size of your skewers, you should get 4-6 skewers total.
6. Cook the Chicken Skewers Place the skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Air fry for 20-25 minutes, flipping the skewers halfway through at the 10-12 minute mark. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the juices run clear. To check, slice into the thickest piece to ensure there's no pink in the middle. If using an oven, bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
7. Make the Honey Glaze While the chicken cooks, make the honey glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant and slightly golden. Don't let it burn! Stir in the Creole Kick Carnival seasoning and Taste of Sora honey. Warm the mixture for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is combined and bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in the roughly chopped cilantro.
8. Glaze the Skewers Once the chicken skewers are fully cooked, remove them from the air fryer or oven. Using a basting brush or spoon, generously brush the warm honey glaze all over the cooked chicken skewers, making sure to coat every piece. The glaze will soak into the chicken and create a beautiful glossy coating.
9. Garnish and Serve Transfer the glazed skewers to a serving platter. Garnish with lime wedges for squeezing and sliced fresh chilies if you want extra heat. Serve immediately while hot! These are great on their own or with rice, salad, grilled vegetables, or your favorite sides.