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Bold, seasonal flavors come together in this savory-sweet take on grilled chicken. These apple cider chicken skewers with gouda sauce are marinated in a spiced apple cider blend, grilled to juicy perfection and drizzled with a creamy gouda cheese sauce. The balance of sweetness from the cider and richness from the cheese makes this dish ideal for cozy autumn meals, dinner parties or simply leveling up your weeknight dinner. The sauce alone is worth making on repeat.
Apple cider chicken skewers with gouda sauce are smoky, juicy and loaded with autumn-inspired flavor. Serve them hot with the rich, creamy cheese sauce.
If you love trying new recipes, you might like to make sweet potato casserole stacks, tilapia Baja fish nachos or Fireball apple shortcakes.
Why You’ll Love It
Flavor-packed: The cider marinade adds sweet, spicy depth to every bite.
Perfect for grilling: Skewers cook quickly and evenly on the grill.
Creamy bonus: The gouda sauce is velvety, rich and indulgent.
Impressive but easy: Looks gourmet without being complicated.
Apple Cider Chicken Skewers Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless, cut into chunks for easy grilling.
Apple cider: Adds a sweet, fruity base to the marinade.
Olive oil: Helps bind the marinade and keeps the chicken juicy.
Brown sugar: Balances acidity and adds subtle sweetness.
Apple cider vinegar: Brightens the marinade and the sauce.
Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, red pepper flakes, black pepper, ginger, and cinnamon provide a balanced, warming profile.
Cornstarch: Thickens the marinade into a sticky glaze.
Milk and cream: Form the creamy base of the gouda sauce.
Salted butter: Adds richness and helps melt the cheeses.
Cheese: Velveeta, gouda and parmesan blend into a smooth, cheesy, savory sauce.
Seasonings for sauce: Cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, nutmeg, and black pepper boost the flavor and balance the richness.
How to Make Apple Cider Chicken Gouda Skewers
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make a slurry: Mix cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl.
Make the marinade: Combine all marinade ingredients, including slurry, in a saucepan and heat until thickened.
Cool and divide: Set aside one cup of marinade for grilling, then pour the rest over the chicken.
Marinate: Refrigerate chicken in marinade for at least 4 hours.
Assemble skewers: Thread marinated chicken onto skewers and season with salt.
Grill and glaze: Cook over high heat, brushing with reserved marinade at each turn until done.
Rest the meat: Let chicken sit a few minutes before serving.
Make the sauce: Heat milk, cream, butter, and seasonings, then whisk in cheeses and vinegar until smooth.
Serve: Plate the grilled skewers and pour over the gouda sauce.
Substitutions and Variations
Use different cheese: Try smoked gouda, sharp cheddar or fontina for a twist.
Add veggies: Alternate chicken with chunks of apple, red onion or squash.
Make it spicier: Add extra cayenne or a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
With a salad: Pair your chicken skewers with a garden veggie macaroni salad or lemon parmesan salad.
With sides: Enjoy some bacon wrapped tater tots, smashed potato salad or burrata stuffed tomatoes with them.
How to Store Apple Cider Chicken and Gouda Skewers
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze the chicken skewers in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Don’t freeze the cheese sauce though.
Thaw: Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm these back up in the oven or air fryer.
Top Tips
Let the marinade cool fully: A hot marinade would start cooking the chicken too early.
Oil the grill grates: This helps prevent sticking and keeps grill marks clean.
Brush often: Regular glazing gives the chicken a glossy, flavorful finish.
Apple Cider Grilled Chicken Skewers FAQs
Yes, but reheat gently on low heat and add a splash of milk to loosen if needed.
Yes, just broil or bake them, flipping halfway and basting with the reserved marinade.
Yes, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
Apple Cider Grilled Chicken Skewers with Gouda Cheese Sauce Recipe
Apple Cider Chicken Skewers with Gouda Sauce
Equipment
- Saucepan Small
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless skinless, cut into 1 ½-inch cubes
- 12 Ounces apple cider, still or sparkling
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ Teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ Teaspoon onion powder
- ½ Teaspoon thyme, dried
- ¼ Teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
- ½ Teaspoon salt , plus additional for seasoning meat
- ¼ Teaspoon ginger
- ¼ Teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ Cup water, cold
For the Gouda Cheese Sauce
- ¾ Cup milk
- ¼ Cup heavy cream
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter
- ½ Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 Ounces Velveeta cheese
- 12 Ounces Gouda cheese, shredded
- ¼ Cup Parmesan cheese
- ⅛ Teaspoon cayenne
- ⅛ Teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ Teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ Teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ Teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- In a small bowl mix together the cornstarch and cold water until combined
- In a small saucepan, mix together all the marinade ingredients (except for the chicken), including the cornstarch slurry you made in step one.
- Heat the mixture on medium high heat until it has begun to thicken.
- Remove the marinade from the heat and set aside to cool.
- Once the marinade has cooled, pour 1 cup of the marinade into a container and set aside, you will be using this mixture to glaze the chicken as it cooks on the grill.
- The remaining marinade should be poured over the chicken in a container with a lid, mix thoroughly to coat the chicken.
- Cover the chicken and let sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours (up to 24 hours).
- When it's time to cook the chicken, take the marinated chicken out of the fridge and thread the pieces onto grill skewers.
- Lightly season both sides of the skewers with salt.
Grill the Chicken Skewers
- Preheat the grill to high.
- Be sure to oil the grill grates then place the chicken skewers on the grill for several minutes on each side. Every time you turn the skewers brush them generously with the reserved marinade.
- Continue to flip and brush the skewers every few minutes. When your chicken has finished cooking (165 degrees F in the middle) remove from the grill and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
Make the Gouda Cheese Sauce
- In a small saucepan, heat the milk, cream, seasonings, and butter until hot.
- Turn the heat to low and add in the Velveeta, whisk together until the Velveeta has melted.
- Slowly add in the Gouda and Parmesan cheeses.
- Add the apple cider vinegar and whisk until everything has melted and is combined.
- Add more milk if it's too thick or cook for a bit longer if not thick enough.
- Remove from the heat, and serve immediately with Gouda cheese sauce.
Notes
Oil the grill grates: This helps prevent sticking and keeps grill marks clean.
Brush often: Regular glazing gives the chicken a glossy, flavorful finish.
Nutrition
Apple cider chicken skewers with gouda sauce are packed with cozy, layered flavors that hit the sweet, savory and spicy notes just right. The juicy grilled chicken, kissed with cider glaze, pairs beautifully with the creamy gouda sauce. This recipe fits seamlessly into autumn menus but works any time you want comfort food with a twist. Add a fresh salad or roasted veg on the side, and you’ve got a meal worth repeating.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
The chicken picked up a subtle sweetness from the cider, and that creamy Gouda sauce drizzled on top was totally swoon-worthy. They were super easy to make and paired so well with roasted veggies.
This tastes so good! I’m really pleased I went with this recipe.
Omg I super love this recipe! It was a hit last night with my relatives!
The marinade is just so flavorful, I will never make my chicken any other way. It’s that good!
My mouth is watering just thinking about this dish!!
These look so good! I love Gouda dip