I have three favorite times of the year: 1. Christmas season 2. football season 3. fig season. Yes, figs. You know that fruit – seemingly boring looking on the outside but interesting pop-of-color and texture inside. Figs are so much more than those nasty sandwich newton cookies you had as a kid.
So whenever I see a pretty little package of my fresh favs at Trader Joe’s, I bust out my happy dance.
After I got home and popped a few in my mouth, I thought, “what else can I do to incorporate these into a meal?” So the experiment began….What about a fig balsamic glaze for grilled chicken skewers? Bingo.
One small problem, I’ve never grilled before. Like, ever. I LOVE being in the kitchen, but when it comes to that big, intimidating, shiny, hot thing outside, I leave that up to the hubby. Unfortunately, when I’m feeling inspired, I cannot wait. And he wasn’t home. So I dared to grill, for the first time in my life. Overcoming fears people. #risktaker
I won’t bore you with details (and saving myself the embarrassment), but I’ll put this disclaimer out there – when you turn on the gas, open the lid before you push the ignite switch. Let’s just say I’m really lucky I still have a face. Moving on…
What I love about these skewers is the light flavor of the fig/balsamic combo. The taste is subtle yet gives a hint of neutral sweetness. And the skewers are SO tender! These are sure to impress and super easy to make. Prep takes around 10 minutes and grilling is another 10-12 minutes (unless you burn off your face or fingers, then it will probably set you back a few). In less than 25 minutes you have dinner, lunch, snack, appetizers, whatever!
To start, wash and cut around six figs into fourths. Then in a small pot or saucepan, cook the figs, coconut oil, balsamic vinegar, water, and salt on medium high heat for a few minutes. The figs should start to slowly break down and get nice and mushy.
Next, pour the mixture into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, you can add more water. Reserve half the mixture and dump the other half in a sealable bag with 6-8 raw chicken breast tenders.
Let the chicken marinate for at least a half hour (the longer the better). When you are ready to cook, turn the grill on medium/high heat and poke a wood or metal stick in to the chicken. Lay the chicken skewers on the grill and coat with the reserved balsamic fig mixture. Let the chicken cook around 6 minutes (depending on the thickness) and then flip, coat the other side with the glaze and cook another 6 minutes or so.
Be sure to get those nice char marks. Because nothing says, “I’m an experienced griller” more than char marks.
Time Saver Tip
Make a batch of the fig balsamic glaze a few days before you plan on serving and keep refrigerated in a glass mason jar. If you have any of the mixture leftover, it makes a great addition to oatmeal. Or add a little olive oil for a great salad dressing.
- 6-8 chicken breast tenders
- 6 ripe figs
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- ¼ cup water
- pinch of salt
- Wash figs and cut in to fourths.
- In a a small pot or saucepan, cook the figs, coconut oil, balsamic vinegar, water and salt on medium/ high heat for a few minutes. The figs should slowly start to break down.
- Pour the mixture in to a food processor or blender and combine until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, you can add more water.
- Reserve half the mixture and dump the other half in a sealable bag with raw chicken breast tenders. Marinate the chicken at least 30 minutes before grilling.
- Turn the grill on medium/high heat (around 350 degrees) and poke a wood or metal stick in to the chicken.
- Lay the chicken skewers on the grill and coat with the reserved balsamic fig mixture. Let the chicken cook around 6 minutes (depending on the thickness) and then flip, coat the other side with the glaze and cook another 6 minutes.
That looks DELICIOUS!
Thanks Angie! I certainly thought so!
Ok! I’ll admit I’ve never ever cooked figs before but gosh, you make them look SO good I’ll have to give it a try – thanks for the recipe!
Thank you! Yes, give them a try. You won’t be disappointed!
OH my gosh, these look incredible!!!
Thanks Kristen. In my humble opinion, anything with figs is pretty much perfection!
Love following you!!! Love the humor in your posts and not to mention the fabulous recipes!! Going to grocery store today to pick up figs – dinner planned for tonight!! yay!!
Awe thank you Shar! Hope you enjoy the skewers!
figs and balsamic are a match made in heaven, these skewers look so good! What a perfect recipe for fig season!
I totally agree. I can’t get enough of that perfect combo this time of year!
I have to admit, I’ve never really used figs for cooking so I was pretty intrigued by this recipe…and it looks quite yummy! Will definitely need to try this out!
First time for everything Julie! I think you will love this. Figs are so easy to cook and reinvent too!
Hahaha oh my gosh I’m so glad you’re okay! These look so yummy. I love figs!
So yummy! Figs are the BEST EVER!!!
Wow this looks amazing! I’ve never cooked with figs before I’ll have to give it a try!
Hey Katie – yes try! The figs cook down so easily so the marinade is super easy to make. And who doesn’t love easy?!
This chicken looks so succulent! Definitely adding this to the menu this week!
Great! So glad you are going to try it Marsha!
Yummmmm! Looks great!
Thanks Kimberly!
Oooh yum! My boyfriend LOVES figs – he would be all over this! Gonna have to test it out for him 🙂
Yes, yes, test away! I mean, who doesn’t love figs?!
Looks delicious! I’ve never really incorporated figs into my diet but I can imagine the balsamic/fig combo is heavenly.
It is SO heavenly Patranila!
Will be adding this to my recipes to make list! Looks delicious, thanks for sharing!
So glad Stephanie! I hope you love it!
I have never cooked with fig before but these look delicious so I will have to try!!
Can’t wait for you to try them Emily!
This looks really good! too bad I can’t cook.
Hey, I didn’t think I could grill either! And I managed to make an edible dish! 😉
These look so good! I never would have thought to put these together. Pinned for future reference!
Thanks Liz. Yes, the combo is amaze-balls!
These look amazing. My husband would flip out over these!
Thank you! They are pretty easy and flip-worthy!
These look super yummy
Thanks Hayli. They are super duper yummy!
Oh, my! I love figs and so I bet this glaze is heavenly! They look amazing! Definitely pinning!
Thank you Logan! I’m assuming you bust out your happy dance when you see figs too? 😉
I love figs! I also love how you incorporated them into the glaze. YUM!
Thanks Pragati. The glaze is totally finger-licking worthy!
This looks delicious! I’m going to have to make the chicken!
Thank you Jenny. Totally make it. It’s worth it!
What a delicious chicken recipe! thanks for sharin !
No problem! I’m glad you approve!
Lover of Christmas, football season and figs? My kind of gal! This recipe looks amazing. I’m not much of a griller either, but every week we get together with family during football season and I’m I could talk someone into grilling these bad boys for me. Such a great idea!!
Want to be besties?! I’m a huge Green Bay Packer fan so if that’s your team, then that seals the deal! 😉 Hope your crew loves these chicken skewers!
Wowwwww, I’ve been looking for more fresh fig recipes!
Hope you love this one Rachel!
I have never attempted cooking with figs before, but this looks amazing!
Cooking with figs is actually way easier than you’d expect! Thanks Chelsea!
Chrissa – This recipe looks so easy and delicious! I loved reading about your experience of grilling for the first time. I’m glad you still have a face, too 🙂 Pinning for later!
Thanks so much Carly! Faces are kinda nice to keep. 😉 I appreciate the pin!
I actually just tried Trader Joe figs for the first time! I didn’t know they were now fully in season. This looks so tasty, and I love your season preferences 😉
Are you so addicted?! I wish figs were in season there year round!!
That chicken looks really good! Mmm!
Thank you Melissa! The recipe is definitely a keeper!
Yummy! Those look SO tasty! I’m going to have to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
So glad you stopped by Jennifer. Hope you enjoy!
Well, I’ve never cooked with figs but it looks like I’ve found the perfect recipe to try. This is not only beautiful, it looks absolutely delicious!
Thanks for the inspiration, Chrissa!
No problem Robyn. I hope you love this!
These chicken skewers look packed with flavor! Thank you for sharing at the Recipe Swap.
Yes tons of flavor but in a nice, subtle way (if that even makes sense)! Thanks Kathy!
These look incredible! We love fig at our house, but sadly, I’ve never cooked with fresh figs. Haven’t even noticed them to purchase. I usually make sauces with dried figs. I’ve gotta go to Trader Joe’s to see if they have figs cause I am ready to make these. And anything on a stick means the kids will eat it 🙂
I love dried figs too – I don’t discriminate! Fresh figs are seriously amazing though. I hope your local Trader Joe’s still has them. I have a feeling you (and the kiddos) will love these!
Wow! These look delicious. I cook rarely and only simple stuff, but I will try these one day! yummy!
Thank you Riadh! This recipe is so simple – I know you could totally pull it off!
What a delicious recipe and a beautiful sauce, we will just love it! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you are having a great day and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Thank you Miz Helen. Thank you for the comment and for hosting!