Bacon Bourbon BBQ Chicken Skewers

This is a little strange - I know. But, just try it.  We couldn't get enough.
Ingredients:
About 2 pounds of boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite size pieces. If it still has some skin around it and some fat, leave it - use it. :)
2 tsp salt
1 tsp white pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
2 TBSP paprika
1 TBSP Ancho chili powder
3 TBSP dark brown sugar
6 slices of raw bacon, cut into small pieces
1 TBSP olive oil

For the sauce:
1/2 cup bourbon
16 oz Dinosaur BBQ Sensuous Slathering BBQ sauce (or other smoky sweet BBQ sauce)

Directions:
1. Put all of your spices in a food processor with the bacon pieces and olive oil, pulse until smooth paste forms.
2. Use all of the paste and rub on the chicken.  Some of it will fall off and not stick but dont worry, we will stick it back on later, don't throw it out.
3. Skewer the chicken on kebabs, making sure not to smoosh it together too much so the inside of the pieces can cook.  Lay the skewers in a single layer on a tray or 9x13 pan.
4. Whatever paste has fallen off or left in the bowl, use your fingers to really stick it on the chicken. Finish by sprinkling a little black pepper on the chicken. Let sit for at least 30 minutes until ready to grill.
5. Combine the bourbon and bbq sauce in a grill proof dish.  I have a grill basting container that I can sit on the hot grill as I am cooking.
6. Preheat your grill to medium heat - about 300 degrees.  Place the chicken across the grates. Grill for about 6 minutes per side without moving or touching in between.  After the 12 minutes, you will need about another 8 minutes to cook the chicken through.  During this time, baste with the bbq sauce and turn and move your chicken to avoid flare ups.
7. At 20 minutes, your chicken should be completely cooked and juicy.  Just before taking it off, hit it with one more brush of sauce.  Enjoy right away!.

I made this dish with skewers of zucchini and mushrooms.  I put the zucchini and mushrooms on skewers separate from the chicken to ensure they cook properly because they don't take as long as the chicken.  Skewers on the mushrooms alternating with zucchini.  Drizzle with olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper and your favorite BBQ seasoning rub.  Grill about 12-15 minutes, turning a few times.  You can also use the Bourbon bbq sauce to finish these off!

Wine pairing:
Malbec.