Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are about to become your new summer obsession. Imagin extracte tender, juicy chicken marinated in a symphony of smoky chilies, zesty lime, and aromatic cumin, then grilled to smoky perfection. Is there anything better than that? I think not! These skewers are a crowd-pleaser for a reason; they’re incredibly flavorful, fun to eat, and bursting with vibrant Mexican-inspired tastes that transport you straight to a fiesta. What truly sets these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers apart is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a hint of spice that clings to every bite. They’re simple enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough for your next backyard bash. Get ready to fire up the grill!
Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers
Get ready to fire up the grill because we’re about to create some incredibly flavorful Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers! These skewers are a fantastic way to bring vibrant, zesty flavors to your next barbecue or even a weeknight meal. The combination of tender chicken marinated in a smoky, spicy sauce and crisp, colorful vegetables grilled to perfection is simply irresistible. They’re easy to make, fun to eat, and always a crowd-pleaser. So, let’s dive in and get our hands a little messy with this delicious recipe!
Ingredients:
Instructions:
First, we need to prepare our vibrant marinade that will infuse the chicken with all those incredible Mexican flavors. In a food processor or blender, combine the 2 cloves of garlic and the deseeded jalapeño pepper. Pulse until they are finely minced. Add the 3 tablespoons of tomato paste, 2 teaspoons of cumin, 2 teaspoons of paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of oregano, a good handful of fresh coriander (stems and leaves are fine here, as they’ll be blended), the juice of half a lime, and a generous pinch of salt and black pepper. Blend until you have a relatively smooth paste. If it’s too thick, you can add a tablespoon of water or a little more lime juice to help it blend.
Next, prepare the chicken. Trim any excess fat from your boneless chicken thighs. We want nice, bite-sized pieces for our skewers. A good size is about 1.5 to 2 inches, ensuring they cook evenly on the grill. Place the chicken pieces into a large bowl or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken, ensuring every piece is thoroughly coated. Massage the marinade into the chicken with your hands to make sure it’s well distributed. Once coated, cover the bowl or seal the bag and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. For even more intense flavor, you can marinate it for up to 4 hours.
While the chicken is marinating, it’s time to prepare our colorful vegetables. Take your red, green, and yellow bell peppers and chop them into square pieces that are roughly the same size as your chicken pieces. This ensures they cook at a similar rate on the grill. Chop your white onion into similarly sized square pieces. It’s important to have uniform pieces so that everything skewers nicely and cooks evenly. If you’re using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before you plan to assemble the skewers. This prevents them from burning on the grill.
Now, let’s assemble our skewers! Once the chicken has finished marinating and the vegetables are prepped, thread the chicken pieces and the chopped vegetables onto your soaked wooden skewers or metal skewers. Alternate between chicken and the different colored peppers and onion. Aim for a good mix of colors and flavors on each skewer. Don’t pack them too tightly, as this can prevent the chicken from cooking evenly and the vegetables from charring nicely. Leave a small space between each piece.
Grilling the Skewers
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. This is crucial for getting a good sear on the chicken and tender-crisp vegetables. Once the grill is hot, lightly spray the grill grates with cooking oil spray. This will prevent the skewers from sticking. Carefully place the assembled skewers onto the hot grill.
Now, the cooking part! Grill the skewers for about 10-15 minutes, turning them every few minutes. You want the chicken to be cooked through and have a nice char on the outside, and the vegetables to be tender-crisp with some beautiful grill marks. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). Keep an eye on them, as grill temperatures can vary. If they are browning too quickly, you can move them to a slightly cooler part of the grill.
Once the skewers are cooked to perfection, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the chicken even more tender and flavorful. You can garnish these delicious Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers with some extra fresh coriander, a squeeze of fresh lime, or even a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of crum extractbled cotija cheese if you have them on hand. Serve them hot with your favorite sides like rice, black beans, or a fresh salad. Enjoy!
Conclusion:
So there you have it – a simple yet incredibly flavorful way to elevate your next barbecue with these delicious Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers! The magic lies in the vibrant marinade, blending smoky chili powder with zesty lime and savory spices, which infuses the chicken with incredible depth of flavor. These skewers are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a lively backyard gathering, or even a potluck. They grill up beautifully, offering that irresistible char and tender, juicy bite every time.
I love serving these skewers alongside a fresh corn salsa, creamy guacamole, and warm tortillas for a complete Mexican fiesta. They’re also fantastic over a bed of cilantro-lime rice or tucked into tacos. Feel free to get creative with your veggies on the skewers too – bell peppers, red onion, and cherry tomatoes are all excellent companions to the chicken.
Don’t hesitate to give these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers a try. They are sure to become a new favorite for you and your guests!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make the marinade ahead of time?
Absolutely! The marinade can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld even further, making your skewers even more delicious.
What if I don’t have a grill?
No problem! You can easily cook these skewers under your oven’s broiler or in a grill pan on the stovetop. Just keep a close eye on them to prevent burning, and turn them regularly for even cooking.
Are these skewers spicy?
The spice level can be adjusted to your preference. If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper. For a spicier kick, add a pinch more cayenne or a dash of hot sauce to the marinade.
Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers
Flavorful and vibrant chicken skewers with a zesty Mexican-inspired marinade, perfect for grilling.
Ingredients
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8 small boneless chicken thighs, any visible fat removed (approx 650g/22.5oz)
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2 cloves of garlic
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1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed
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3 tablespoons of tomato paste
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2 teaspoons of cumin
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2 teaspoons of paprika
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1/2 teaspoon of oregano
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handful of fresh coriander
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juice of half a lime
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salt and black pepper
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1 red bell pepper, chopped into square pieces
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1 green bell pepper, chopped into square pieces
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1 yellow bell pepper, chopped into square pieces
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1 white onion, chopped, chopped into square pieces
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cooking oil spray
Instructions
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Step 1
Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Finely mince the garlic and jalapeño. -
Step 2
In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, minced jalapeño, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, oregano, chopped fresh coriander, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create the marinade. -
Step 3
Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes. -
Step 4
Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, alternating with the chopped red bell pepper, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and white onion pieces. -
Step 5
Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly spray the grill grates or pan with cooking oil. -
Step 6
Grill the skewers for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender and slightly charred.
Important Information
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
Allergy Information
Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
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