Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers-Zesty Grilled Flavor

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are about to become your new weeknight hero and weekend party-starter. Imagin extracte this: juicy, tender chicken chunks infused with the vibrant, smoky flavors of a Mexican-inspired marinade, grilled to perfection on skewers. What’s not to love? These Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers offer that irresistible combination of sweet, savory, and a hint of spice that just screams summer fun and backyard gatherings. They’re incredibly easy to make, making them perfect for busy evenings, but they’re also impressive enough to serve to guests. The magic lies in the marinade – a zesty blend of lime, chili, cumin, and a touch of smoky paprika that truly elevates humble chicken. Get ready to impress yourself and everyone around you with these incredibly delicious Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers!

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Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

Get ready for a flavor explosion! These Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are my go-to for a quick, vibrant, and incredibly tasty meal. They’re perfect for a weeknight dinner, a casual get-together with friends, or even a fun backyard barbecue. The marinade is packed with smoky, zesty, and slightly spicy notes that perfectly complement the tender chicken and crisp vegetables. Plus, skewering everything makes for easy grilling and even easier cleanup – a win-win in my book!

We’re going to create a fantastic marinade that infuses the chicken with all those authentic Mexican barbecue vibes. Then, we’ll thread everything onto skewers for that classic barbecue presentation. Don’t worry if you’re not a grilling expert; these skewers are quite forgiving and always turn out delicious. Let’s dive into what you’ll need and how to make them.

Ingredients:

Preparing the Marinade

The heart of these skewers lies in their vibrant marinade. It’s a simple blend of fresh ingredients and pantry staples that creates a complex and delicious flavor profile. We’ll start by prepping our aromatics.

1. First, let’s get our chicken ready. Trim away any excess fat from the chicken thighs. This isn’t strictly necessary for flavor, but it helps achieve a cleaner texture and a less greasy final product. Once trimmed, cut the chicken thighs into roughly 1-inch cubes. This size is ideal for skewering and ensures they cook evenly on the grill. Place the chicken cubes into a medium-sized bowl.

2. Now, let’s make that amazing marinade. Finely mince the 2 cloves of garlic. For the jalapeño, after removing the seeds, you can also mince it finely. Remember, the seeds and the white membrane inside the jalapeño are where most of the heat resides. If you’re sensitive to spice, ensure you’ve removed them thoroughly. Add the minced garlic and jalapeño to the bowl with the chicken.

3. Next, add the remaining marinade ingredients to the bowl. Stir in the 3 tablespoons of tomato paste, which will provide a rich, umami base and a beautiful color. Follow this with the 2 teaspoons of cumin and 2 teaspoons of paprika. Cumin brings its characteristic warm, earthy flavor, while paprika adds a hint of sweetness and smoky depth. Sprinkle in the 1/2 teaspoon of oregano, which offers a subtle herbal note. Finally, add the roughly chopped fresh coriander for a bright, herbaceous lift. Squeeze in the juice of half a lime for a crucial tangy element that cuts through the richness and brightens all the flavors. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

4. It’s time to get your hands (or a spoon) in there and mix everything together! Ensure each piece of chicken is thoroughly coated with the marinade. The acidity from the lime juice and the tomato paste will start to tenderize the chicken, making it wonderfully succulent. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For the best flavor, I like to marinate it for 2-4 hours, or even overnight if I have the time. The longer it marinates, the more the flavors will penetrate the chicken.

Assembling and Grilling the Skewers

With the chicken marinating, let’s get our vegetables ready. We want to cut them into pieces that are roughly the same size as our chicken cubes so they cook at a similar rate. This also makes for a more aesthetically pleasing skewer.

5. While the chicken is marinating, prepare your vegetables. Chop the red, green, and yellow bell peppers into approximately 1-inch square pieces. Do the same for the white onion. It’s important that all your components – chicken and vegetables – are cut into roughly uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. If you’re using wooden skewers, now is the time to make sure they’ve been soaking in water for at least 30 minutes. This is a crucial step to prevent them from catching fire on the grill.

6. Once the chicken has finished marinating, it’s time to assemble the skewers. Thread the marinated chicken pieces and the chopped vegetables (bell peppers and onion) onto the soaked wooden or metal skewers, alternating between chicken and vegetables. Don’t pack them too tightly; leave a little space between the pieces to allow for even cooking and heat circulation. A typical arrangement might be onion, bell pepper, chicken, bell pepper, onion, chicken, and so on, ending with a piece of vegetable. This creates a visually appealing and balanced skewer.

Grilling to Perfection

Now for the fun part! Grilling these skewers brings out a wonderful smoky char and cooks everything beautifully.

7. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you’re using a charcoal grill, you want hot coals that have been covered with a light layer of ash. If you’re using a gas grill, set the burners to medium-high. Lightly oil your grill grates with cooking oil spray or a brush dipped in oil to prevent sticking.

8. Carefully place the assembled skewers onto the preheated grill. Cook for approximately 8-12 minutes, turning them every few minutes. You’re looking for the chicken to be cooked through and no longer pink inside, with a nice char on the outside. The vegetables should be tender-crisp and slightly charred. The exact cooking time will depend on the heat of your grill and the size of your chicken pieces. A good indication that the chicken is done is when it feels firm to the touch and the juices run clear.

9. Once your Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are perfectly grilled, remove them from the heat. Let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute within the chicken, ensuring a more moist and tender bite. Garnish with a little extra fresh coriander if you like, and serve them hot. They are fantastic on their own, or you can serve them with rice, a fresh salad, or some warm tortillas. Enjoy this taste of Mexico right in your own backyard!

Conclusion:

And there you have it – your guide to crafting absolutely delicious Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers! This recipe is a winner because it strikes a perfect balance between smoky char, vibrant Mexican flavors, and tender, juicy chicken. The marinade is a flavor explosion, infusing every bite with a delightful kick that’s perfect for any gathering. Whether you’re grilling for a backyard party, a casual weeknight dinner, or a potluck, these skewers are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

We love serving these alongside a fresh corn salad, some fluffy cilantro-lime rice, or even just a simple green salad for a lighter option. For a true fiesta, consider offering a selection of toppings like diced avocado, crum extractbled cotija cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and extra lime wedges.

Don’t be afraid to experiment! If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding chunks of bell peppers and red onion directly onto the skewers with the chicken. For a spicier kick, add a finely chopped jalapeño to the marinade. This recipe is incredibly versatile and a fantastic base for your own culinary creations.

So, I highly encourage you to give these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers a try. They’re relatively simple to prepare, incredibly rewarding, and will undoubtedly become a favorite in your recipe rotation. Get ready for some seriously satisfying barbecue!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can marinate the chicken for up to 4 hours in advance, which will actually deepen the flavors. Assemble the skewers, cover them, and refrigerate them until you’re ready to grill.

What if I don’t have a grill?

No problem! You can achieve similar delicious results by broiling the skewers in your oven or even cooking them in a hot cast-iron skillet on the stovetop. Just keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.

Can I use different cuts of chicken?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully and tend to stay more moist. If using chicken breast, be mindful of cooking time to avoid drying them out. Cut the chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking.

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

Flavorful and easy Mexican-inspired chicken skewers marinated in a smoky, zesty sauce, perfect for grilling.

Prep Time
30 Minutes

Cook Time
12 Minutes

Total Time
42 Minutes

Servings
4 servings

Ingredients

• 8 small boneless chicken thighs, any visible fat removed (approx 650g/22.5oz)
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed
• 3 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons of cumin
• 2 teaspoons of paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon of oregano
• handful of fresh coriander
• juice of half a lime
• salt and black pepper
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped into square pieces
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped into square pieces
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped into square pieces
• 1 white onion, chopped, chopped into square pieces
• cooking oil spray

Instructions

1. Step 1
   Prepare the marinade: Finely mince the garlic and jalapeño. In a bowl, combine minced garlic, jalapeño, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, oregano, chopped coriander, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
2. Step 2
   Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to the marinade. Toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
3. Step 3
   Thread marinated chicken pieces and chopped bell peppers and onion onto skewers, alternating ingredients.
4. Step 4
   Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Lightly spray the grill grates with cooking oil spray.
5. Step 5
   Grill skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender-crisp.
6. Step 6
   Serve hot.

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.