Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers- Smoky & Flavorful

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are more than just a meal; they’re an invitation to a fiesta on a stick! Imagin extracte tender, juicy chicken marinated in a vibrant blend of smoky chipotle, zesty lime, and fragrant cilantro, then kissed by the grill’s flame until perfectly charred. This dish is a crowd-pleaser for so many reasons. It’s incredibly easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and offers that delightful char and smoky essence that screams summer cookouts. What truly makes these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers special is the perfect balance of heat and tang, a flavor profile that awakens the palate and leaves you craving more. They’re ideal for casual get-togethers, backyard barbecues, or even a quick weeknight dinner that feels like a special occasion.

Get ready to ignite your taste buds with these unforgettable Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers!

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

Get ready to fire up the grill and transport your taste buds south of the border with these vibrant and flavorful Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers! These skewers are packed with smoky, zesty, and slightly spicy notes, making them the perfect centerpiece for your next backyard cookout or a fun weeknight meal. The combination of tender chicken, colorful vegetables, and a punchy marinade creates a dish that’s both incredibly delicious and visually appealing. We’ll be marinating chunks of juicy chicken thighs and threading them onto skewers with sweet bell peppers and crisp onion, then grilling them to perfection. The marinade itself is a simple yet powerful blend of classic Mexican-inspired flavors that will cling beautifully to the chicken, creating a caramelized crust as it cooks.

Ingredients:

Preparation and Marination

The key to incredibly flavorful chicken skewers is a robust marinade. We’re going to start by creating a quick and easy paste that will infuse our chicken with all the wonderful Mexican barbecue flavors. First, we need to prepare our aromatics. Mince the 2 cloves of garlic as finely as possible. For the jalapeño, after removing the seeds and membranes to control the heat, finely mince it as well. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can use less jalapeño or even omit it entirely.

In a medium bowl, combine the minced garlic and jalapeño with the tomato paste. This tomato paste forms the base of our marinade, providing a rich, savory foundation. Next, add the dry spices: 2 teaspoons of cumin, 2 teaspoons of paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of oregano. These spices are essential to that signature smoky and earthy Mexican flavor profile. Stir in the roughly chopped fresh coriander – this will add a burst of freshness that cuts through the richness of the marinade. Finally, squeeze in the juice of half a lime. The acidity from the lime juice helps to tenderize the chicken and adds a crucial bright, zesty element. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix everything together thoroughly until you have a smooth, well-combined marinade.

Now it’s time to prepare the chicken. Trim any remaining visible fat from the 8 boneless chicken thighs. We want nice, uniform pieces for even cooking, so cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized chunks, roughly 1 to 1.5 inches in size. Place these chicken pieces into the bowl with the marinade. Using your hands or a spoon, ensure every piece of chicken is thoroughly coated in the marinade. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally for 2-4 hours to allow the flavors to really penetrate the chicken. The longer it marinates, the deeper the flavor will be.

While the chicken is marinating, let’s prepare the vegetables. Chop the red, green, and yellow bell peppers into roughly 1-inch square pieces, similar in size to the chicken chunks. This ensures they cook at a similar rate on the skewers. Peel and chop the white onion into similar-sized pieces as well. These vegetables will add sweetness, color, and a delightful texture contrast to the tender chicken.

Assembling and Grilling the Skewers

Once your chicken has finished marinating and your vegetables are prepped, it’s time to assemble the skewers. If you are using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before using them. This prevents them from burning on the grill.

Begin extract threading the marinated chicken pieces and the prepared vegetable chunks onto the skewers, alternating between chicken, bell peppers, and onion. Try to pack them relatively snugly but not so tightly that they can’t cook evenly. You can be creative with your pattern! Ensure each skewer has a good balance of chicken and veggies for a visually appealing and delicious result.

Grilling for Smoky Perfection

Now, let’s get grilling! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. It’s important to have a hot grill so the skewers get a nice sear and develop those delicious smoky char marks. If you’re using a charcoal grill, wait until the coals are covered in gray ash.

Lightly spray the grill grates with cooking oil spray to prevent sticking. Carefully place the assembled skewers onto the hot grill. We’re looking to cook these for approximately 10-12 minutes, turning them every 2-3 minutes. This frequent turning is crucial for ensuring the chicken cooks through evenly and that all sides of the chicken and vegetables get a beautiful char.

Keep a close eye on them. You’ll know the chicken is cooked when it’s no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear. The vegetables should be tender-crisp and slightly charred. The marinade will caramelize beautifully, creating a delicious crust on the chicken. If you find any areas are charring too quickly before the chicken is cooked through, you can move those skewers to a slightly cooler part of the grill.

Serving Your Delicious Skewers

Once your Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are cooked to perfection, carefully remove them from the grill. Let them rest for just a minute or two before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute within the chicken, making it even more tender and moist.

These skewers are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. They are fantastic on their own, perhaps with a side of Mexican rice and black beans. You can also serve them with a dollop of sour cream or crema, a sprinkle of extra fresh coriander, or even a side of your favorite salsa. They also make a wonderful addition to a taco night or a burrito bowl. Enjoy the explosion of flavors!

Conclusion:

There you have it – our foolproof guide to making absolutely delicious Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers! These skewers are a fantastic weeknight meal or a show-stopping appetizer for your next gathering. The vibrant marinade infuses the chicken with smoky, zesty, and slightly spicy flavors that are simply irresistible. They’re quick to prepare, incredibly versatile, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

We love serving these alongside a fresh corn salad, some cilantro-lime rice, or even just warm tortillas for making quick tacos. For a bit of a twist, consider swapping out the chicken for firm tofu or even shrimp. You can also amp up the heat by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade or a diced jalapeño. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers your own! We truly encourage you to give this recipe a try – you won’t be disappointed!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What kind of wood chips should I use for grilling?

For that authentic smoky flavor, we recommend using mesquite or hickory wood chips. Soak them in water for about 30 minutes before adding them to your charcoal grill or smoker box for gas grills. This will create more smoke and impart a wonderful depth of flavor to your Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers.

Can I make these skewers ahead of time?

Yes, you absolutely can! You can marinate the chicken for up to 4 hours in advance. Thread the chicken onto the skewers and refrigerate them until you’re ready to grill. This makes party prep a breeze and ensures the flavors have plenty of time to meld beautifully.

What’s the best way to prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill?

First, make sure your grill grates are clean and well-oiled before you start. You can do this by dipping a folded paper towel in a high-heat oil (like vegetable or canola) and, using tongs, wiping it over the hot grates. Also, ensure your skewers are soaked if they are wooden; this prevents them from burning and reduces sticking.

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

Zesty and flavorful chicken skewers marinated in a smoky chipotle-lime sauce, grilled to perfection with colorful bell peppers and onions. Perfect for a backyard barbecue.

Prep Time
20 Minutes

Cook Time
10 Minutes

Total Time
40 Minutes

Servings
4 servings

Ingredients

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

Instructions

1. Step 1
   Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and place them in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, chopped jalapeño, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, oregano, chopped coriander, lime juice, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.
2. Step 2
   Pour the marinade over the chicken pieces, ensuring they are well coated. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
3. Step 3
   While the chicken marinates, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, alternating with the chopped red bell pepper, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and white onion pieces.
4. Step 4
   Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly spray the grill grates with cooking oil spray to prevent sticking.
5. Step 5
   Place the skewers on the preheated grill. Cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred, and the vegetables are tender-crisp.
6. Step 6
   Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with extra fresh coriander if desired.

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.