Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers-Flavorful Grill

ByMaribel

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are about to become your new warm-weather obsession. Imagin extracte this: juicy, tender chicken cubes marinated in a symphony of vibrant Mexican spices, threaded onto skewers with colorful bell peppers and sweet red onion, then kissed by the smoky embrace of your grill. It’s no wonder these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are a crowd-pleaser. They’re incredibly easy to prepare, bursting with flavor, and the perfect handheld meal for any gathering. What truly sets these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers apart is the irresistible blend of smoky char and zesty, slightly spicy marinade that infuses every bite. This isn’t just any grilled chicken; it’s a fiesta on a stick, guaranteed to transport your taste buds straight to a sun-drenched patio.

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

There’s something incredibly satisfying about grilling, and these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are a perfect way to bring vibrant, smoky, and slightly spicy flavors to your next outdoor feast. They’re easy to prepare, bursting with fresh ingredients, and the combination of tender chicken, sweet peppers, and a zesty marinade is simply irresistible. These skewers are fantastic served as an appetizer, a light lunch, or as part of a larger barbecue spread with some grilled corn or a fresh salad. The key to their deliciousness lies in the homemade marinade, which infuses the chicken with authentic Mexican-inspired tastes. Let’s get started!

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

    • Marinating the Chicken

    The first step to achieving flavorful chicken skewers is to prepare a delicious marinade. This is where all the zesty, smoky, and slightly spicy notes come from.

  • Prepare the Marinade Base: We’ll start by creating a flavorful paste. In a food processor or blender, add the peeled garlic cloves and the seeded jalapeño pepper. Pulse these until they are finely minced into a paste. If you don’t have a food processor, you can finely mince the garlic and jalapeño with a knife, but be sure to wear gloves when handling the jalapeño to avoid any irritation.
  • Combine Marinade Ingredients: To the minced garlic and jalapeño, add the tomato paste, cumin, paprika, oregano, and the fresh coriander. If you’re not a big fan of cilantro, you can omit it or substitute it with a bit of parsley, though the coriander really adds that authentic Mexican flair. Add the juice of half a lime, which will provide a nice brightness to the marinade. Finally, season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Taste the marinade at this stage if you’re brave enough (it will be potent!), and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
  • Marinate the Chicken: Cut the boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, roughly 1 to 1.5 inches square. It’s important to ensure the chicken pieces are of a uniform size so they cook evenly on the skewers. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and pour the prepared marinade over them. Toss everything thoroughly to ensure each piece of chicken is well coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally for 2-4 hours. For an even deeper flavor, you can marinate them overnight. The longer the chicken marinates, the more the flavors will penetrate.

    • Assembling the Skewers

    While the chicken is marinating, it’s the perfect time to prepare your vegetables for threading onto the skewers. This ensures everything is ready to go once the chicken is done marinating and the grill is hot.

  • Prepare the Vegetables: Take your red, green, and yellow bell peppers, and the white onion. Chop them into roughly the same size square pieces as your chicken. This uniformity will not only make your skewers look appealing but also ensure that the vegetables cook at a similar rate to the chicken. If you’re using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes beforehand. This prevents them from burning on the grill. Metal skewers are also a great option and don’t require soaking.
  • Thread the Skewers: Once the chicken has finished marinating, it’s time to assemble the skewers. Take a soaked wooden skewer or a metal skewer. Begin extract by threading on a piece of marinated chicken. Then, alternate with a piece of bell pepper (you can use any color combination you like!) and a piece of onion. Continue this pattern until the skewer is full, leaving a little space at each end to make handling easier. Don’t pack the ingredients too tightly, as this can prevent them from cooking evenly. Aim for a visually appealing arrangement of colors and textures. You should be able to make approximately 4-6 skewers depending on the size of your chicken and vegetables.

    • Grilling the Skewers

    Now comes the exciting part – grilling! This will give the chicken and vegetables that wonderful smoky char and delicious barbecue flavor.

  • Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you’re using a charcoal grill, ensure the coals are glowing red with a light dusting of ash. For a gas grill, turn the burners to medium-high and let it heat up for about 10-15 minutes. Once the grill is hot, lightly oil the grates using cooking oil spray or a folded paper towel dipped in oil, being very careful. This step is crucial to prevent the chicken and vegetables from sticking.
  • Grill the Skewers: Carefully place the assembled skewers onto the hot grill grates. Grill for approximately 10-15 minutes, turning them every few minutes. You want to ensure that all sides of the chicken are cooked through and have developed a beautiful char. The vegetables should be tender-crisp with some nice grill marks. The exact cooking time will depend on the heat of your grill and the size of your chicken pieces. You can check for doneness by cutting into the largest piece of chicken to ensure it’s no longer pink in the center. Be careful not to overcook the chicken, as it can become dry.
  • Rest and Serve: Once the skewers are perfectly cooked, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices in the chicken to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful meat. You can garnish these vibrant skewers with a little extra fresh coriander and a wedge of lime for squeezing over the top. These Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are best served immediately and are wonderfully complemented by a side of rice, a fresh salsa, or even some guacamole. Enjoy the fantastic flavors!

    • Conclusion:

    There you have it – a recipe for incredibly flavorful Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers that’s sure to become a summer favorite! The vibrant marinade, packed with smoky chipotle, zesty lime, and a hint of cumin, transforms simple chicken into something truly special. These skewers are wonderfully versatile, making them perfect for backyard barbecues, weeknight dinners, or even as a crowd-pleasing appetizer. The grill imparts that irresistible char, while the tender chicken soaks up all those delicious Mexican-inspired flavors.

    For serving, I love pairing these skewers with a fresh corn salad, black beans, and fluffy cilantro-lime rice. They also make a fantastic addition to tacos or fajitas! Don’t be afraid to get creative with your vegetable additions to the skewers – bell peppers, onions, and zucchini all grill beautifully alongside the chicken. I truly encourage you to give these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers a try; I’m confident you’ll love them!

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    Can I marinate the chicken longer than recommended?

    Yes, you can! Marinating for up to 12 hours will deepen the flavors even further. Just ensure the chicken is kept refrigerated during the entire marination period.

    What if I don’t have a grill?

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

    Can I make these vegetarian?

    Absolutely! Replace the chicken with firm tofu, halloumi cheese, or hearty vegetables like portobello mushrooms and cauliflower florets. Adjust the marination time accordingly, as vegetables may not need as long as chicken.

    Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

    Tender, juicy chicken thighs marinated in a vibrant Mexican-inspired barbecue sauce and grilled to perfection with colorful bell peppers and onions.

    Prep Time
    20 Minutes

    Cook Time
    15 Minutes

    Total Time
    35 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 minced
    • 3 tablespoons of tomato paste
    • 2 teaspoons of cumin
    • 2 teaspoons of paprika
    • 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
    • 1/4 cup fresh coriander, chopped
    • juice of half a lime
    • salt to taste
    • 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
      In a bowl, combine minced garlic, minced jalapeño, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, oregano, chopped coriander, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create the marinade.
    2. Step 2
      Cut the boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and add them to the marinade. Toss to ensure each piece is coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
    3. Step 3
      While the chicken marinates, thread the marinated chicken pieces and the chopped red bell pepper, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and white onion onto skewers, alternating ingredients.
    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 and cook for approximately 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly charred, and the vegetables are tender-crisp.
    6. Step 6
      Remove skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

    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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