Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers-Juicy & Flavorful

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are about to become your new summer obsession! Imagin extracte tender, juicy chicken pieces infused with vibrant Mexican spices, grilled to smoky perfection, and dripping with an irresistible, slightly sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. What’s not to love? These skewers are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, whether you’re hosting a backyard bash, enjoying a casual weeknight dinner, or packing them for a picnic. They’re incredibly versatile, easily adaptable to your preferred level of heat, and unbelievably simple to prepare. The secret to these amazing Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers lies in the marinade – a harmonious blend of smoky chipotle, zesty lime, and a touch of sweetness that caramelizes beautifully on the grill. Get ready to fire up the grill and experience the explosion of flavor that makes these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers so utterly delightful.

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

Get ready to spice up your grilling game with these vibrant and flavorful Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers! These skewers are bursting with authentic Mexican flavors, making them the perfect choice for your next barbecue, weeknight dinner, or any occasion where delicious, easy-to-eat food is a must. The combination of tender chicken, sweet bell peppers, and a zesty, smoky marinade creates a truly irresistible dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

We’re going to start by creating a fantastic marinade that will infuse the chicken with all those wonderful Mexican notes. Then, we’ll thread everything onto skewers with colorful vegetables for a visually appealing and perfectly cooked treat. Don’t worry if you’re new to grilling; these skewers are incredibly forgiving and always turn out a winner. Let’s get started!

Ingredients:

Cooking Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

Our journey to deliciousness begin extracts with crafting the vibrant marinade. You’ll want to start by mincing your garlic cloves. For the jalapeño, since we’re removing the seeds, it will add a nice warmth without being overwhelmingly spicy. Finely mince the jalapeño as well. In a food processor or blender, combine the minced garlic, minced jalapeño, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, oregano, and the fresh coriander. Give it a good pulse until everything is well combined and forms a coarse paste. Next, squeeze in the juice of half a lime. This acidity will help tenderize the chicken and add a bright, refreshing counterpoint to the smoky spices. Finally, season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. I usually start with about 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and you can always adjust later. Blend again until you have a relatively smooth, thick marinade. The aroma at this stage is already promising!

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Now, it’s time to let the magic happen. Cut your boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, roughly 1-inch cubes. It’s important that the pieces are relatively uniform in size so they cook evenly on the skewers. Place the chicken pieces in a medium-sized bowl. Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken. Using your hands or a spoon, ensure every piece of chicken is thoroughly coated in the marinade. This is crucial for maximum flavor penetration. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For an even more intense flavor, you can marinate it for up to 4 hours. Avoid marinating for too long, especially with the lime juice, as it can start to “cook” the chicken and affect its texture.

Step 3: Prepare the Vegetables and Skewers

While the chicken is marinating, let’s get our vegetables ready. You’ll need to chop your red, green, and yellow bell peppers into roughly 1-inch square pieces, similar in size to your chicken. Chop your white onion into similar-sized pieces as well. This ensures they will cook at a similar rate to the chicken. If you’re using wooden skewers, make sure 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. If you’re using metal skewers, no soaking is necessary. Once everything is prepped and your skewers are ready, you can begin extract assembling. Thread the marinated chicken pieces and the chopped vegetables onto the skewers, alternating between chicken and the different colored peppers and onion. Don’t pack the ingredients too tightly on the skewers; leave a little bit of space between them to allow for even cooking and better circulation of heat. This also makes it easier to turn them on the grill.

Step 4: Grilling the Skewers

Now for the fun part – grilling! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. It’s important to have a nice, hot grill so you get a good sear on the chicken and 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 chicken skewers onto the hot grill. You’ll want to cook them for about 10-15 minutes, turning them every few minutes to ensure all sides are evenly cooked and nicely charred. Keep an eye on them, as cooking times can vary depending on your grill. The chicken should be cooked through, with no pink inside, and the vegetables should be tender-crisp with a slight char. You can test for doneness by cutting into one of the chicken pieces; it should be white and opaque all the way through.

Step 5: Resting and Serving

Once your skewers are perfectly grilled, remove them from the grill and place them on a clean plate or platter. It’s a good idea to let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices in the chicken to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful bites. While they’re resting, you can garnish them with a little extra chopped fresh coriander if you like, or a squeeze of fresh lime. These Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are incredibly versatile. They’re fantastic served on their own, or you can enjoy them with a side of Mexican rice, black beans, or a fresh salsa and guacamole. They also make a great filling for tacos or burritos. Enjoy the explosion of flavors!

Conclusion:

There you have it! These Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are a surefire hit for any gathering or a fun weeknight meal. Their vibrant flavors, thanks to the smoky paprika, zesty lime, and a hint of chili, make them incredibly satisfying. The grilling process infuses them with that irresistible barbecue char, creating a dish that’s both easy to prepare and impressive to serve.

I love serving these skewers alongside a fresh corn salsa, some creamy avocado slices, and fluffy cilantro-lime rice for a complete and delightful Mexican-inspired feast. For even more fun, try marinating tofu or halloumi cheese in the same zesty marinade for a delicious vegetarian option, or swap chicken thighs for firm white fish like cod for a lighter, seafood-centric twist. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your favorite vegetables – bell peppers, onions, and zucchini all grill up beautifully. So go ahead, fire up the grill, and give these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers a try. I’m confident you’ll love them as much as I do!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these skewers ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours in advance. This actually enhances the flavors. Just thread them onto the skewers when you’re ready to grill.

What if I don’t have a grill? Can I bake them?

Yes, you can! Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the skewered chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through. You can also broil them for the last few minutes to get a nice char.

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

Flavorful and easy Mexican-inspired barbecue chicken skewers featuring a vibrant marinade and colorful bell peppers.

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, minced
• 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 boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
2. Step 2
   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.
3. Step 3
   Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes, or longer for more flavor.
4. Step 4
   Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, alternating with pieces of red, green, and yellow bell peppers, and white onion.
5. Step 5
   Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly spray the skewers with cooking oil spray.
6. Step 6
   Grill the skewers for about 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.