Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers- Easy Grill Recipe

Mexican barbecue chicken skewers are more than just a meal; they’re a vibrant celebration on a stick! Imagin extracte tender, succulent chicken pieces marinated in a zesty blend of lime, chili powder, cumin, and a hint of smoked paprika, then grilled to perfection until they’re smoky and slightly caramelized. This is the kind of dish that instantly transports you to a sunny patio, the air filled with the tantalizing aroma of grilling goodness. It’s no wonder these Mexican barbecue chicken skewers are a perennial favorite – they offer a delightful explosion of flavors that are both familiar and exciting. What truly sets these apart is the balance of smoky char from the grill, the bright citrusy notes, and the gentle warmth of the spices, creating a symphony of tastes that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Get ready to fire up your grill and bring this fiesta to your table!

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

These Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are a fiesta on a stick! Bursting with vibrant flavors and a touch of smoky char, they’re perfect for grilling season, a backyard cookout, or even a weeknight dinner that feels like a celebration. The marinade is a simple yet incredibly effective blend of smoky spices, zesty lime, and a hint of heat, coating tender chicken thighs and colorful bell peppers. The key to success here is letting the chicken really soak up all those delicious flavors before hitting the grill. I love serving these with a side of rice, some black beans, and a dollop of sour cream or guacamole.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Prepare the Marinade: First, let’s get our flavor base ready. In a food processor or blender, combine the 2 cloves of garlic and the deseeded jalapeño pepper. Give it a quick blitz until it’s roughly chopped. Then, add the 3 tablespoons of tomato paste, 2 teaspoons of cumin, 2 teaspoons of paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of oregano, a generous handful of fresh coriander (stems and leaves, no need to be too precious!), the juice of half a lime, and a good pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pulse everything together until you have a thick, fragrant paste. If it’s a little too stiff, you can add a tiny splash of water to help it blend.

Marinate the Chicken: Now it’s time to get the chicken ready for its flavor bath. If your chicken thighs are particularly large, you might want to cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes, to ensure they cook evenly and are easy to thread onto skewers. Place the chicken pieces in a medium-sized bowl. Spoon the prepared marinade over the chicken, making sure to coat every piece thoroughly. Use your hands to really get in there and distribute the marinade evenly. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, but for the best flavor, I recommend marinating it for 2-4 hours, or even overnight. The longer it marinates, the more tender and flavorful the chicken will become.

Prepare the Vegetables and Skewers: While the chicken is doing its thing, let’s get our veggies ready. Chop your 1 red bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper, 1 yellow bell pepper, and 1 white onion into roughly 1-inch square pieces. The aim here is for the vegetables to be a similar size to the chicken pieces, so they all cook at roughly the same rate on the grill. If you’re using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before you plan to use them. This is a crucial step to prevent the wooden skewers from burning up on the hot grill. If you’re using metal skewers, you don’t need to worry about this step.

Assemble the Skewers: Once the chicken has had a good marinating session, it’s time to thread everything onto the skewers. Take your marinated chicken pieces and alternate them with the prepared bell pepper and onion pieces. Try to pack them relatively snugly, but not so tightly that they can’t cook properly. Leave a little bit of space between each piece. Aim for a good mix of chicken and veggies on each skewer. This colorful combination not only looks fantastic but also adds wonderful texture and sweetness to the skewers.

Grill the Skewers: Now for the exciting part – grilling! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates with cooking oil spray or a brush of oil to prevent sticking. Place the assembled skewers directly onto the hot grill. Cook for about 8-12 minutes, turning them every few minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and has developed lovely char marks, and the vegetables are tender-crisp and slightly caramelized. The exact cooking time will depend on the heat of your grill and the size of your chicken pieces. You can test for doneness by cutting into a piece of chicken to ensure there’s no pink inside. Once they’re cooked, remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a minute or two before serving. These are best enjoyed hot off the grill!

Conclusion:

I hope you’re as excited about these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers as I am! They’re an absolute winner for so many reasons. The combination of smoky barbecue flavor infused with vibrant Mexican spices creates a taste sensation that’s both comforting and exhilarating. They’re incredibly easy to make, perfect for a weeknight dinner or impressing guests at your next backyard gathering. The portability of skewers makes them ideal for parties, picnics, or even just a fun meal enjoyed al fresco.

Serve these delicious skewers alongside some fluffy cilantro-lime rice, a fresh corn salad, or even tucked into warm tortillas for a build-your-own taco night. For a delightful twist, consider adding chunks of pineapple or bell peppers to the skewers for an extra burst of sweetness and color. You can also adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of chili powder or adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to suit your palate. I truly encourage you to give these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers a try; they’re guaranteed to become a new favorite!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these skewers ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can marinate the chicken for up to 4 hours in the refrigerator. Once skewered, you can store them covered in the fridge for a few hours before grilling. This makes them even more convenient for entertaining!

What if I don’t have a grill?

No problem at all! You can easily cook these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers in your oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through and lightly browned.

Can I use a different type of meat?

While chicken is fantastic, these flavors would also work wonderfully with beef tenderloin or even firm tofu for a vegetarian option. Just adjust the cooking time as needed for your chosen protein.

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

Spicy and flavorful Mexican-inspired chicken skewers marinated in a zesty lime and chili blend, then grilled to smoky perfection with colorful bell peppers and onion.

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
• 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 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, chopped into square pieces
• cooking oil spray

Instructions

1. Step 1
   Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and place in a bowl.
2. Step 2
   Finely mince garlic and jalapeño pepper. Add to the bowl with chicken along with tomato paste, cumin, paprika, oregano, chopped coriander, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat chicken evenly and let marinate for at least 15 minutes.
3. Step 3
   Thread chicken pieces and chopped bell peppers and onion alternately onto skewers.
4. Step 4
   Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly spray skewers with cooking oil.
5. Step 5
   Grill skewers for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender and slightly charred.
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.