Description
Sizzling Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers bring summer backyard vibes straight to your dinner table. Marinated chicken chunks threaded on skewers and grilled to smoky perfection deliver serious flavor that makes your taste buds dance.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 white onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 jalapeno
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 0.5 teaspoons dried oregano
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 0.5 lime (juice)
- Handful of fresh cilantro
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Cooking oil spray
Instructions
- Dice the chicken thighs into uniform 1-inch cubes, ensuring each piece measures about 25-30 grams for consistent cooking.
- Mince 2 garlic cloves and 1 jalapeno finely, removing all seeds to control heat level.
- Combine 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons sweet paprika, and ½ teaspoon dried oregano in a mixing bowl.
- Chop fresh cilantro leaves and squeeze half a lime into the spice mixture.
- Add salt and black pepper to taste, creating a robust marinade that will coat your chicken completely.
- Pour the marinade over chicken cubes, ensuring each piece is thoroughly covered. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Cut red, green, and yellow bell peppers into 1-inch chunks, matching the chicken cube size.
- Slice white onion into similar-sized chunks for uniform skewer assembly.
- Thread marinated chicken and pepper chunks alternately onto metal or soaked wooden skewers.
- For grilling: Heat grill to 400°F (204°C). Spray skewers with cooking oil and grill 12-15 minutes, rotating every 4 minutes.
- For oven: Preheat to 425°F (218°C). Arrange skewers on parchment-lined baking sheet and roast 25-30 minutes.
- For stovetop: Heat grill pan to medium-high (375°F/190°C). Cook skewers 7-8 minutes per side until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.
Notes
- Choose chicken thighs for more flavor and juiciness compared to chicken breasts.
- Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to develop deeper taste and tenderness.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before threading to prevent burning during grilling.
- Grill over medium-high heat and turn skewers frequently to ensure even cooking and prevent charring.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg