Description
Mexican street corn meets juicy chicken in these Elote Chicken Skewers that bring serious flavor to your dinner table. Grilled to perfection with creamy cotija cheese and zesty spices, these skewers turn an ordinary meal into a fiesta of deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
Liquid and Additional Ingredients:
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
- Wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
- Whisk together 3 minced garlic cloves, ¼ cup lime juice, ¼ cup chopped cilantro, 2 tsp chili powder, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper in a medium bowl to create a vibrant marinade.
- Slice 4 chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized pieces. Thoroughly coat chicken in the prepared marinade, ensuring each piece is well covered. Seal and refrigerate for 30 minutes to absorb flavors.
- Submerge wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent scorching. Preheat your grill to 400°F, creating a medium-high heat zone for perfect charring.
- Carefully thread marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, spacing them evenly to allow consistent heat circulation and thorough cooking.
- Place skewers on the hot grill, rotating every 3-4 minutes. Cook for 10-15 minutes total, ensuring internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F and surfaces develop a beautiful golden-brown char.
- Transfer grilled skewers from heat. Generously sprinkle ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese over the hot chicken, letting it slightly melt and create a creamy finish.
Notes
- Always soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning during grilling.
- Let the chicken marinate for a full 30 minutes to maximize flavor absorption and tenderness.
- For a gluten-free version, double-check that your chili powder doesn’t contain any hidden wheat ingredients.
- If you don’t have a grill, these skewers work beautifully on a cast-iron grill pan or under the broiler with similar charred results.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg