Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers – Easy & Flavorful

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are your ticket to a flavor fiesta! Forget boring weeknight dinners; we’re talking about juicy, tender chicken marinated in vibrant spices and grilled to smoky perfection. What’s not to love about these? They’re incredibly easy to make, making them a weeknight savior or the star of your next backyard bash. The magic truly lies in the marinade – a tantalizing blend of chilies, lime, and earthy cumin that infuses every bite with that unmistakable Mexican zest. These aren’t just any chicken skewers; they’re a celebration of fresh ingredients and bold, unforgettable tastes that will have everyone asking for seconds. Get ready to fire up the grill and experience the deliciousness of Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers!

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

Get ready to spice up your barbecue with these vibrant and flavorful Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers! These skewers are packed with smoky, zesty, and slightly spicy notes that are perfect for a summer cookout or a fun weeknight meal. The combination of tender chicken, sweet bell peppers, and a punchy marinade makes them an instant crowd-pleaser. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to put together, making them an ideal choice when you’re short on time but big on flavor. We’ll be marinating succulent chicken thighs and threading them onto skewers with colorful vegetables, creating a beautiful and delicious presentation. Let’s dive in!

Ingredients:

Marinating the Chicken

The key to incredibly flavorful chicken lies in a well-crafted marinade. For these Mexican barbecue chicken skewers, we’re creating a bright and bold marinade that will tenderize the chicken and infuse it with delicious Mexican-inspired flavors. First, let’s get our aromatics ready. Finely mince the 2 cloves of garlic. For a touch of heat, finely mince the deseeded jalapeño pepper. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can remove all the seeds and membranes, or even omit the jalapeño altogether if you’re sensitive to spice. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the minced garlic and jalapeño. Add the 3 tablespoons of tomato paste. This acts as a great base for our marinade, providing a rich tomatoey depth. Next, we’ll introduce our spices: 2 teaspoons of cumin for its earthy warmth, 2 teaspoons of paprika for a smoky sweetness, and 1/2 teaspoon of oregano for that classic herbaceous note. Don’t forget to season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. The fresh coriander adds a burst of freshness, so finely chop a good handful and add it to the bowl. Finally, squeeze in the juice of half a lime to add a welcome tangin extractess that cuts through the richness.

Now, it’s time to prep the chicken. Trim away any visible fat from the 8 small boneless chicken thighs. Cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces, roughly 1-1.5 inches in size, will ensure they cook evenly and are easy to thread onto skewers. Once cut, add the chicken pieces to the bowl with the marinade ingredients. Using your hands or a spoon, make sure each piece of chicken is thoroughly coated in the marinade. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the chicken and marinade to a resealable plastic bag. For the best flavor development, let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or ideally for 2-4 hours. This allows the flavors to penetrate the chicken, resulting in a more delicious and tender final product. You can even marinate it overnight for an even more intense flavor.

Preparing the Vegetables and Skewers

While the chicken is marinating, let’s prepare our colorful vegetables that will add both visual appeal and a delightful char to our skewers. You’ll need 1 red bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper, and 1 yellow bell pepper. Chop each bell pepper into roughly 1-inch square pieces, similar in size to your chicken pieces. This ensures they will cook at roughly the same rate as the chicken. Next, take 1 white onion and chop it into similar-sized square pieces. The onion will caramelize beautifully on the grill, adding a lovely sweetness.

Once the chicken has finished marinating and your vegetables are prepped, it’s time to assemble the skewers. If you are using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before assembling. This prevents them from burning on the grill. Thread the marinated chicken pieces and the chopped bell peppers and onion onto the skewers, alternating between the chicken and vegetables. Don’t pack the ingredients too tightly, as this can prevent them from cooking evenly and lead to steaming rather than grilling. Leave a small gap between each piece to allow for better heat circulation. Aim for about 3-4 pieces of chicken per skewer, interspersed with the vegetables.

Grilling the Skewers

Now for the exciting part – grilling! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. This is crucial for getting a good sear on the chicken and a nice char on the vegetables without overcooking the chicken. Lightly oil your grill grates to prevent sticking. You can use a grill brush dipped in oil or a cooking oil spray for this.

Carefully place the assembled skewers onto the hot grill. Cook for approximately 8-12 minutes, turning the skewers every few minutes. You want to achieve a beautiful char on all sides of the chicken and vegetables, and ensure the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). As you turn the skewers, you might notice some flare-ups from the marinade drippings – this is perfectly normal and adds to the smoky flavor. If you’re concerned about burning, you can move the skewers to a slightly cooler part of the grill. You can also baste the skewers with any leftover marinade during the last few minutes of cooking, but be sure to only do this if the marinade has been brought to a rolling boil for at least a minute to kill any potential bacteria from the raw chicken.

Serving Your Delicious Skewers

Once your Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are beautifully grilled and cooked through, remove them from the grill. Let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and moist chicken. These skewers are incredibly versatile and can be served with a variety of sides. Consider serving them with fluffy rice, a fresh green salad, grilled corn on the cob, or a dollop of cool sour cream or guacamole. A sprinkle of extra fresh coriander just before serving adds a final touch of freshness and vibrant color. Enjoy the smoky, spicy, and zesty flavors of your homemade Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers!

Conclusion:

There you have it – our delicious recipe for Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers! I truly believe these skewers are a winner because they perfectly balance smoky barbecue flavors with the vibrant, zesty notes of Mexican cuisine. The marinade tenderizes the chicken beautifully, and grilling them on skewers makes for a fun and easy way to enjoy a fantastic meal, whether you’re hosting a backyard bash or just looking for a flavorful weeknight dinner. They’re incredibly versatile and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

To elevate your experience, I highly recommend serving these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers with a fresh corn salsa, creamy avocado crema, or a simple side of cilantro-lime rice. For variations, consider adding chunks of bell peppers and red onion to the skewers alongside the chicken for extra color and crunch, or even marinating some shrimp alongside the chicken for a surf-and-turf twist.

I sincerely hope you give this recipe a try. It’s a simple yet incredibly rewarding dish that’s packed with flavor and sure to become a favorite in your recipe rotation. Let me know how yours turn out!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours in advance. Just skewer them right before you’re ready to grill, or even skewer them and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few hours. This makes grilling day even easier!

What if I don’t have a grill?

No worries! You can achieve similar delicious results by baking these skewers in the oven. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and nicely browned. You can also use a grill pan on the stovetop.

What’s the best way to prevent chicken from sticking to the grill?

A few key steps will help! Ensure your grill grates are clean and well-oiled before you start. You can also soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes beforehand to prevent them from burning. If using metal skewers, they’re less prone to sticking.

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

Flavorful chicken skewers marinated in a zesty Mexican-inspired barbecue sauce, perfect for grilling.

Prep Time
15 Minutes

Cook Time
12 Minutes

Total Time
27 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
• 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, approximately 1-inch cubes. Remove any visible fat.
2. Step 2
   In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, minced jalapeño, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, oregano, chopped coriander, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create the marinade.
3. Step 3
   Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
4. Step 4
   While the chicken marinates, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, alternating with pieces of red bell pepper, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and white onion.
5. Step 5
   Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly spray the grill grates with cooking oil spray.
6. Step 6
   Place the skewers on the preheated grill. Cook for approximately 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice char.
7. Step 7
   Remove the 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.