Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers-Easy Grill Recipe

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, bursting with vibrant flavors and a smoky char that’s simply irresistible. There’s something inherently fun and festive about food served on skewers, and these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers elevate that experience to a whole new level. Imagin extracte tender, juicy chicken marinated in a zesty blend of lime, chili, and warm spices, then grilled to perfection. It’s that perfect balance of tangy, spicy, and sweet that makes these skewers so addictive. They’re fantastic for backyard barbecues, game nights, or even just a weeknight dinner that feels like a special occasion. What truly sets these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers apart is the explosion of authentic Mexican-inspired goodness in every single bite, transforming simple chicken into an unforgettable culinary adventure. Get ready to impress your taste buds!

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

Get ready to fire up the grill because we’re making some seriously flavorful Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers! These skewers are packed with vibrant, smoky, and slightly spicy flavors that are perfect for a summer cookout, a weeknight dinner, or even an appetizer for a party. The marinade is what really makes these shine, infusing the tender chicken thighs with a delicious kick that’s balanced by the sweetness of the bell peppers and onions. Plus, they’re super easy to assemble and cook, making them a winner for any occasion. We’re talking about juicy chicken pieces, charred vegetables, and a whole lot of deliciousness on a stick.

Ingredients:

Marinade Preparation

The heart of these skewers lies in their vibrant marinade. We’re going to build a robust flavor profile that will transform simple chicken thighs into something truly special. The process is straightforward and the results are absolutely worth it.

1. First, let’s get our marinade ingredients prepped. Mince the 2 cloves of garlic finely. If you prefer a milder jalapeño flavor, ensure you’ve removed all the seeds and membranes from the jalapeño pepper; then, mince it very finely. If you enjoy a bit more heat, you can leave a few seeds in, but be cautious. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the minced garlic and jalapeño. Add the 3 tablespoons of tomato paste, which will provide a rich, savory base and a beautiful color to our marinade. Next, measure out 2 teaspoons of cumin and 2 teaspoons of paprika. These spices are essential for that smoky, earthy, and slightly sweet Mexican flavor profile. Sprinkle in 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano; its herbal notes will complement the other spices perfectly. Roughly chop a handful of fresh coriander (cilantro) and add it to the bowl. Its bright, fresh flavor is a wonderful counterpoint to the richer spices. Squeeze in the juice of half a lime; the acidity from the lime juice will help to tenderize the chicken and brighten all the flavors. Finally, season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Give everything a good stir to create a cohesive paste.

2. Now, it’s time to get the chicken ready for its flavor bath. Cut the boneless chicken thighs into roughly 1-inch cubes. Try to keep the pieces as uniform in size as possible so they cook evenly on the skewers. Place the chicken cubes into the bowl with the marinade. Use your hands or a spoon to ensure every piece of chicken is thoroughly coated in the flavorful mixture. Once coated, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the chicken and marinade to a resealable bag. For the best flavor, let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or ideally for 2 to 4 hours. The longer it marinates, the more the flavors will penetrate the chicken, resulting in an even more delicious end product.

Skewer Assembly and Cooking

With our chicken beautifully marinated and our vegetables prepped, we’re ready to assemble and cook these delicious skewers.

3. While the chicken is marinating, prepare your vegetables for skewering. You’ll need 1 red bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper, and 1 yellow bell pepper, all chopped into roughly 1-inch square pieces, similar in size to your chicken cubes. This ensures they’ll cook at a similar rate. Also, chop 1 white onion into similar 1-inch pieces. These vegetables will add color, sweetness, and a lovely charred flavor when grilled. If you’re using wooden skewers, it’s a good idea 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.

4. Now, let’s thread our skewers! Take your marinated chicken cubes and your chopped vegetables. Alternate threading pieces of chicken, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and white onion onto each skewer. Don’t pack the ingredients too tightly; leave a small amount of space between each piece. This allows for better air circulation and more even cooking, and also helps the chicken to get a nice char. Aim for a good balance of chicken and vegetables on each skewer.

5. It’s time to grill! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Once the grill is hot, lightly spray the grill grates with cooking oil spray to prevent sticking. Carefully place the assembled skewers onto the hot grill. Cook the skewers for approximately 10-12 minutes, turning them every few minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice char, and the vegetables are tender and slightly blistered. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken pieces and the heat of your grill. You can check for doneness by cutting into one of the chicken pieces; it should be opaque and no longer pink in the center. The vegetables should be tender but still have a slight bite.

6. Once your Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are cooked to perfection, remove them from the grill. For an extra burst of freshness, you can squeeze a little more fresh lime juice over them just before serving. Garnish with some extra chopped fresh coriander if you like. These skewers are fantastic served on their own, or alongside rice, a fresh salad, or some warm tortillas. Enjoy the vibrant, smoky, and delicious flavors of Mexico!

Conclusion:

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning how to make these vibrant and flavorful Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers! They truly are a showstopper, perfect for any gathering, from a casual backyard cookout to a festive fiesta. The combination of smoky char from the grill, the zesty lime, the warmth of chili powder, and the savory essence of cumin creates an unforgettable taste experience that will have your guests raving. These skewers are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with a variety of accompaniments.

For serving, I highly recommend fresh corn on the cob, a refreshing Mexican street corn salad (elote), fluffy cilantro-lime rice, or a simple green salad. You can also serve them alongside warm tortillas for making delicious tacos. Looking for variations? Feel free to add chunks of bell peppers (red, yellow, and green!), red onion, or even pineapple to the skewers for extra color and sweetness. For a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a finely diced jalapeño to the marinade.

Don’t be intimidated by the grilling process; it’s simpler than you might think! I truly encourage you to give these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers a try. They’re a fantastic way to bring a taste of Mexico to your table and are guaranteed to be a hit.

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. If you plan to grill them within 24 hours, you can assemble the skewers and store them covered in the fridge. Just remember to bring them to room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before grilling for more even cooking.

What if I don’t have a grill? Can I bake or pan-fry them?

Yes, you can! For baking, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the assembled skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through. For pan-frying, heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the skewers in batches for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

Juicy chicken thighs marinated in a zesty and smoky Mexican-inspired barbecue sauce, then grilled to perfection with colorful bell peppers and onions.

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
• black pepper
• 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. Mince garlic and jalapeño. Chop coriander.
2. Step 2
   In a bowl, combine chicken, minced garlic, minced jalapeño, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, oregano, chopped coriander, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat chicken.
3. Step 3
   Thread chicken pieces onto skewers, alternating with pieces of red bell pepper, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and white onion.
4. Step 4
   Preheat grill 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.