Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers – Easy & Flavorful

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are your ticket to an explosion of vibrant flavors and smoky perfection, guaranteed to elevate any backyard gathering. Forget boring, bland chicken – these skewers are a fiesta in every bite! We all crave that irresistible combination of tender, succulent chicken kissed by the grill and infused with the bold, zesty notes of authentic Mexican spices. What makes these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers so incredibly special? It’s the masterful blend of smoky paprika, fiery chili, and bright lime, all working in harmony to create a marinade that transforms simple chicken into something truly unforgettable. They’re easy to make, incredibly versatile, and always a crowd-pleaser, making them the ultimate weeknight dinner or party appetizer.

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

Get ready to fire up the grill and transport your taste buds south of the border with these vibrant and flavorful Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers! These aren’t your average chicken skewers; they’re packed with smoky, zesty, and slightly spicy notes that are perfect for a backyard barbecue, a weeknight dinner, or even entertaining guests. The beauty of these skewers lies in their simplicity and the incredible depth of flavor you achieve with just a few key ingredients. We’re talking about tender chicken thighs marinated in a bold, homemade barbecue sauce, interspersed with colorful, crisp vegetables that char beautifully on the grill.

The chicken thighs are crucial here. They stay wonderfully moist and tender even when grilled, unlike chicken breasts which can easily dry out. Removing any visible fat ensures a cleaner flavor profile and less flare-up on the grill. The marinade is where the magic happens – it’s a quick blend of pantry staples that come together to create a sauce that’s both tangy and rich. The fresh elements like garlic, jalapeño, and coriander add a bright, herbaceous kick, while the spices bring warmth and complexity. And the colorful bell peppers and onion not only add visual appeal but also a delightful crunch and sweetness as they grill.

Let’s get started on creating these crowd-pleasing skewers!

Ingredients:

Marinade and Skewer Assembly

The first step is to create our irresistible barbecue marinade. This will infuse the chicken with all its delicious flavor. You’ll want to get a food processor or a blender ready for this. Start by peeling and roughly chopping the 2 cloves of garlic. Next, take your 1 jalapeño pepper. Remember to remove the seeds and membranes if you prefer a milder spice level, or leave some in if you like it with a bit more heat. Give the jalapeño a rough chop as well.

Add the chopped garlic and jalapeño to your food processor. Now, spoon in the 3 tablespoons of tomato paste. This forms the rich, savory base of our marinade. Next, measure out your spices: 2 teaspoons of cumin for that earthy warmth, 2 teaspoons of paprika for a touch of smoky sweetness and color, and 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano for a classic herbaceous note. Don’t forget to season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. A good pinch of each is usually a good starting point, and you can always adjust later.

Now for the fresh flavor! Roughly chop a handful of fresh coriander and add it to the processor. Finally, squeeze in the juice of half a lime. This citrusy zing is essential for balancing the richness of the marinade and adding a bright, fresh note.

With all the ingredients in the food processor, pulse until everything is finely chopped and well combined, forming a thick, vibrant marinade. If it seems a little too thick to coat the chicken evenly, you can add a tablespoon of water or a splash more lime juice to loosen it up.

Prepare your chicken by cutting the boneless thighs into bite-sized cubes, about 1-1.5 inches in size. Place these chicken pieces into a medium-sized bowl. Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken, making sure to coat each piece thoroughly. You can use your hands (gloved, if you prefer) or a spoon to ensure every piece is covered. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or for an even deeper flavor, up to 4 hours.

While the chicken is marinating, prepare your vegetables. You’ll need 1 red bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper, 1 yellow bell pepper, and 1 white onion. Chop all of these into roughly square pieces that are similar in size to your chicken cubes. This ensures they will cook evenly on the skewers alongside the chicken. If you are using wooden skewers, remember 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.

Grilling the Skewers

Once the chicken has marinated and your vegetables are prepped, it’s time to assemble the skewers. Thread the marinated chicken pieces and the chopped bell peppers and onion onto the soaked wooden skewers, alternating between chicken and vegetables. Try not to pack them too tightly, as this allows the heat to circulate and cook everything evenly. Leave a small space between each item on the skewer.

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you’re using a gas grill, this usually means setting the knobs to about medium-high. For a charcoal grill, you want a good bed of hot coals. Once the grill is hot, lightly coat the grill grates with cooking oil spray to prevent sticking. This is a crucial step to ensure your delicious skewers don’t end up stuck to the grill.

Carefully place the assembled skewers onto the hot grill grates. You should hear a satisfying sizzle as they hit the heat. Close the grill lid to help cook the chicken through and char the vegetables nicely. Grill the skewers for about 10-15 minutes, turning them every 3-4 minutes. You’re looking for the chicken to be cooked through (no pink inside) and slightly charred on the edges, and for the vegetables to be tender-crisp and nicely caramelized. The exact cooking time will depend on the heat of your grill and the size of your chicken and vegetable pieces, so keep an eye on them.

As the skewers cook, you might want to baste them with any leftover marinade from the bowl, but be sure to do this only in the last few minutes of cooking to avoid any potential food safety concerns with raw marinade touching the hot grill. Once they’re perfectly cooked, carefully remove the skewers from the grill using tongs.

Serving Your Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

Let the skewers rest for a minute or two on a platter before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute within the chicken, making it even more tender and flavorful. Garnish with a little extra fresh coriander if you like, and perhaps a wedge of lime for squeezing over the top. These Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers are fantastic served with rice, a fresh salad, or even some warm tortillas. Enjoy the explosion of flavors!

Conclusion:

There you have it – a fantastic recipe for Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers that’s bursting with vibrant flavors and incredibly easy to make! These skewers are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for backyard barbecues, weeknight dinners, or even a fun potluck. The combination of smoky barbecue sauce with zesty lime and chili creates a truly irresistible taste sensation. They’re wonderfully versatile, pairing beautifully with a variety of sides.

For serving, I love to pair these skewers with a fresh corn salsa, creamy avocado slices, or a simple cilantro-lime rice. You can also serve them wrapped in warm tortillas for an impromptu taco night. Don’t be afraid to get creative with variations! Try adding chunks of bell peppers and red onion to the skewers before grilling for extra color and flavor. For a spicier kick, toss in some finely chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper into your marinade. I truly encourage you to give these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers a try – I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can marinate the chicken for these Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers up to 24 hours in advance. This will actually deepen the flavors even more. You can also thread the skewers with chicken and vegetables (if using) a few hours before grilling and keep them covered in the refrigerator.

What if I don’t have a grill?

No problem at all! You can easily cook these skewers indoors. Pan-sear them in a hot skillet with a little oil, ensuring you turn them frequently to cook evenly. Alternatively, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until cooked through and slightly caramelized.

Mexican Barbecue Chicken Skewers

Tender chicken thighs marinated in smoky Mexican spices and grilled to perfection, interspersed with colorful bell peppers and onions.

Prep Time
30 Minutes

Cook Time
12 Minutes

Total Time
42 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
• 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
   Prepare the marinade: Finely mince the garlic and jalapeño. In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, jalapeño, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, oregano, chopped fresh coriander, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
2. Step 2
   Marinate the chicken: Cut the boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Add the chicken to the marinade and toss to ensure each piece is coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
3. Step 3
   Assemble the skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, alternating with pieces of red, green, and yellow bell pepper, and white onion.
4. Step 4
   Preheat and grill: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly spray the grill grates or the pan with cooking oil spray.
5. Step 5
   Cook the skewers: Place the skewers on the preheated grill and cook for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks, and the vegetables are tender-crisp.
6. Step 6
   Serve: Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with extra fresh coriander if desired.

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.