Description
These Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken Skewers are a delicious combination of sweet and smoky flavors. Marinated in a blend of honey, chipotle peppers, and spices, then grilled to perfection, this dish offers juicy, tender chicken with a smoky char and a fresh cilantro finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 5 pounds chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat to ensure it’s ready for cooking the chicken skewers evenly.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into cubes about 1 to 1.5 inches in size for uniform cooking on skewers.
- Make Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, honey, chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Whisk Marinade: Whisk all marinade ingredients until well combined and the honey fully dissolves into the mixture.
- Marinate Chicken: Place chicken cubes into a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish, then pour the marinade over the chicken ensuring all pieces are well-coated.
- Refrigerate: Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and chicken tenderize.
- Prepare Skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Thread Chicken: Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking.
- Oil Grill Grates: Lightly oil the grill grates using a paper towel dipped in oil held with tongs to prevent sticking.
- Grill Chicken: Place skewers on the preheated grill and cook about 4 to 6 minutes per side, turning every few minutes to develop an even char.
- Check Doneness: Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to confirm it’s cooked through and safe to eat.
- Remove and Garnish: Remove skewers from grill once cooked, and sprinkle chopped cilantro over the chicken for a fresh, vibrant finish.
- Serve: Serve the honey chipotle grilled chicken skewers hot with your choice of side dishes for a flavorful meal.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for longer than 30 minutes (up to 4 hours) will intensify the flavors and improve tenderness.
- If using metal skewers, soaking is not necessary.
- For a smoky flavor without a grill, you can cook the skewers under a broiler, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- To keep wooden skewers from burning, you can wrap their exposed ends in foil.
- Serve with sides like grilled vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.
