Mexican BBQ Skewers (Printable Recipe)

Chicken gets juicy and tangy in a bold Mexican marinade, then grills up with peppers and onions for a super colorful plate.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ For the chicken skewers

01 - 650 g boneless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
03 - 1 jalapeño pepper, deseeded and chopped
04 - 3 tablespoons tomato paste
05 - 2 teaspoons ground cumin
06 - 2 teaspoons paprika
07 - 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - Handful fresh coriander leaves, chopped
09 - Juice of half a lime
10 - Salt, to taste
11 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ For assembling skewers

12 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into 2 cm squares
13 - 1 green bell pepper, cut into 2 cm squares
14 - 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 2 cm squares
15 - 1 white onion, cut into 2 cm squares
16 - Cooking oil spray

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a small food processor, blend garlic, jalapeño, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, oregano, chopped coriander, lime juice, salt, and black pepper until a smooth paste forms. Add a few drops of water if needed to achieve a cohesive consistency.
02 - Place chicken thigh pieces in a mixing bowl. Pour the marinade over and toss thoroughly to ensure all pieces are evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for optimal flavor penetration.
03 - If using wooden skewers, soak them in warm water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling. Thread marinated chicken alternately with peppers and onion pieces onto the skewers.
04 - Spray the assembled skewers lightly and evenly with cooking oil to promote caramelization and prevent sticking.
05 - Grill over a preheated barbecue or grill pan, rotating every few minutes, for approximately 15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and attractively charred. Alternatively, bake in a preheated oven at 220°C (fan 200°C) for 25–30 minutes, turning once halfway through.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Serve alongside Mexican chopped salad or seasoned rice to showcase complementary flavors and textures.
02 - Replace jalapeño with a mild chilli or omit for a less spicy profile without compromising marinade complexity.