Description
Sizzling Spicy Honey Jalapeño Chicken Skewers bring fiery Mexican-inspired flavors to your dinner table. Zesty cilantro lime dip completes this irresistible grilled dish that you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (700 grams) chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Marinade and Spices:
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 12 jalapenos, finely chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt
- Pepper
- Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes if grilling)
Cilantro Lime Dip:
- 0.5 cup (120 grams) Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 0.25 cup (10 grams) fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant marinade by blending honey, olive oil, soy sauce, and lime juice into a harmonious liquid base, creating a foundation of sweet and tangy flavors.
- Incorporate smoked paprika, garlic powder, finely chopped jalapenos, and a hint of cayenne pepper to infuse the marinade with a complex, spicy profile.
- Season the marinade with salt and pepper, whisking thoroughly to ensure all spices are evenly distributed and fully integrated.
- Submerge chicken pieces into the marinade, gently massaging the liquid to ensure each morsel is completely coated with the zesty mixture.
- Cover the marinating chicken and refrigerate, allowing the flavors to penetrate and tenderize the meat for a minimum of 30 minutes, with optimal results achieved after 2-3 hours.
- When ready to cook, thread the marinated chicken onto skewers, spacing the pieces evenly to promote uniform grilling.
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, creating ideal conditions for achieving caramelized edges and succulent interior.
- Grill skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, rotating to ensure even charring and cooking chicken to a safe internal temperature.
- Remove skewers from heat and let rest briefly, allowing juices to redistribute and maintain maximum tenderness.
- Serve hot, accompanied by a refreshing cilantro lime dip that complements the skewers’ spicy-sweet flavor profile.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for maximum flavor absorption, ideally closer to 4 hours to let spices deeply penetrate the meat.
- Remove jalapeno seeds for milder heat, keeping membrane for those who love extra spiciness.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning and potential fire hazards.
- Balance the heat by adjusting cayenne pepper quantity based on personal spice tolerance, ensuring everyone can enjoy the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg