Description
These spicy honey jalapeño chicken skewers are sweet, smoky, and fiery with just the right amount of kick. Grilled to perfection and served with a cool, zesty cilantro lime dip, they’re perfect for parties, BBQs, or a bold weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Skewers
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 fresh jalapeños, finely chopped (remove seeds for less heat)
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- wooden or metal skewers
For the Cilantro Lime Dip
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp lime zest
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine honey, olive oil, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, finely chopped jalapeños, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to blend all the flavors.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat them evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor infusion.
- Make the Cilantro Lime Dip: While the chicken marinates, mix sour cream or Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, lime zest, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, and salt in a separate bowl. Adjust seasoning as needed and chill until ready to serve.
- Prepare the Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers evenly.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill the Skewers: Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side. Grill until the chicken is cooked through, with a nicely charred exterior and internal temperature reaching 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Remove the skewers from the grill and serve hot with the chilled cilantro lime dip on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Add extra honey for a sweeter glaze or an extra jalapeño for more heat.
- These skewers also work well when cooked in the oven or air fryer.
- Can be prepped ahead of time and grilled just before serving for convenience.
