Spicy Honey Jalapeno Chicken Skewers Recipe

Juicy Spicy Honey Jalapeno Chicken Skewers Recipe That Sizzle

Nestled in the world of vibrant cuisine, these spicy honey jalapeño chicken skewers promise an explosive culinary adventure.

Flavors dance together with remarkable intensity on each perfectly grilled bite.

Summer gatherings become magical moments when these skewers hit the plate.

Bold ingredients combine in ways that surprise and delight your palate.

Rich honey sweetness intertwines with fiery jalapeño heat, creating a mouthwatering balance.

Each skewer tells a story of bold seasonings and expert grilling techniques.

Trust you’ll want to make these again and again for every outdoor celebration.

Jalapeño Chicken Skewers With Sweet Heat

  • Quick Flavor Explosion: Burst with bold, zesty tastes that awaken every single taste bud in just minutes of cooking.
  • Family-Friendly Twist: Customize spice levels easily by removing jalapeño seeds, making this dish adaptable for kids and adults with different heat tolerances.
  • Speedy Weeknight Wonder: Requires minimal prep time and marinates quickly, perfect for busy families needing delicious meals without complicated steps.
  • Versatile Grilling Star: Works beautifully on outdoor grills, indoor grill pans, or even oven, offering flexibility for any cooking setup or weather condition.

Jalapeno Skewer Mix for Chicken Bites

Marinade Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Helps distribute flavors and prevent sticking, choose extra virgin for best taste.
  • Honey: Provides sweetness and helps caramelize the chicken, local raw honey works best.
  • Soy Sauce: Adds depth and saltiness to the marinade, low-sodium option available.
  • Lime Juice: Adds brightness and tenderizes the meat, fresh juice recommended.
Protein:
  • Chicken Cubes: Main protein source, boneless and skinless chicken breast works perfectly, cut into uniform pieces for even cooking.
Spices and Aromatics:
  • Jalapeños, Garlic: Brings heat and intense flavor, fresh ingredients provide the best taste.
  • Paprika, Cumin: Adds complex warmth and depth to the marinade, ground spices preferred.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances overall seasoning, kosher salt recommended for better flavor distribution.

Steps for Spicy Honey Jalapeno Chicken Skewers

Step 1: Whip Up the Flavor Explosion

Create a mouthwatering marinade by combining the following ingredients in a mixing bowl:
  • Olive oil
  • Honey
  • Soy sauce
  • Fresh lime juice
  • Chopped jalapeños
  • Minced garlic
  • Paprika
  • Cumin
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Stir everything together until the ingredients mingle and create a vibrant, tangy sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Give the Chicken a Flavor Bath

Toss chicken cubes into the marinade, ensuring each piece gets completely coated with the zesty mixture.

Cover the bowl and park it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, letting the flavors work their magic.

Step 3: Fire Up the Grill

Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature, creating the perfect sizzling surface for your skewers.

Step 4: Build Delicious Skewer Towers

Carefully thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, leaving a little breathing room between each chunk to ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Grill to Perfection

Place the skewers on the hot grill, cooking for 6-8 minutes on each side.

You’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown char and fully cooked chicken that’s juicy and bursting with flavor.

Step 6: Serve and Celebrate

Transfer the sizzling skewers to a serving plate.

For an extra flavor punch, drizzle with additional honey and sprinkle with fresh jalapeño slices.

Get ready to enjoy a spicy, sweet, and utterly irresistible meal!

Chicken Skewer Tips With Jalapeno Heat

  • Let chicken soak in the spicy-sweet mixture for at least 30 minutes to maximize flavor absorption and tenderize the meat.
  • Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before threading chicken to prevent them from charring quickly on the grill.
  • Remove jalapeño seeds for a milder version or keep them for extra spiciness, depending on your heat tolerance.
  • Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into uniform cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
  • Space chicken pieces slightly apart on skewers to allow proper heat circulation and achieve perfect caramelization on all sides.

Chicken Skewers With Jalapeño Heat Reheated Fast

  • Store leftover chicken skewers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Place skewers on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 10-12 minutes until heated through.
  • Arrange skewers on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals to maintain moisture and prevent toughness.
  • Add a splash of chicken broth or extra marinade before reheating to keep the meat juicy and flavorful.

Zesty Bites For Jalapeno Skewers

  • Pair Sweet Riesling: Complement the spicy-sweet chicken skewers with a crisp, slightly sweet Riesling that balances the heat and enhances the honey's flavor profile.
  • Cool Down with Cucumber Salad: Create a refreshing side dish with cucumber, mint, and a light yogurt dressing to counteract the skewers' spiciness and provide a cooling contrast.
  • Match with Mexican Cerveza: Select a light Mexican beer like Corona or Modelo to cut through the heat and complement the jalapeño's zesty kick, creating a perfect flavor harmony.
  • Serve Cilantro Lime Rice: Prepare a simple cilantro lime rice that absorbs the skewers' marinade and provides a neutral, aromatic base that supports the bold chicken flavors.

Jalapeno Chicken Skewer Variations

  • Vegetarian Skewers: Replace chicken with firm tofu, tempeh, or large portobello mushroom chunks. Marinate plant-based proteins the same way for maximum flavor absorption.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to ensure the recipe remains gluten-free without sacrificing taste.
  • Low-Carb Adaptation: Reduce honey quantity and substitute with monk fruit sweetener or stevia for fewer carbohydrates while maintaining sweetness.
  • Oven-Baked Variation: When grilling isn't possible, bake skewers at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

FAQs

  • Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute chicken with pork, beef, or shrimp. Just adjust cooking times based on the protein’s thickness and recommended internal temperature.

  • How can I make the dish less spicy?

Remove the jalapeño seeds and membranes before chopping, or reduce the number of jalapeños in the marinade. You can also use milder peppers like poblano or bell peppers.

  • Is there a way to prepare these skewers without a grill?

Absolutely! You can cook these skewers in a preheated oven at 425°F for 15-20 minutes or use a stovetop grill pan on medium-high heat.

  • Can I prepare the marinade and chicken ahead of time?

Yes, you can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Keep it covered in the refrigerator to enhance the flavor and ensure the meat stays tender.

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Spicy Honey Jalapeno Chicken Skewers Recipe

Spicy Honey Jalapeno Chicken Skewers Recipe


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4.8 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Spicy honey jalapeño chicken skewers deliver a fiery dance of sweet and heat from Mexican-inspired cuisine. Grilled to perfection with bold marinades, these skewers promise a mouthwatering adventure for spice enthusiasts craving intense flavor combinations.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (1 lb) chicken breast

Marinade and Seasoning:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Aromatics and Spice:

  • 23 jalapenos (finely chopped)
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)

Accessories:

  • Skewers (wooden or metal)

Instructions

  1. Whisk together olive oil, honey, soy sauce, lime juice, jalapeños, garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl to create a vibrant, zesty marinade.
  2. Immerse chicken cubes completely in the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Seal and refrigerate for a minimum of half an hour to allow flavors to infuse deeply.
  3. Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature, creating ideal conditions for caramelization and charring.
  4. Carefully skewer marinated chicken pieces, maintaining slight gaps between chunks to promote even cooking and optimal heat circulation.
  5. Position skewers on heated cooking surface, grilling approximately 6-8 minutes per side until chicken develops a golden-brown exterior and reaches full internal doneness.
  6. Transfer grilled skewers to serving platter, enhancing presentation with an additional drizzle of honey and scattered fresh jalapeño slices for an extra flavor punch.

Notes

  • Adjust spice levels by removing jalapeño seeds for a milder version or adding extra for more heat.
  • Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian alternative that absorbs marinade beautifully.
  • Use wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
  • Marinate chicken overnight to intensify flavors and create more tender, juicy meat.
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
Daniel Bruns

Daniel Bruns

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis


Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.

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