Cachaça-Glazed Chicken Skewers with Farofa and Lime

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy grilled chicken skewers brushed with a sweet and tangy cachaça glaze, served alongside toasted cassava farofa and fresh lime wedges. This brazilian-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs cachaça, brown sugar, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Brazilian cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup cachaça, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1.5 lbs chicken thigh cubes and marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (around 425°F). Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers and grill for 4-5 minutes per side, brushing with leftover marinade, until nicely charred and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, melt 3 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 small finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 cup cassava flour and toast for 5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant to make farofa. Remove from heat and mix in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
  5. Step 5: Serve the chicken skewers atop a bed of farofa with fresh lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the meat.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cachaça-Glazed Chicken Skewers with Farofa and Lime take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cachaça-Glazed Chicken Skewers with Farofa and Lime?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cachaça from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cachaça-Glazed Chicken Skewers with Farofa and Lime?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cachaça-Glazed Chicken Skewers with Farofa and Lime for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cachaça-Glazed Chicken Skewers with Farofa and Lime?

Brazilian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes