Grilled Brazilian Citrus-Spiced Chicken Skewers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-25 · Updated 2026-06-25

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy chicken skewers marinated in a zesty blend of citrus and spices, grilled to smoky perfection with a vibrant Rio-inspired flair. This Brazilian-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 32 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, fresh lime juice, orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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: 20 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Brazilian cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup orange juice
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
8 wooden skewers, soaked

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Instructions

Step 1: Cut 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs into 1.5-inch cubes. In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup orange juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until fully combined.
Step 2: Add the chicken cubes to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 3 hours, to let the citrus and spices infuse deeply.
Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, leaving a little space between pieces.
Step 4: Grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through and has charred grill marks. Internal temperature should reach 165°F.
Step 5: Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy and flavorful bites.