Grilled Citrus-Chili Chicken Skewers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-07 · Updated 2026-05-07

Juicy chicken thighs marinated in a zesty citrus and chili mixture, grilled to smoky perfection on skewers. This Mexican-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, orange juice, lime 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.

Ingredients

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

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this chicken with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs into 1.5-inch pieces and place in a bowl. Add 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp chipotle chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
2. Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated chicken pieces evenly onto 8 soaked wooden skewers.
3. Step 3: Place skewers on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and has a nice charred edge.
4. Step 4: Remove skewers from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.