Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Chimichurri

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-16 · Updated 2026-06-16

Juicy chicken skewers marinated in zesty orange and garlic, grilled to perfection, and served with vibrant herb chimichurri sauce. This Brazilian-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs orange juice, lime juice, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 chicken thighs, boneless skinless, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
• 1/3 cup olive oil (for chimichurri)
• 8 wooden skewers, soaked in water

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
2. Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs chicken thigh cubes to the marinade, toss well to coat, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare the chimichurri by mixing 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/3 cup olive oil, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes in a small bowl. Stir well and set aside.
4. Step 4: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto 8 soaked wooden skewers.
5. Step 5: Grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side until chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
6. Step 6: Remove from the grill and let rest for 3 minutes before serving.
7. Step 7: Serve the chicken skewers drizzled generously with the fresh chimichurri sauce.