Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Firecracker Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-06 · Updated 2026-07-06

Tender chicken skewers marinated in bright citrus and grilled to smoky perfection, served with a spicy, tangy firecracker dipping sauce. This American-inspired Fourth of July recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, orange juice, fresh lime juice 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 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 8 wooden skewers, soaked
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sriracha sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until well combined to create the marinade.
2. Step 2: Cut 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes and add to the marinade, stirring to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor.
3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, spacing them slightly apart.
4. Step 4: Grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice charred color.
5. Step 5: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp sriracha sauce, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar, whisking until smooth to make the firecracker sauce.
6. Step 6: Serve the grilled chicken skewers hot with the firecracker sauce on the side for dipping.