Grilled Chipotle Chicken Skewers with Creamy Cilantro Sauce
Fire up your taste buds with these Grilled Chipotle Chicken Skewers, bursting with flavor and perfect as a party appetizer! This recipe, adapted from Cook's Illustrated, features tender pieces of marinated chicken, expertly grilled to perfection and served with a luscious creamy cilantro dipping sauce. Not only are these skewers a crowd-pleaser, but the zesty sauce also pairs beautifully with fish tacos, making it a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire. Enjoy them ready in under an hour as a festive starter or a delightful main course, though don’t forget to consider portion sizes if serving as a meal!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 lbs (sliced across the grain into 1/2-inch-thick strips)
light brown sugar
1/4 cup (packed)
fresh cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons (minced)
chipotle chile in adobo
1 (minced)
adobo sauce
2 teaspoons
salt
1 1/2 teaspoons
chili powder
1/2 teaspoon
garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon
ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon
nonstick cooking spray
low-fat sour cream
3/4 cup
reduced-fat mayonnaise
1/4 cup
lime juice
1/4 cup (from 2 to 3 limes)
garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon
cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons (minced)
scallions
2 (minced)
salt
1/2 teaspoon
ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon
Instructions
1
For the Chicken: Slice the boneless, skinless chicken breasts across the grain into 1/2-inch-thick strips; you should have about 30 strips. In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, minced cilantro, minced chipotle Chile, adobo sauce, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, and ground black pepper. Add the chicken strips and toss well to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld (the chicken can marinate in the fridge for up to 1 day).
2
For the Dipping Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine low-fat sour cream, reduced-fat mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic powder, minced cilantro, minced scallions, salt, and ground black pepper. Stir together until smooth and well-mixed. Cover with plastic wrap and let the sauce sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes for the flavors to harmonize (it can also be refrigerated for up to 2 days; adjust seasoning with lime juice, salt, and pepper before serving).
3
Preheat your oven's broiler and position an oven rack at the top level. Line a broiler pan with foil, ensuring that the bottom is covered, and place the slotted broiler pan top on top; lightly coat it with nonstick cooking spray. Thread each piece of marinated chicken onto the bamboo skewers. Place half of the skewers on the broiler pan top, covering only the ends of the skewers with another piece of foil to prevent burning.
4
Broil the chicken for about 5 to 8 minutes, flipping the skewers halfway through, until the meat is lightly browned and cooked through. Once cooked, transfer the skewers to a serving platter and serve immediately with half the creamy cilantro dipping sauce. Repeat the broiling process with the remaining skewers and serve them alongside the rest of the sauce.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the title of this recipe?
Grilled Chipotle Chicken Skewers with Creamy Cilantro Sauce.
Who is this recipe adapted from?
This recipe is adapted from Cook's Illustrated.
How should the chicken breasts be prepared?
Slice them across the grain into 1/2-inch-thick strips.
How many chicken strips should I have?
You should have about 30 strips from 2 lbs of chicken.
What ingredients are in the chicken marinade?
Brown sugar, minced cilantro, minced chipotle Chile, adobo sauce, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, and ground black pepper.
How long does the chicken need to marinate?
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What is the maximum time I can marinate the chicken?
The chicken can marinate in the fridge for up to 1 day.
What ingredients are in the creamy cilantro sauce?
Low-fat sour cream, reduced-fat mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic powder, minced cilantro, minced scallions, salt, and ground black pepper.
How long should the dipping sauce sit before serving?
Let the sauce sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes for the flavors to harmonize.
Can I make the cilantro sauce in advance?
Yes, it can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Where should I position the oven rack?
Position the oven rack at the top level for broiling.
How do I prepare the broiler pan?
Line it with foil, place the slotted top on, and coat it with nonstick cooking spray.
How do I prevent the bamboo skewers from burning?
Cover only the ends of the skewers with a piece of foil while broiling.
How long does the chicken take to broil?
It takes about 5 to 8 minutes total.
Do I need to flip the skewers during cooking?
Yes, flip the skewers halfway through the broiling process.
What type of mayonnaise is used in the sauce?
Reduced-fat mayonnaise is recommended.
How much lime juice is required for the sauce?
1/4 cup of lime juice, which is usually from 2 to 3 limes.
How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?
The meat should be lightly browned and cooked through.
What else does the cilantro sauce pair well with?
The sauce also pairs beautifully with fish tacos.
What type of sugar is in the marinade?
Light brown sugar.
How should I adjust the sauce after refrigeration?
Adjust seasoning with lime juice, salt, and pepper before serving.
Is this recipe suitable for a party?
Yes, it is described as a perfect party appetizer and a crowd-pleaser.
What is the approximate total time for this recipe?
The recipe is ready in under an hour.
How many scallions are used in the sauce?
Two minced scallions.
What kind of chicken is used?
Boneless skinless chicken breasts.
Should I cover the bowl while marinating?
Yes, cover the bowl with plastic wrap before refrigerating.
What type of cooking spray is used?
Nonstick cooking spray.
Is the cilantro minced or used whole?
The cilantro leaves are minced for both the chicken and the sauce.
How many skewers should be broiled at once?
Broil half of the skewers at a time.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Chicken skewers, appetizer, grilled chicken, chipotle, cilantro sauce, party food, and light recipe.