Smoky Chipotle Chicken Skewers with Creamy Avocado Dipping Sauce: Your Ultimate BBQ Recipe

Dive into the incredible flavors of summer with these Chipotle Chicken Skewers! Featuring tender, juicy chicken pieces infused with bright lime and smoky chipotle, grilled to perfection, and paired with an irresistibly creamy and chunky avocado dipping sauce. This mouth-wateringly delicious dish is not just a meal; it’s an experience, perfect for sharing at your next BBQ or a delightful family dinner.

There’s truly nothing that captures the essence of summer quite like the enticing aroma of kabobs sizzling on a hot grill! These delightful skewers are a fantastic option for outdoor cooking – they’re remarkably effortless to prepare, incredibly flavorful, and astonishingly versatile. Whether you’re in the mood for the sweet and savory notes of Grilled Teriyaki Shrimp Kabobs or the bold taste of Ginger Soy Beef Kabobs, the possibilities are endless. You can effortlessly mix and match a vibrant array of flavors, fresh vegetables, and delicious proteins to create an impressive spread of crowd-pleasing fare that will satisfy every palate at your gathering. Kabobs make summer entertaining simple and delicious, bringing everyone together around the grill.

The Best Chipotle Chicken Skewers You’ll Ever Make

Prepare to elevate your next barbecue menu by adding these sensational Chipotle Chicken Skewers! Each bite-sized strip of chicken is generously coated in an umami-rich marinade that promises an explosion of flavor. The vibrant tang of sour lime juice perfectly complements the deep, smoky heat of chipotle in adobo, while a touch of tangy balsamic vinegar adds an unexpected layer of complexity, creating a truly unforgettable taste experience. This marinade doesn’t just flavor the chicken; it tenderizes it, ensuring every piece is succulent and juicy.

To complete this culinary masterpiece, we pair the grilled chicken with a quick, easy, and undeniably delicious creamy avocado dipping sauce. This sauce adds a cool, rich counterpoint to the smoky chicken, making these skewers an absolute hit. They are fantastic served straight off the grill, offering a convenient, handheld meal. But their versatility doesn’t stop there; they’re also ideal for packing away as a flavorful and healthy lunch throughout your busy week. Get ready for rave reviews!

Why This Chipotle Chicken Skewer Recipe Will Be Your New Favorite

• Effortless Scalability for Any Crowd: One of the greatest advantages of this recipe is how easily it can be scaled up or down. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy family dinner or feeding a large party, the preparation remains quick and minimal. Simply adjust the ingredient quantities, and you can effortlessly multiply the batch to feed a crowd without significantly increasing your prep time. This makes it a go-to recipe for everything from weeknight meals to grand backyard celebrations.
• Incredible Versatility: These chicken skewers are exceptionally versatile, adapting to various serving styles and dietary needs. Enjoy them directly from the skewer for a fun, interactive meal. For a different presentation, remove the chicken from the skewers and use the flavorful pieces in vibrant salads, hearty tacos, or cheesy quesadillas. You can also elevate the skewers by marinating chunks of your favorite vegetables—such as bell peppers, zucchini, red onions, or cherry tomatoes—alongside the chicken. Threading these onto the skewers not only makes the protein go further but also adds fantastic color, texture, and nutritional variety to your kabobs.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: This recipe is a true crowd-pleaser, suitable for any meal or event. Serve it as a light lunch, a satisfying dinner, or bring it to a festive BBQ or potluck. Despite its simple preparation, it delivers a robust depth of flavor that appeals to almost everyone, including even the most discerning eaters. Its delightful combination of smoky chicken and creamy avocado sauce guarantees smiles all around.

Essential Ingredients for Flavorful Skewers and Creamy Dip

For your convenience, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card with exact measurements.

For the Zesty Chipotle Chicken Marinade

• Chicken: For the best results in this recipe, opt for boneless, skinless chicken breast. This cut cooks quickly and evenly, remaining tender and juicy. While many grocery stores offer pre-cubed chicken, you can often save money and control the size of your pieces by purchasing whole breasts and slicing them into uniform strips yourself. Aim for pieces that are roughly 1-inch thick to ensure consistent cooking.
• Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is paramount here. Its bright, acidic notes not only infuse the chicken with a wonderful citrusy tang but also act as a tenderizer, helping to break down the chicken fibers for a more succulent result. Avoid bottled lime juice if possible, as the flavor simply isn’t the same.
• Balsamic Vinegar: A splash of balsamic vinegar adds a delightful sweet and tangy complexity to the marinade. It contributes a depth of flavor that rounds out the bright lime and smoky chipotle, creating a more balanced and intriguing profile.
• Chipotle Pepper in Adobo: This ingredient is the star for smoky flavor and a gentle heat. You’ll typically find small cans of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce in the Latin or International aisle of your grocery store. If not, check near the canned tomatoes. Remember, these peppers pack a punch, so adjust the amount to your preferred spice level. Mince them finely for even distribution.
• Salt: Essential for seasoning the chicken and enhancing all the other flavors in the marinade.

For the Creamy Avocado Dipping Sauce

• Avocado: The foundation of our creamy sauce. You’ll need one whole, perfectly ripe avocado. Its natural richness and smooth texture are key to the dip’s appeal. See our tips below on how to pick the perfect one!
• Sour Cream: This adds a lovely tang and extra creaminess to the sauce. If you’re looking for a lighter alternative, you can easily swap it for low-fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, which will also provide a pleasant tartness.
• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro brings a burst of herbaceous flavor and bright green color to the dip. Minced finely, it disperses its unique taste throughout the creamy avocado.
• Lime Juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice is crucial for both flavor and to help prevent the avocado from browning. It brightens the dip and echoes the lime in the chicken marinade.
• Lime Zest: Don’t skip the zest! It contains essential oils that offer an intense burst of lime flavor, adding depth and aromatic freshness that juice alone cannot provide.
• Salt: A pinch of salt is vital to season the avocado sauce, balancing the flavors and bringing out the best in each ingredient.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Chipotle Chicken Skewers

1. Prepare the Chicken for Even Cooking: Begin by placing your boneless, skinless chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap or in a large Ziploc bag. Using a meat mallet or the flat side of a heavy pan, gently pound the chicken breasts until they are uniformly ¼ inch thick. This crucial step ensures that all pieces cook evenly and quickly, preventing some parts from drying out while others are still cooking. Once flattened, cut the chicken into consistent 1-inch wide strips.
2. Whip Up the Flavorful Marinade: In a sturdy Ziploc bag, combine the salt, fresh lime juice, balsamic vinegar, and the finely minced chipotle pepper in adobo. Seal the bag securely, ensuring no air can escape, then give it a good shake and squish to thoroughly combine all the ingredients. The Ziploc bag is excellent for ensuring every inch of chicken gets coated.
3. Marinate for Maximum Flavor and Tenderness: Add the prepared chicken strips to the marinade in the Ziploc bag. Toss them gently to ensure each strip is fully coated with the delicious mixture. Press out any excess air, seal the bag flat, and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the chicken to marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes, but no more than 45 minutes to an hour for optimal flavor absorption without over-tenderizing from the acid. For best results, avoid marinating for more than 36 hours.
4. Preheat Your Grill: While the chicken is marinating, preheat your grill to a medium-high heat (around 375-400°F or 190-200°C). Clean the grill grates thoroughly and lightly oil them to prevent sticking.
5. Skewer the Chicken with Care: Once marinated, remove the chicken from the Ziploc bag and discard the remaining marinade. Now, it’s time to thread the chicken onto your skewers. For best results, use metal skewers or wooden skewers that have been soaked in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread about 3 strips of chicken onto each skewer, using a zig-zag or accordion-style formation. Start by poking the skewer through one end of a strip, then bend the chicken and poke the skewer through it again, continuing this process. This method ensures the chicken is secure on the skewer and prevents it from spinning freely on the grill.
6. Grill to Perfection: Carefully transfer the prepared chicken skewers to the hot grill. Cook them covered over medium heat for approximately 4-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The chicken should have nice grill marks and be slightly caramelized. Resist the urge to constantly move them, allowing them time to develop a good sear.

Crafting the Creamy Avocado Dipping Sauce

1. Mash the Avocado: While the chicken is grilling, prepare your avocado sauce. Scoop the peeled and pitted avocado into a medium-sized bowl. Using a fork, mash the avocado to your desired level of chunkiness. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use a food processor or blender.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: Stir in the sour cream and fresh, minced cilantro until all ingredients are well combined and the sauce is uniform.
3. Season and Finish: Add the delicate lime zest, a pinch of salt, and squeeze in the juice from half a lime. Mix thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Cover the sauce by placing plastic wrap directly onto its surface (this prevents unwanted browning from air exposure) and keep it chilled in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

Expert Recipe Tips for Perfect Skewers Every Time

• Chicken Cut Preference: While we suggest strips for easier eating, feel free to cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes if that’s your preference. Strips often stay on the skewer better and allow for smaller, more manageable bites, but cubes can provide a different texture and visual appeal.
• Smooth vs. Chunky Sauce: If you prefer a completely smooth and creamy dipping sauce rather than a chunky one, simply add all the avocado sauce ingredients to a food processor or blender and process until velvety.
• Guacamole Sauce Variation: Transform your avocado sauce into a vibrant guacamole by incorporating finely diced garlic, red onion, and fresh tomato. For an extra kick, a small amount of finely minced jalapeño or serrano pepper can be added.
• Mind the Marination Time: While you can let the chicken marinate for longer than the recommended 45 minutes, it’s crucial not to exceed 36 hours. The acidity from the lime juice and balsamic vinegar will begin to break down the chicken fibers too much after this time, leading to a mushy, undesirable texture rather than a tender one.
• Soak Wooden Skewers: If you’re using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken. This prevents them from burning on the grill.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Grill: Place the skewers on the grill with enough space between them for even cooking. Overcrowding can lower the grill temperature and steam the chicken instead of searing it, leading to less desirable texture and grill marks.
• Rest Your Chicken: After grilling, transfer the skewers to a clean plate and loosely tent them with foil. Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken.

How to Select the Perfect Ripe Avocado

There are few things more frustrating in the kitchen than eagerly cutting into an avocado only to discover it’s either rock hard and completely unripe, or worse, brown, mushy, and past its prime. Learning how to pick a ripe avocado is an essential skill for any home cook.

Here’s what to look for:

• Color: Generally, you want to look for avocados with a darker green or even a purplish-black exterior, rather than a bright green one. While Hass avocados (the most common variety) darken as they ripen, other varieties might stay green. So, color is a good indicator but not the only one.
• Texture: Feel the skin. A ripe avocado should have a slightly bumpy texture, not completely smooth.
• Gentle Pressure Test: This is the most reliable method. Hold the avocado in the palm of your hand and apply gentle but firm pressure with your fingers.
  • If it feels hard and unyielding, it’s not yet ripe and will need a few days on the counter.
  • If it’s squishy and your fingers leave deep indentations, it’s overripe and likely to be brown or stringy inside.
  • You want to choose an avocado that *slightly yields* to gentle pressure, feeling soft but not mushy. This indicates perfect ripeness.
• Stem Test: Gently flick off the small stem or cap at the top of the avocado. If it comes off easily and you see green underneath, it’s generally ripe and fresh. If it’s brown, the avocado is likely overripe. If the stem doesn’t budge, it’s probably not ripe enough.

If you purchase firm avocados, you can speed up the ripening process by placing them in a brown paper bag with a banana or apple; the ethylene gas released by these fruits will help ripen the avocado faster.

Can I Prepare Chicken Skewers in Advance?

Absolutely! Preparing these Chipotle Chicken Skewers ahead of time is a fantastic strategy to save even more precious prep time, especially on those busy days or when you’re hosting a backyard BBQ party. It streamlines the cooking process, allowing you to enjoy your guests or relax more when mealtime comes.

You can easily prep the chicken by pounding it, cutting it into strips, and mixing it with the flavorful marinade. Leave the chicken to marinate in a sealed Ziploc bag in the fridge for up to 24 hours. The avocado dipping sauce can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, covered tightly with plastic wrap directly on the surface, for up to 1-2 days. Then, when you’re ready to cook, all you have to do is quickly thread the chicken onto the skewers, fire up the grill, and enjoy the delicious results with minimal last-minute fuss!

Delicious Pairings: What to Serve with Grilled Chicken Skewers

These Chipotle Chicken Skewers are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes, making them a perfect centerpiece for any meal. Here are some BBQ-worthy sides that complement their smoky, zesty flavors:

• Fajita Veggies: For an easy and customizable fajita dinner, simply remove the cooked chicken from the skewers and pair it with a vibrant medley of sizzling fajita vegetables. Add warm tortillas, salsa, and extra avocado sauce for a build-it-yourself meal everyone will love.
• Smoked Corn on the Cob: This smoked corn is bursting with flavor and is an absolute must-add to any outdoor summertime menu. Its smoky sweetness perfectly complements the spicy chicken.
• Grilled Potato Packs: Since you already have the grill fired up, it’s incredibly easy to throw on these convenient foil-wrapped potatoes. They cook alongside your chicken, offer virtually no cleanup, and guests can customize their baked potatoes with various toppings like cheese, sour cream, chives, or even some of that creamy avocado sauce!
• Fresh Salsa or Pico de Gallo: A light and refreshing tomato-based salsa or pico de gallo adds a juicy, fresh contrast to the grilled chicken.
• Cilantro Lime Rice: A simple side of fluffy rice infused with fresh cilantro and lime juice is a perfect absorbent base for the flavorful chicken and sauce.
• Black Bean and Corn Salad: A vibrant salad with black beans, corn, red onion, and a light vinaigrette offers a burst of color, texture, and complementary flavors.
• Warm Tortillas: Serve the chicken in soft corn or flour tortillas for a casual taco night experience.

Discover More Delicious Grilling Recipes

• Grilled Avocado Chicken
• Fiesta Lime Chicken
• Poor Man’s Burnt Ends
• Grilled Chicken Legs
• Margarita Grilled Chicken
• Grilled Pork Chops
• Grilled Chicken Sandwich
• Grilled Turkey Tenderloin

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