Whether by design or default, whenever I attend a backyard barbecue, it always seems to be the men who rush to the grill (fixins for Grilled Pork Chops in tow) and the women who handle the accompanying sides/desserts (ahem, Grilled Corn Salad). Even at home, whenever we grill, Ben insists on being the one to “man” the flame. I rarely disagree, since it’s the one occasion he cooks (unless it’s this Balsamic Glazed Salmon). Still, I was beginning to feel a grill-shaped void in my cooking repertoire. After all, why shouldn’t I be able to hold a spatula and master the flame? Move over boys—I’m armed with fajita chicken kebabs, and I’m ready to take over the tongs.
How to Make Fajita Chicken Kebabs
If you’ve been intimated to try grilling, I’m thrilled to now say from experience: basic grilling is a snap! These juicy, fajita-inspired chicken kebabs with bell peppers and red onion could not be any simpler or more delicious. A quick 30 minutes of marinade time are all you need, though you can certainly prep the chicken up to 24 hours in advance (ditto for this Orange Chicken Marinade), for maximum dinner speed.
The Ingredients
Chicken. Juicy, lean chicken breasts pack in the protein without extra fat. It doesn’t get much better than Grilled Chicken Breast.Bell Peppers. Bring color, traditional fajita flavor, and nutrition in the form of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber.Red Onion. Yellow onions are great for soups (like this Chicken Tortilla Soup) and stovetop cooking, but for grilling, I love the flavor, color, and crunch of zippy red onion.Lime Juice. Tenderizes the chicken as it marinates and infuses every bite with bold lime flavor.Cumin + Chili Powder. The (obligatory) dynamic duo for any and all southwest cuisine (including these Slow Cooker Carnitas).Jalapeno. Brings the heat! We like our kebabs spicy so I use a whole jalapeno (seeds and all) but feel free to adjust the amount to suit your tolerance/preference.Garlic. For some extra bite.Cilantro. For a finish of color and authentic southwest taste.Fixins. Salsa, Best Homemade Guacamole, sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt), and anything else your heart desires. (Ben deconstructed his kebabs and rolled them up in tortillas like classic Beef Fajitas).
The Directions
Storage Tips
To Store. Leftover chicken kebabs may be stored in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.To Reheat. Warm gently in the microwave until heated through.
What to Serve with Chicken Kebabs
Rice. We love these fajita chicken kebabs with a simple side of Lemon Rice.Beans. A side of Instant Pot Black Beans would be delicious with these kebabs.Salad. This Mexican Street Corn Quinoa Salad would be a wonderful side to these kebabs.
One final, burning question: Is it more appropriate to refer to a woman as “Grill Master” or “Grill Mistress?” Please discuss—I can’t decide which to put on my future apron.
More Delicious Skewer Recipes
Shrimp Kabobs with PineappleGrilled Shrimp SeasoningGrilled Pesto Chicken Skewers
