Maple-Chili Grilled Chicken Skewers (Printable Version)

Juicy chicken pieces glazed with sweet maple and spicy chili, grilled with colorful peppers and onions for a quick, flavorful meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Marinade

01 - 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
04 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

→ For the Skewers

11 - 1.5 lb (700 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
12 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
13 - 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
14 - 1 red onion, cut into wedges
15 - Wooden or metal skewers

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together all the marinade ingredients until well combined.
02 - Place chicken cubes into a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour marinade over them. Toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours for enhanced flavor.
03 - If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
04 - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
05 - Thread the chicken, bell peppers, and onion onto skewers, alternating pieces for visual appeal and even cooking. Discard the used marinade.
06 - Lightly oil the grill grates. Grill the skewers for 5–6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
07 - Remove skewers from the grill and let them rest for 2–3 minutes before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Ready in just over 30 minutes of active cooking time
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients with big flavor impact
  • Perfectly balanced sweet-spicy profile that appeals to everyone
  • Versatile enough for both weeknight meals and special occasions
02 -
  • High in protein with 34g per serving
  • Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free making it suitable for many dietary needs
  • Can be prepared ahead and quickly grilled when guests arrive
03 -
  • Allow chicken to marinate for the full recommended time as this significantly enhances flavor development
  • Cut all ingredients into similar sized pieces to ensure even cooking throughout
  • Keep a small bowl of the marinade separate before adding raw chicken to brush on during the final minutes of grilling for extra flavor

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