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Peruvian Grilled Chicken Skewers

Peruvian Grilled Chicken Skewers

Peruvian Grilled Chicken Skewers are a flavor-packed main course featuring marinated chicken thighs grilled to smoky perfection. A bold blend of aji panca, garlic, cumin, and vinegar brings authentic Peruvian street-food vibes to your backyard BBQ.
These skewers are easy to prep, perfect for meal prep or entertaining, and pair beautifully with aji verde sauce and vibrant sides. Great for summer grilling or an exciting weeknight dinner!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinate Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Peruvian
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Skewers:

  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons aji panca paste
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or lime juice
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Optional for Skewering:

  • 1 red bell pepper cut into chunks
  • 1 red onion cut into chunks
  • Skewers metal or wooden soaked in water for 30 minutes

For the Aji Verde Sauce (Optional but recommended):

  • 1 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 –2 jalapeños seeds removed
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

Prepare the Marinade:

  • In a bowl or blender, mix:
  • Aji panca paste
  • Olive oil
  • Red wine vinegar or lime juice
  • Minced garlic
  • Smoked paprika
  • Cumin
  • Salt and pepper
  • Blend or whisk until well combined.

Marinate the Chicken:

  • Place the chicken pieces in a large zip-top bag or bowl.
  • Pour the marinade over the chicken and toss to coat.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is best).

Make the Aji Verde Sauce (Optional):

  • Combine cilantro, jalapeños, garlic, lime juice, mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), olive oil, and salt in a blender.
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Assemble the Skewers:

  • Thread marinated chicken onto skewers, alternating with bell pepper and onion chunks if using.

Grill the Skewers:

  • Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
  • Grill skewers for 4–5 minutes per side or until chicken is fully cooked (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
  • Optionally baste with reserved marinade during grilling for extra flavor.

Serve:

  • Drizzle with aji verde sauce and serve with your favorite sides like rice, corn, or salad.
Keyword Peruvian Grilled Chicken Skewers