Brazilian Cuisine
Garlic and Lime Chicken Skewers
Mini chicken skewers (Espetinhos de frango) are a staple of Brazilian street food culture, bringing a vibrant, casual, and summery vibe right into your kitchen. Tender pieces of chicken are steeped in a heavy-hitting marinade of fresh lime juice and crushed garlic, creating an incredibly juicy bite with a bright citrus punch. Quick to cook and highly addictive, these mini skewers are perfect for casual entertaining or a fun family dinner.
Dishday
Recipe overview
- Total time
- 30 min
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cooking
- 15 min
- Servings
- 3
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cuisine
- Brazilian Cuisine
Nutrition
per serving
- Calories
- 240 kcal
- Protein
- 28 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Carbs
- 3 g
- Fiber
- 0.4 g
Step by step
Method
- 01
Cut the chicken into uniform 2
Cut the chicken into uniform 2.5-3 cm (1-inch) cubes so they cook evenly.
- 02
In a bowl, combine the lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic,…
In a bowl, combine the lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and half of the vegetable oil.
- 03
Toss the chicken cubes into the marinade, coating each piece…
Toss the chicken cubes into the marinade, coating each piece thoroughly. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- 04
Soak the wooden skewers in cold water while the chicken is ma…
Soak the wooden skewers in cold water while the chicken is marinating.
- 05
Thread the marinated chicken cubes tightly onto the soaked wo…
Thread the marinated chicken cubes tightly onto the soaked wooden skewers, leaving room at the ends.
- 06
Heat the remaining oil in a large grill pan or skillet over m…
Heat the remaining oil in a large grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
- 07
Fry the skewers for 3-4 minutes per side (around 12-15 minute…
Fry the skewers for 3-4 minutes per side (around 12-15 minutes total), turning occasionally until beautifully charred and cooked through. Serve with extra lime wedges.
Dishday
Useful advice
Cooking tip
Always soak your wooden skewers in cold water for 20-30 minutes before threading the meat. This simple step keeps them from scorching or catching fire in the pan.
How to serve
Serve hot immediately. For a truly authentic Brazilian experience, offer some toasted manioc flour (farofa) for dipping the chicken, along with a zesty tomato-onion vinaigrette salsa.
How to store
The chicken can be kept in its marinade in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Cooked skewers can be refrigerated for 1-2 days and reheated in a hot skillet.
Note
For maximum juiciness, use boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts. If you like a spicy kick, feel free to toss a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce into the marinade.
