Embark on a culinary adventure with our vibrant Citrus Achiote Chicken Skewers, a dish designed to tantalize your taste buds and impress at any gathering. These skewers offer a delightful balance of zesty citrus, earthy achiote, and a hint of spice, all perfectly char-grilled to juicy perfection. They are not just incredibly flavorful but also visually appealing, making them an ideal choice for an easy weeknight meal or a festive weekend barbecue. Paired with a unique Three Pepper Rice and a creamy, refreshing sauce, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into an unforgettable dining experience.
While whole chicken breasts or thighs can certainly be used, we highly recommend cubing the chicken for these skewers. This simple preparation technique allows the rich, aromatic marinade to penetrate every piece of chicken, infusing it with maximum flavor. As the chicken cooks on the grill, the smaller cubes develop a beautiful char, adding a desirable smoky depth and a wonderfully crisp exterior that contrasts perfectly with the tender interior. This grilling method ensures each bite is packed with the vibrant taste of the marinade and the irresistible smoky notes from the char.
Unveiling Achiote: The Heart of the Flavor
The secret star ingredient in this spectacular dish is achiote paste. This versatile condiment, renowned for its distinct flavor and brilliant reddish-orange hue, is surprisingly easy to find in most well-stocked grocery stores or online ethnic markets. While readily available in its prepared form (which we highly recommend for convenience), those who enjoy a hands-on approach can also find numerous recipes to create achiote paste from scratch, allowing for personalized variations in spice and texture.
Achiote paste is derived from the seeds of the annatto tree (Bixa orellana), a plant native to tropical regions of the Americas. For centuries, these seeds have been a staple in cuisines across Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and even parts of Southeast Asia, cherished for both their culinary properties and their natural coloring capabilities. The flavor profile of achiote paste is complex and utterly unique. It offers a fascinating blend of sweet, subtly sour, earthy, and mildly bitter notes, accompanied by a peppery undertone rather than intense heat. This intricate flavor matrix, combined with its striking color, makes achiote an indispensable ingredient for adding authenticity and depth to a wide array of dishes, from stews and marinades to rice and tamales. Its ability to impart such a distinctive character makes it a true culinary gem.
The Harmonious Flavors of Citrus Achiote Chicken Skewers
The flavor profile of these Citrus Achiote Chicken Skewers is a masterclass in balance and depth. The robust, earthy notes of achiote paste find their perfect counterpoint in the bright, zesty character of fresh citrus. We use a trifecta of citrus fruits – lemons, blood oranges (or regular oranges), and grapefruit – each contributing its own unique acidity and aroma. Lemons provide a sharp, clean tang, while blood oranges offer a touch of sweetness and a beautiful blush. Grapefruit adds a distinctive bittersweet note, elevating the overall complexity of the marinade.
Beyond the core achiote and citrus, several other ingredients play crucial supporting roles. Fresh ginger introduces a warm, piquant kick, while minced garlic provides its undeniable aromatic foundation. To awaken the palate with just a hint of heat without overpowering the delicate balance, a touch of chile paste, such as Sambal Oelek, is incorporated. This carefully constructed marinade transforms ordinary chicken into a succulent, flavorful centerpiece. To further enhance the experience, a creamy, refreshing sauce is served alongside, offering a lively contrast that complements the rich, grilled chicken beautifully, adding another layer of texture and taste.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Your Chicken Skewers
Choosing the right side dish can elevate a meal from good to extraordinary. For these Citrus Achiote Chicken Skewers, we’ve crafted a recipe for what we affectionately call “Three Pepper Rice,” a side that perfectly complements the vibrant flavors of the chicken. This simple yet incredibly flavorful rice dish is prepared by cooking aromatic Basmati rice in savory chicken stock, allowing the rice to absorb all the wonderful nuances. The “three peppers” come from a thoughtful combination of finely diced red bell pepper for sweetness and color, jalapeño pepper for a gentle, fresh heat, and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper for a classic spicy kick. Rice, being inherently absorbent, beautifully soaks up these flavors, creating a fragrant and satisfying accompaniment.
Beyond our suggested Three Pepper Rice, these versatile skewers lend themselves wonderfully to a variety of accompaniments. For a lighter, fresher meal, consider serving them with mixed vegetable skewers grilled alongside the chicken, or a crisp, green salad with a light vinaigrette. If you’re leaning towards a more interactive, fajita-style experience, warm tortillas are an excellent choice, allowing your guests to build their own delicious wraps with the flavorful chicken and perhaps some fresh salsa and guacamole. The possibilities are truly endless, ensuring these skewers can be adapted to any preference or occasion.
We truly hope you savor every bite of this Citrus Achiote Chicken Skewers recipe! It’s a dish born from a passion for bold flavors and enjoyable cooking. If you decide to bring this recipe to your kitchen, we would absolutely love to hear about your experience. Please feel free to leave us a comment below and share your thoughts. Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @cooking_with_wine so we can see your fantastic creations!
Searching for more delectable recipes to inspire your cooking? Explore some of our other popular dishes:
- Spicy Ginger Garlic Shrimp Skewers
- Crunchy Chicken with White Wine Lemon Butter Sauce
- Yellowtail with Lemon Caper Cream Sauce and Spinach Orzo
- Grapefruit Herb Chicken with Supreme Sauce
📖 Recipe: Citrus Achiote Chicken Skewers with Three Pepper Rice
Citrus Achiote Chicken Skewers with Three Pepper Rice
Pin Recipe
30 minutes
20 minutes
50 minutes
Main
Mexican
4
servings
529
kcal
Ingredients
For the Marinade
-
½
cup
grapeseed or canola oil (or other neutral veg oil) -
2
lemons, juiced -
2
blood oranges (or oranges), juiced -
1
large grapefruit, juiced -
3.5
oz
prepared Achiote paste -
2
tablespoon
Sambal or other fresh, spicy chile paste -
1
tablespoon
kosher salt -
1
teaspoon
black pepper -
1
tablespoon
finely minced garlic -
1
tablespoon
finely minced shallot -
1
tablespoon
finely minced or grated ginger -
4
boneless, skinless chicken breasts
For the Rice
-
12
oz
Chicken stock -
1
small
jalapeño, small diced -
¼
cup
red bell pepper, small diced -
¼
teaspoon
kosher salt -
¼
teaspoon
black pepper -
1
tablespoon
unsalted butter -
1
cup
Basmati Rice*
For the Sauce
-
5
oz.
Crème Fraiche -
2
tablespoon
heavy cream -
2
teaspoon
grapefruit zest -
2
tablespoon
grapefruit juice -
½
teaspoon
kosher salt -
¼
teaspoon
white pepper -
½
teaspoon
sugar -
1
teaspoon
thyme leaves
Instructions
- Combine all marinade ingredients thoroughly in a bowl. Cut the chicken into uniform bite-sized chunks (approximately 1.5″ x 1.5″) and add them to the marinade. Ensure the achiote paste is fully mixed and coats all chicken pieces evenly. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 6 hours to allow flavors to develop. Once marinated, remove the chicken from the liquid and thread onto grilling skewers.
- Prepare the creamy sauce by combining all its ingredients until smooth. For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour, or up to several hours, before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Begin cooking the Three Pepper Rice. In a large saucepan, add chicken stock, diced jalapeño, red bell pepper, kosher salt, black pepper, and unsalted butter. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Immediately stir in the Basmati rice, return to a boil, then cover the saucepan and reduce the heat to a low simmer. Cook for approximately 18-20 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender and fluffy.
- While the rice cooks, preheat your grill to a medium-high temperature. Grill the marinated chicken skewers, turning them frequently, until they develop a desirable char on all sides and are cooked through. Depending on your grill’s heat, this typically takes 9-11 minutes. Always ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). (Don’t hesitate to test a piece as you cook!)
- Serve the succulent Citrus Achiote Chicken Skewers immediately with the fragrant Three Pepper Rice and a generous dollop of the creamy dipping sauce.
Notes
The total amount of citrus juices (lemon, blood orange, grapefruit) should ideally yield about 1.25 cups for the marinade.
Nutrition
Calories:
529
kcal
Carbohydrates:
62
g
Protein:
32
g
Fat:
17
g
Saturated Fat:
8
g
Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat:
5
g
Trans Fat:
0.1
g
Cholesterol:
112
mg
Sodium:
713
mg
Potassium:
923
mg
Fiber:
1
g
Sugar:
17
g
Vitamin A:
935
IU
Vitamin C:
62
mg
Calcium:
82
mg
Iron:
2
mg
achiote, Chicken, citrus season, skewers, grilled chicken, Mexican chicken
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