These Spicy Chipotle Chicken Skewers are smoky and packed with bold flavor from an easy chipotle mayo marinade. Grilled until perfectly caramelized and slightly charred, and perfect for family weeknight meals or weekend barbecues!

If you love tender and crispy chicken recipes, try ourGrilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighsor Chicken Spiedini!

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Why This Recipe

The all-time best way to get crispy caramelized chicken is to marinate it in mayonnaise. These tender chicken skewers are perfectly caramelized because mayo is the perfect combo of sugar and fat to caramelize on the grill.

I like to add butter to the basting, like I do with my Garlic Parm Chicken Skewers. It adds to the tenderness of the chicken when you're grilling and makes it easier to remove the chicken from the grill.

Chicken thighs are much more tender and moist than breasts, making them the perfect meat to grill over direct heat.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Boneless Chicken Thighs. Chicken thighs are perfect for skewers because of their fat content. They caramelize to a perfect crisp tenderness. You could substitute chicken breast, but it will be slightly drier.
Seasoning. I use chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You could add more garlic with garlic powder or cayenne to spice it up.
Chipotle mayo. I use the same chipotle mayo recipe as my Volcano Shrimp Tacos. It's perfect to marinate these chicken thighs and as a sauce on its own. The mayo provides fat and sugar for caramelization.
Butter. Basting with butter and mayo while cooking gives you the tender and crispy perfection that you recognize in good street-food style skewers.

*Please see the recipe card below for more information on ingredients.

How to Make Spicy Chipotle Chicken Skewers

Chipotle mayo ingredients combined in a mixing cup.

Step 1: Combine mayo, garlic, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and lime juice in a mixing cup or food processor.

Step 2: Use an immersion blender or food processor to blend the sauce together until it is smooth and creamy.

Chicken thighs tossed in olive oil and seasoning.

Step 3: Chop the boneless chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces. Place them in a large bowl with olive oil, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Chicken thighs marinated in chipotle mayo and seasoning.

Step 4: Add half the chipotle mayo to the bowl. Mix well and marinate for at least 1 hour.

Step 5: Preheat the grill to medium heat, 450 ℉. Place the chicken thighs onto the skewers.

Step 6: Melt the 3 tablespoon of butter in a pan or a small bowl in the microwave. Combine it with the remaining chipotle mayo. Place the skewers on the grill. Using a basting brush, brush the mayo and butter onto the chicken. Close the grill and cook for 4 minutes.

Step 7: Turn the skewers every 4 minutes, brushing with mayo each time. If they don't release, let them cook another minute on that side. Cook for a total of 15-16 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 ℉.

Step 8: Take the chicken and rest for 10 minutes. Serve with fresh lime wedges.

Pro-Tip:You'll notice the skewers are caramelized when the sauce looks sticky, and the chicken begins to char.

Serve Spicy Chipotle chicken skewers with a Grilled Shrimp Saladwith Cilantro Mango Vinaigrette. Or serve them with a Cowboy Caviar Salad or Italian Green Bean Salad and a spicy pasta like Cajun Shrimp Scampi.

Bang Bang Chicken skewers with limes on the side.

Cooking Variations for Spicy Chipotle Chicken Skewers

No grill? No problem. You can make these all winter long

In the oven: 425°F, 20-25 minutes
Airfryer: 400°F 15-20 minutes
Less Spicy: Use one chipotle pepper
In advance: Marinate chicken for up to 24 hours in advance.

Pro-Tips

Spice up the chipotle mayo by adding half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or an extra chipotle pepper.
Marinate the chicken for at least an hour, but overnight is best for the flavor to penetrate the chicken.
Grill the chicken thighs on one side and don't flip until they no longer stick.
Rest the chicken for 10 minutes before removing them from the skewers.