Grilled Chicken Skewers with Chayote, Red Onion, and Cascabel Chile Orange Pepita Marinade

Name: Grilled Chicken Skewers with Chayote, Red Onion, and Cascabel Chile Orange Pepita Marinade
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 48 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Fusión mexicana
Ingredients: 21 oz boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed; 10.5 oz chayote squash; 7 oz red onion; 1/2 cup fresh orange juice; 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds; 3 tbsp olive oil; 0.4 oz dried cascabel chile; 4 cloves garlic; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 1 1/4 tsp fine salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp honey; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro; 1 medium orange; 8 skewers wooden skewers

Original grilled chicken skewers marinated with cascabel chile, orange juice, garlic, and ground pepitas, threaded with chayote and red onion for a juicy, lightly smoky cookout dish with a subtle toasted seed crunch.

30 minPrep

18 minCook

48 minTotal

4Servings

Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

600 g boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed (1.25 inch)
300 g chayote squash (cut en medias lunas gruesas)
200 g red onion (cut en cuadros large)
120 ml fresh orange juice (freshly squeezed)
35 g toasted pumpkin seeds (finely ground)
45 ml olive oil (divided)
12 g dried cascabel chile (without semillas)
12 g garlic (chopped)
2 g ground cumin
1 g dried oregano
8 g fine salt (divided)
2 g black pepper
15 ml honey
15 ml apple cider vinegar
15 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
120 g orange (zest fina solamente)
8 pzas wooden skewers (remojados 20 minutos si son of madera)

Nutrition facts

per serving

336 kcal

Calories

38 g

Protein

13 g

Carbs

14 g

Fat

2.4 g

Fiber

10.6 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

No declared allergens

Instructions

1
1. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes while you prepare the marinade.
2
2. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Toast the dried cascabel chile for 30 to 45 seconds per side until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Transfer to a bowl and cover with hot water for 10 minutes to soften; drain well.
3
3. In a blender or food processor, combine the softened cascabel chile, orange juice, ground toasted pumpkin seeds, 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil, garlic, cumin, oregano, 6 g (about 1 tsp) salt, black pepper, honey, apple cider vinegar, and orange zest. Blend until you have a thick, smooth marinade.
4
4. Place the chicken in a large bowl and toss with the marinade. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes in a cool spot or refrigerated.
5
5. In another bowl, toss the chayote and red onion with the remaining 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil, the remaining 2 g (about 1/4 tsp) salt, and half of the chopped cilantro.
6
6. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 425°F to 450°F (220°C to 230°C). Clean and lightly oil the grates.
7
7. Build the skewers by alternating marinated chicken, chayote, and red onion until all ingredients are used. Discard any leftover marinade that touched raw chicken.
8
8. Grill the skewers for 16 to 18 minutes total at 425°F to 450°F (220°C to 230°C), turning every 4 to 5 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and nicely marked. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
9
9. Transfer the skewers to a platter and sprinkle with the remaining fresh cilantro. Let rest for 3 minutes before serving to keep the juices inside.
10
10. Serve the skewers hot, highlighting the citrusy orange marinade and the toasted depth of the pumpkin seeds.

Chef tips

To help the chayote cook at the same rate as the chicken, cut it into pieces that are not too thick. For a smokier flavor, add a small extra pinch of cascabel chile to the marinade.

Substitutions

You can swap the chicken breast for boneless chicken thighs. If you do not have pumpkin seeds, use toasted sunflower seeds for a different profile. Chayote can be replaced with zucchini, though the result will be less crisp.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
Ninja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
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TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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Illustrative image
T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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