Grilled Chicken Skewers with Caramelized Melon, Zucchini, and Chile-Lime Mint Marinade

Name: Grilled Chicken Skewers with Caramelized Melon, Zucchini, and Chile-Lime Mint Marinade
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 42 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Fusión mexicana contemporánea
Ingredients: 21 oz skinless chicken breast, cut into 1.25-inch cubes; 2 cups cantaloupe melon, cut into 1.25-inch cubes; 9 oz zucchini, cut into thick half-moons; 3 tbsp olive oil; 4 tbsp fresh lime juice; 2 tsp lime zest; 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped; 2 tbsp honey; 2 tsp dried chile de árbol, ground; 3 cloves garlic, finely minced; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp light brown sugar; 8 skewers wooden skewers, soaked

An original grilled recipe featuring juicy chicken cubes marinated with lime, mint, and chile de árbol, skewered with lightly caramelized melon and zucchini. The result is a fresh, spicy, smoky skewer perfect for a summer meal or a light grilled dinner.

30 minPrep

12 minCook

42 minTotal

4Servings

Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

600 g skinless chicken breast, cut into 1.25-inch cubes (for the brochetas)
300 g cantaloupe melon, cut into 1.25-inch cubes (ripe pero firme)
250 g zucchini, cut into thick half-moons (approx. 2 pieces medium)
45 ml olive oil (divided)
60 ml fresh lime juice (freshly squeezed)
4 g lime zest (solo the parte verde)
15 g fresh mint, chopped (packed lightly)
30 ml honey (for balancear the picante)
4 g dried chile de árbol, ground (ajustar to taste)
9 g garlic, finely minced (fresh)
2 g ground cumin (for profundidad)
8 g kosher salt (or to taste)
2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
12 g light brown sugar (for caramelizar the melón)
8 pieces wooden skewers, soaked (remojadas 20 minutos si son of madera)

Nutrition facts

per serving

279 kcal

Calories

33 g

Protein

13 g

Carbs

10 g

Fat

1.6 g

Fiber

11.4 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 before assembling. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 425 °F / 220 °C.
2
2. In a large bowl, combine 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chopped mint, honey, ground chile de árbol, garlic, cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper until well blended.
3
3. Add the chicken cubes to the marinade and toss to coat completely. Marinate for 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
4
4. In another bowl, toss the cantaloupe and zucchini with the remaining 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil and the brown sugar, mixing gently so the melon keeps its shape.
5
5. Thread each skewer with alternating pieces of marinated chicken, zucchini, and melon until all ingredients are used, leaving a little space between pieces so the heat circulates evenly.
6
6. Clean and lightly oil the grill grates. Place the skewers on the grill at 425 °F / 220 °C and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F / 74 °C.
7
7. During the last 2 minutes, move the skewers to a direct-heat zone to lightly caramelize the melon and char the zucchini without burning the mint in the marinade.
8
8. Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for 3 minutes before serving so the chicken juices can redistribute.
9
9. Serve the skewers hot, spooning any resting juices over the top to reinforce the lime, honey, and mint flavor.

Chef tips

To keep the melon from falling apart, choose a firm one and cut it into large cubes. For milder heat, reduce the chile de árbol by half. A properly heated grill helps sear the fruit quickly without releasing too much moisture.

Substitutions

You can substitute the chicken breast with boneless chicken thighs. Mint can be replaced with spearmint or a mix of mint and cilantro. If cantaloupe is unavailable, use firm honeydew melon. For a version without added sugar, omit the brown sugar and let the melon caramelize naturally.

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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Illustrative image
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
Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
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