Puerto Rican Chicken Skewers with Guava BBQ Sauce Recipe
These Puerto Rican Chicken Skewers are bursting with vibrant Caribbean flavors, marinated in a citrusy blend with traditional Goya Sazón and a zesty seasoning mix, then grilled to perfection. Paired with a unique, sweet-and-spicy Guava BBQ Sauce made from guava paste and a blend of tangy and spicy ingredients, this dish offers a tropical twist on classic BBQ skewers, perfect for summer cookouts or flavorful weeknight meals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (including 1 hour marinating; overnight preferred)
- Yield: 6 servings (2 skewers per serving) 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Skewers
- 12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 4 1/2 pounds)
- 1 lime, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 packets Goya Sazón (with achiote and culantro)
- 2 tablespoons seasoning blend (such as Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute or Goya Adobo)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 6 wooden skewer sticks, soaked in water
- Guava BBQ sauce (see below)
For the Guava BBQ Sauce
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha
- 1 tablespoon chili-garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 cup guava paste, cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a small bowl, combine freshly squeezed lime and orange juice with the Goya Sazón, seasoning blend, and kosher salt. Set this marinade aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Marinate the chicken: Cut each chicken thigh into 8 cubes. Place the chicken pieces into the marinade bowl as you cut, ensuring all pieces are coated. Massage the marinade into the chicken thoroughly. Cover and let it marinate in the refrigerator overnight, or for at least one hour if short on time.
- Soak the skewers: Place the wooden skewer sticks in water and soak for a minimum of 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Assemble the skewers: Thread 8 chicken cubes onto each soaked skewer, distributing evenly for consistent cooking.
- Grill the skewers: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the chicken skewers on the grill and cook for 15 minutes, turning occasionally. Lightly baste the skewers with the guava BBQ sauce and continue grilling for another 5 minutes. Apply another coat of BBQ sauce, allowing it to slightly char, enhancing the smoky and sweet flavor.
- Serve: Serve the chicken skewers hot, optionally with a slice of French bread on top for a traditional touch.
- Make the guava BBQ sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine ketchup, water, light brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, soy sauce, fish sauce, Sriracha, chili-garlic sauce, onion powder, minced garlic, and guava paste pieces. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until well combined and slightly thickened. Use this sauce to baste the chicken skewers during grilling and as a condiment for serving.
Notes
- Sazón with achiote and culantro is key for authentic Puerto Rican flavor and a vibrant color; it can usually be found in Latin grocery stores or larger supermarkets.
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- If you don’t have guava paste, mashed guava or guava jelly can be used but the flavor will be less intense.
- Marinating the chicken overnight yields the most flavorful and tender results but at least one hour of marinating is a good minimum.
- Adjust the amount of Sriracha and chili-garlic sauce in the BBQ sauce to suit your preferred heat level.
Keywords: Puerto Rican chicken skewers, guava BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, Caribbean cuisine, achiote seasoning, Sazón seasoning, tropical BBQ, summer grilling
