We featured these Chili-Lime Mango Chicken Skewers recipe years ago at one of our first live cooking demos at Macy’s, in Utah! These sweet and spicy skewers feature tender chicken and sweet juicy mango all grilled up with a sweet and tangy fresh lime marinade. We love it with lime-cilantro rice or sweet and savory coconut rice. While we do prefer the smokiness from a traditional outdoor grill, feel free to use an indoor grill pan, or pop them under a broiler if you need to. TIP: Look for large mangos so there is enough fruit to cut a big enough chunk for the grill, and opt for ripe but slightly firm fruit so it will hold up in the heat. I also suggest buying an extra mango or 2 because sometimes there’s a learning curve to cutting it effectively.
Prep your Mango
If you’ve never cut a fresh mango, there’s a little bit of a learning curve, but it’s not hard! Click here for a little tutorial. My best tip is to look for LARGE mangos because you’ll need larger chunks. The little yellow varieties simply don’t have enough flesh on them to get large enough pieces. Look for the red/green ones as pictured here. Also use them before they get too soft. A ripe, but slighty firmer mango will hold up better on the grill.
Marinate your Chicken in Chili-Lime Marindade
The chicken chunks (and the mango) get a little dip in a sweet and savor mix of fresh lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, and a touch of sugar (don’t leave that part out, it helps caramelize the mango!)
Thread your Skewers
Thread everything onto skewers, while being careful to not overcrowd things. Your chicken chunks should be the same size, or slightly smaller than your mango to help facilitate everything cooking at the same time.
Grill your Chili-Lime Mango Chicken Skewers
Pop them on the grill, turning once or twice until done. We love these with one of our sweet and savory rice combos: Coconut Rice, or Lime-Cilantro Rice with pineapple.
Chili-lime Mango Chicken Skewers
- Total Time: 30 + marinating
- Yield: serves 4
Description
A perfect combo of sweet mango and tender chicken grilled with fresh flavors! Try it with a side of coconut rice or our sweet and savory pineapple lime-cilantro rice.
Ingredients
6 tablespoons olive oil
Zest of 1 lime
¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2–3 large limes)
1 teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (double that if you like spicy things!)
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 Tablespoon sugar
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch cubes
3–4 ripe but firm *large* mangoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
Instructions
If you’re using wooden/bamboo skewers, make sure to soak them in water for 20-30 minutes before you use them.
In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, cayenne, salt and sugar. Place in a bowl, or zip-top bag and add the chicken and mangoes, stirring gently to coat with marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours. Prepare grill (or indoor grill pan) to medium heat.
Remove the chicken and mangoes from the marinade and thread onto skewers, alternating the pieces and dividing them evenly.
*When you’re making any type of skewer, make sure not to smash everything together tightly. In order for the food to cook thoroughly and evenly, it needs a little room! The pieces threaded on should just barely touch each other.
Arrange the skewers on the grill and cook, turning until the chicken is nicely charred and cooked through, 6-10 minutes. Serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Questions & Reviews
Um, yes please. Cant wait to make it! I hope the marinade turns out without sugar added.
Do you have a suggestion for this dish in the early Spring?
Sorry, I mean, what would you serve as a side?
Here in TX we eat mangoes sliced with lime juice, chili powder sprinkled on it. So I can just imagine how this chicken must taste, delcious!
We made these last night except w/o skewers, added shrimp to the chicken & mango, cooked on griddle & served over rice w/mexicorn. Quite yummy! Will definitely make these again, especially when the Oregon rain finally stops this summer & we can grill them. 🙂
Don;t know you but I am also a FOODIE! Found your site from a friend….delicious. Can't wait to try the chipotle beef taquitos! YUM…
This was FANTASTIC.
I marinated red & yellow peppers, onions, and baby potatoes (pre-bolied) and grilled veggie kabobs to go with these. SUPER tasty. Thanks!
Made these tonight – amazing!
This sounds wonderful!
That looks really good! Adding the mango to the skewer is a great idea!
I have been planning all week to make these tonight-I just found out our grill is out of propane! Please tell me I can put these in the oven and not screw them up too badly?! What temp? How long? Help!
mckayharris(at)yahoo(dot)com
We tried the chili-lime sauce last weekend with bbq-ed chicken thighs and shrimp. It was delish! Thanks for all the great recipes. We’re in Okinawa, Japan, so in case you didn’t know yet, you’re international! Happy Birthday Eric, you have great ideas!
We tried the chili-lime sauce last weekend with bbq-ed chicken thighs and shrimp. It was delish! Thanks for all the great recipes. We’re in Okinawa, Japan, so in case you didn’t know yet, you’re international! Happy Birthday Eric, you have great ideas!
Who wouldn’t want to be married to Sara?!!?? I would. Parabens e muitas felicidades! Thanks for sharing Sara
(and her amazing food) with the rest of us!
I’m off to buy some mangoes!
MMmmmmmmm. . .
Happy Birthday Eric!! You are incredibly lucky to be able to try all this first hand, you are one well fed hubby!
Happy birthday, Eric!! I hope Sara made you something delicious and that you had a fabulous birthday!
Happy Birthday Mr. Behind the Scenes Man!
Oh and im really excited about the skewers. ill have to try them tonight. looking ooh so good. 🙂 thanks
Happy Birthday you old man!! How does it feel to be 28?. . . I guess I’ll know in a few days huh?!
Hey Eric–on behalf of Jared and myself and the 4 Houghlings–Happy Birthday, Man! We just got in at 2:30 this morning from a 2 week vacation in Alaska. We brought back 100 lbs of halibut. Do you guys have any recipes for halibut? We're going to need a few 🙂 Love, Jenn & Jared
Happy Birthday, Eric! You are one lucky man.
I love all things mango, so these are definitely on the must-try list.
Happy Birthday Eric.
We will definitely be trying these!
These *are* good!
And Happy Birthday Eric!
Happy Birthday! I read about this blog and have really been enjoying it the last few days. Thanks for the great ideas and instruction.
I have not tried the recipe, but it looks great and I can not wait to try it. I do not know you and I do not know your husband, but I want to wish him a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thank you for supporting your wife, we love what she does.
Sara, you definately have the talent, I would love to move in with your family 🙂
thanks dearest:)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC!!! I hope it is filled with quiet happy children and good food!!
This sounds seriously good! Chili, lime and mango on a stick with some chicken, mmm mmm good!
Happy Birthday Eric! Keep Sara churning out the goods!
And I love how Eric always leaves such funny comments. Maybe he should start a blog of his own…I would read it. Happy Birthday Eric!
This recipe really does look scrumptious (funny word, but very descriptive)!
Happy Birthday Sara’s hubby! Keep the great idea’s coming! 🙂
Sara- this looks delicious, as always!
Happy Birthday to the man who makes it all possible………….I am going to make this tonight…can’t wait to taste it.