5 from 39 votes
Coconut Lime Grilled Chicken Skewers
Coconut Lime Grilled Chicken Skewers combine chicken pieces marinated in a mix of tamari soy sauce, coconut milk, lime juice, maple syrup, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. The marinade imparts a balance of savory, tangy, and subtly sweet notes with a hint of coconut creaminess. Grilled over medium-high heat on skewers until cooked through, the chicken develops a golden exterior with juicy, flavorful meat inside. This recipe can also be adapted for air-fryer cooking.
Prep Time
2 hrs 5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
8
skewers
Calories:
189 kcal
Course:
Main Course, Appetizer, Dinner
Cuisine:
Asian, American
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs or breasts cut into bite size cubes, skinless
- ½ cup tamari soy sauce or regular if not gluten free
- ¼ cup coconut milk
- 3 Tablespoons lime juice
- 3 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger minced
Instructions
- Mix together tamari soy sauce, coconut milk, lime juice, maple syrup, sesame oil, garlic and ginger in a mixing bowl.
- Add chicken and let marinate for at least 2 hours (up to overnight).
- Soak bamboo skewers for 30 minutes.
- Thread chicken onto skewers.
- Oil the grill grates, then preheat the grill (or griddle pan) to medium-high (direct heat).
- Grill chicken for 10-15 minutes, turning them a couple of times, and brushing on more marinade until golden and cooked through. Make sure to use your meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C.
- You can reduce the remaining marinade in a saucepan over low heat until it thickens, and brush it over the cooked chicken for extra flavor.
Cup of Yum
Make in the Air Fryer
- Make the skewers like you did in the instructions above using steps 1-4.
- Preheat Air Fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes, making sure to turn once halfway through.
Notes
- For lower calories, substitute half-fat coconut milk without compromising much on flavor.
- Marinate the chicken longer to deepen flavor absorption, up to overnight for best results.
- Although marinade flavors are intense before cooking, they mellow during grilling to a balanced taste.
- Cut chicken into evenly sized cubes to ensure uniform grilling and thorough cooking.
- Oil grill grates before heating to prevent chicken from sticking, taking care to avoid burns.
- Brush the skewers constantly with marinade while grilling to enhance the coconut and lime flavors.
- Metal skewers are a good alternative to bamboo as they conduct heat well and speed cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
Nutrition Information
Calories
189kcal
(9%)
Carbohydrates
7g
(2%)
Protein
24g
(48%)
Fat
7g
(11%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
108mg
(36%)
Sodium
913mg
(38%)
Potassium
348mg
(7%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
27IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
23mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 skewers
Amount Per Serving
Calories 189
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 189kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 7g | 2% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 108mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 913mg | 38% |
| Potassium | 348mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 27IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 23mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.