Hello, summer! I can’t believe it’s already June. Not only do we celebrate the first official day of summer this month, but also our dads! We always enjoy a barbecue by the pool on Father’s Day, and I wanted to share an easy-to-make recipe that everyone can make and spoil their father with or just to commemorate the first day of summer! Whether you’re looking to make these skewers as a main dish (I have on multiple occasions) or maybe even as an appetizer – these chicken skewers are perfect!
I love skewering just about anything I can throw on the grill. Not sure what it is, but I love it, and I love to grill. Like, every day, I grill dinner (or just about) during the summer months. I traditionally only make basil pesto, but I never thought to use cilantro in pesto. The cilantro and lime are bright and full of flavor. In a way, the pesto is similar to a chimichurri sauce.
Not only can we make our dad’s stomach happy…let’s talk about what you should get him. A car wash pass to our new neighborhood car wash: Top Dawg Express Car Wash & Detail! I’m officially hooked on the monthly car wash pass. It’s my new go-to gift for everyone I know! I mean, who doesn’t love to have a clean car? For $20, you can go every single day of the month if you would like. I try to go every few days and spend a few minutes once a week vacuuming out my car. So, if you’re looking to give your dad something this Father’s Day, this might be exactly what he is looking for! Make him my recipe for Grilled Chili Chicken Skewers with Cilantro Lime Pesto, enjoy some time poolside, and grab him a car wash pass!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4
Ingredients:
For the Grilled Chili Chicken Skewers:
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken strips
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Cilantro Lime Pesto:
- 2 cups cilantro
- 1 cup parsley
- 1/4 cup honey-roasted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 small garlic cloves
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
For the Grilled Chili Chicken Skewers:
- Preheat grill to medium heat.
- In a bowl, mix together brown sugar, chili powder, salt and pepper. Rinse and pat dry chicken. Skewer chicken, drizzle olive oil over the chicken and sprinkle rub over chicken. Massage the rub into the chicken.
- Place chicken skewers on grill. Cook 10 minutes (flipping once) on medium-low flame until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Once done cooking, remove from heat and set to the side.
For the Cilantro Lime Pesto:
- While the chicken is cooking, place the cilantro, parsley, honey-roasted peanuts, lime juice, garlic cloves, olive oil, salt and pepper in a food processor. Purée for 20-30 seconds until all the ingredients are well incorporated and broken down. Refrigerate the Cilantro Lime Pesto until ready to serve.
- Serve Cilantro Lime Pesto on top of the Grilled Chili Chicken Skewers.
Notes:
*Soak wooden skewers for 30 minutes or longer to avoid skewers from burning.
