Grilled Mango Chipotle Chicken Skewers
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Today’s Grilled Mango Chipotle Chicken Skewers are packed with smoky spice and sweet caramelized flavor. Perfect for grilling season or a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe can also be baked in the oven or prepared in the air-fryer if your BBQ gets rained out. No matter how they’re prepared, you’re guaranteed juicy, succulent chicken with unbelievable flavor complemented by burst juicy mango sweetness.
Grilled Mango Chicken Kebabs Recipe
One of the best things about being a “professional blogger” for the past 14 years is that I’ve been able to meet and become friends with other bloggers from all over the world.
I first met my friend Kylee on a sponsored trip to Disneyland, and ever since, she’s been stuck with me! She has a wicked sense of humor (naturally, she’s a Kiwi), a heart of gold, amazing hair and is what I affectionately refer to as a “shoot, shovel and shut up” friend. She’s been there for the bad times, but she’s also the first to celebrate the good times – she actually sent me the last $20 I needed for my goal to pay off my mortgage.
And as a bonus of being her friend (that the rest of the world also gets to benefit from) is that she’s a phenomenal recipe developer – and her Spicy & Sweet Diablo Chicken recipe is the inspiration for today’s Mango Chipotle Chicken Kebabs. We’ve made the recipe so many times, that we have it practically memorized and have since started adding our own twists.
Today’s Grilled Mango Chipotle Chicken Skewers are packed with smoky spice and sweet caramelized flavor. The juicy chicken has charred, caramelized edges after grilling over high heat that emphasizes the tangy, sweet, smoky and spicy flavors of the marinade, while the juicy bursts of mango chunks add a natural sweetness that contrasts the spice.
For more rockstar recipes from Kylee Cooks, check out:
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Mango chipotle chicken skewers combine juicy grilled chicken, smoky chipotle heat and sweet caramelized mango for a quick and flavorful dinner. Perfect for summer grilling or easy weeknight meals, this recipe delivers bold flavor with simple ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Grilled Chicken Skewers Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Grilled Chicken Skewers Recipe- Bold sweet and smoky flavor that stands out from standard grilled chicken.
- Quick cook time with minimal prep, ideal for busy weeknights or entertaining.
- Flexible for grilling, baking or meal prep with easy ingredient swaps.
Snackable History Fact: Chipotle peppers, made from smoked and dried jalapeños, are a cornerstone of Mexican cooking and prized for their deep, smoky heat. Pairing fruit with chile has long roots in Mexican cuisine (until at least 400 BC), where sweetness is used to balance spice in salsas, marinades and street snacks like Mexican Street Corn.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, marinate the chicken up to 2 days in advance. Assemble skewers just before cooking to keep the mango fresh.
Yes, bake at 425°F on a lined sheet pan for 18 to 22 minutes, turning once. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes at the end for light charring.
Moderately spicy, depending on the chipotle sauce. Adjust by reducing (or increasing) the amount or balancing with extra honey.
Yes, but thaw and pat dry first. Excess moisture can prevent proper caramelization.
Soak for at least 20 minutes to prevent burning during cooking; if you don’t, they can catch fire and impart a burnt flavor to the food, as well as breaking off and causing splinters in the food. Alternatively, you can use steel skewers for a reusable alternative.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F, then arrange the chicken and mango skewers in the basket without overcrowding, making sure they don’t touch the sides. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through (165°F) and lightly charred on the edges. Let rest for 2–3 minutes before serving.
Chicken skewers take 10-15 minutes on the grill over medium-high heat (about 375-400°F).
Cook for 10-12 minutes by turning every 2-3 minutes so all sides cook evenly, until the chicken is golden with slight char marks and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Larger 2-inch cubes may take up to 15 minutes, so use a meat thermometer to confirm they’re done.
Mango Chipotle Chicken Kebabs Ingredients
Mango Chipotle Chicken Kebabs Ingredients- Chicken Breasts, about 2lbs, chopped into 2″ cubes
- Honey
- Ketchup, or more to taste
- Chipotle Hot Sauce, or to taste
- Sour Cream
- Paprika
- Ground Cumin
- Mango, cubed
- Oil, as needed for the grill
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Tip: check out our variations and recipe tips below.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Kebab Skewers (metal skewers are reusable and don’t require soaking)
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Mixing Bowl
- Spoon or Spatula
- Grill or Grill Pan
How to Make Mango Chipotle Chicken Skewers
How to Make Mango Chipotle Chicken SkewersIn a large bowl, stir together the honey, ketchup, chipotle sauce, sour cream, paprika and cumin until smooth.
Reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade to use later for brushing the kebabs on the grill. Set aside.
Add the chicken cubes to the bowl of marinade and toss until fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
20 minutes before ready to prepare, if using wooden skewers, soak in water.
Thread chicken and mango pieces alternately onto skewers.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F.
Lightly oil the grill grates. Place skewers on the grill.
Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every few minutes, until chicken is cooked through to 165F and lightly charred. Brush the chicken with the extra marinade in the last few minutes of cooking to keep it super juicy.
Remove from grill and rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
Grilled Chipotle Chicken Skewers Recipe Variations:
- Swap chicken for shrimp for a faster-cooking skewer with a lighter texture and more pronounced sweetness from the mango.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangier marinade with slightly more structure and less fat.
- Add red onion or bell pepper between the chicken and mango for extra char and a savory counterpoint.
- Finish with fresh lime juice for a brighter, fresher profile.
- Turn it into a bowl by serving over coconut rice with avocado and a drizzle of extra sauce.
- Swap the mango for sliced peaches or pineapple, based on what’s available or your personal preferences.
Tips for the Perfect Grilled Chicken Skewers
- Cut chicken evenly into 2-inch cubes so everything cooks at the same rate and stays juicy.
- Choose ripe but firm mango. Overripe mango will fall apart on the skewers and burn quickly.
- Use a chipotle hot sauce with visible pepper content for better depth of flavor, not just heat. (We used this chipotle hot sauce.)
- Let the marinated chicken sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before grilling to ensure even cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the skewers. Leaving small gaps helps heat circulate and promotes browning.
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Printable Recipe Card:
Printable Recipe Card:Grab your free printable recipe card for our Grilled Mango Chipotle Chicken Skewers recipe.
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Grilled Mango Chipotle Chicken Kebabs
Grilled Mango Chipotle Chicken Skewers are packed with smoky spice and sweet caramelized flavor. The juicy chicken has charred, caramelized edges after grilling over high heat that emphasizes the tangy, sweet, smoky and spicy flavors of the marinade, while the juicy bursts of mango chunks add a natural sweetness that contrasts the spice.
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Breasts, about 2lbs, chopped into 2" cubes
- 2-4 Tablespoons Honey
- 1/4 cup Ketchup, or more to taste
- 1/4 cup Chipotle Hot Sauce, or to taste
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 2 teaspoons Paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 2 cups Mango, cubed
- Oil, as needed for the grill
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the honey, ketchup, chipotle sauce, sour cream, paprika and cumin until smooth.
- Reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade to use later for brushing the kebabs on the grill. Set aside.
- Add the chicken cubes to the bowl of marinade and toss until fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
- 20 minutes before ready to prepare, if using wooden skewers, soak in water.
- Thread chicken and mango pieces alternately onto skewers.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F.
- Lightly oil the grill grates. Place skewers on the grill.
- Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every few minutes, until chicken is cooked through to 165F and lightly charred. Brush the chicken with the extra marinade in the last few minutes of cooking to keep it super juicy.
- Remove from grill and rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
How to cook these chipotle chicken kebabs in the air-fryer?
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F, then arrange the chicken and mango skewers in the basket without overcrowding, making sure they don't touch the sides. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through (165°F) and lightly charred on the edges. Let rest for 2–3 minutes before serving.
Can I bake instead of grill?
Yes, bake at 425°F on a lined sheet pan for 18 to 22 minutes, turning once. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes at the end for light charring.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 172Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 266mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 16g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
For more ways to enjoy chicken, check out our full chicken recipe collection here:
