Key Lime Grilled Chicken Taco Skewers are a quick, flavorful, low‑carb and gluten‑free meal. Serve them in tortillas for tacos, over rice, or on a fresh salad.
When a friend dropped off a generous bag of key limes from her tree, I wanted to use their bright, tangy flavor in something other than dessert. After thinking about favorite grilled recipes, I adapted a popular lime‑chicken skewer idea and paired freshly squeezed key lime juice with a savory taco seasoning. The result is juicy, citrusy chicken threaded on skewers with wedges of key lime for extra aroma and grill‑kissed flavor.
Ingredient you’ll need
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – cut into bite‑sized cubes
- Key limes – some juiced to marinate the chicken and others quartered to thread on the skewers
- Taco seasoning – use a homemade blend or a packaged mix; the seasoning adds depth and complements the lime
This recipe is intentionally simple: a quick lime marinade, a toss in taco seasoning, then threaded onto skewers alongside wedges of key lime and grilled until just cooked through. It’s an easy weeknight dinner or a great option for entertaining—everyone loves food on sticks.
Step by step instructions
1. Place the cubed chicken in a medium bowl and squeeze the juice from 4 key limes over the chicken.
2. Add about 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning and toss to coat the chicken evenly. Let it sit briefly to absorb the flavors—10 minutes is enough if you’re short on time, or refrigerate up to an hour for more flavor.
3. Thread the seasoned chicken onto skewers, alternating with quartered key limes. The lime pieces add flavor as they cook and make for an attractive presentation.
4. Grill the skewers over medium heat—either on an indoor grill pan or an outdoor grill—for about 10–12 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred on the edges.
5. Serve the skewers as a low‑carb main dish, remove the chicken from the skewers and fill warm tortillas to make tacos, or slice the grilled chicken over a bed of greens for a bright, citrusy salad.
This recipe delivers a great mix of tang and smoky char in under 30 minutes, making it a reliable crowd‑pleaser any night of the week.
More skewer recipes
If you enjoy meals on a stick, try other grilled skewer ideas such as steak skewers with balsamic herb marinade, tomato basil chicken skewers, ribeye kabobs, grilled vegetable skewers, Thai chicken satay, or chimichurri shrimp skewers. Skewers are versatile, easy to portion, and perfect for sharing.
Recipe
Key Lime Grilled Chicken Taco Skewers
Servings: 6 skewers
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Author: Whitney Bond
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, sliced into cubes
- 10 key limes — juice from 4 limes, and 6 limes sliced into quarters for skewering
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning (homemade or store‑bought)
Instructions
- Place the cubed chicken in a bowl and squeeze the juice from 4 key limes over it.
- Add the taco seasoning and toss to coat the chicken evenly. Allow to marinate briefly if possible.
- Thread chicken pieces onto skewers, alternating with quartered key limes.
- Grill over medium heat for 10–12 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve as skewers or remove chicken and assemble tacos, rice bowls, or salads.
Nutrition Facts (per skewer)
- Calories: 96 kcal (5%)
- Carbohydrates: 3 g (1%)
- Protein: 16 g (32%)
- Fat: 2 g (3%)
- Cholesterol: 48 mg (16%)
- Sodium: 159 mg (7%)
- Potassium: 310 mg (9%)
- Fiber: 1 g (4%)
- Vitamin A: 120 mg (2%)
- Vitamin C: 10.1 mg (12%)
- Calcium: 14 mg (1%)
- Iron: 0.5 mg (3%)
Tips, Variations & Storage
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken up to 1 hour in the refrigerator. Acid from the lime will begin to “cook” the chicken if left too long, so avoid overnight marinating.
- If you don’t have key limes, regular limes will work well—key limes are simply more aromatic and slightly sweeter.
- To prevent skewers from burning, soak wooden skewers in water for 20–30 minutes before grilling, or use metal skewers.
- Make it a meal: serve with warm tortillas, fresh pico de gallo, sliced avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of additional lime.
- Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to avoid drying out the meat.
Quick, bright, and simple to prepare, these Key Lime Grilled Chicken Taco Skewers are a flavorful option for weeknights, backyard barbecues, or anytime you want a light but satisfying grilled meal.