Al Pastor-Style Chicken Skewers (Print version)

Juicy chicken thigh skewers marinated with achiote, citrus, chipotle, and pineapple, then grilled until smoky and lightly charred.

# Ingredients:

For the marinade

01 - 3 tablespoons achiote paste
02 - 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
03 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) pineapple juice
04 - 1/4 cup (60 ml) orange juice
05 - 2 tablespoons lime juice
06 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
07 - 2 tablespoons neutral oil, plus more for the grill
08 - 4 cloves garlic, chopped
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
12 - 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the skewers

14 - 2 lb (900 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/4-inch pieces
15 - 2 cups (330 g) fresh or canned pineapple chunks, patted dry
16 - 1 small white onion, thinly sliced, for serving
17 - 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
18 - 8-12 warm corn tortillas, for serving
19 - Lime wedges, for serving

# Instructions:

01 - Add the achiote paste, chipotles, adobo sauce, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, vinegar, oil, garlic, cumin, oregano, coriander, salt, and pepper to a blender. Blend until smooth.
02 - Place the chicken in a bowl or zip-top bag. Add the marinade and toss well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes or up to 12 hours.
03 - Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes. Lightly oil the grates.
04 - Alternate marinated chicken pieces and pineapple chunks on skewers, leaving a little space between pieces so they cook evenly.
05 - Grill for 10-14 minutes, turning every 2 minutes, until charred in spots and the chicken reaches 165°F in the thickest pieces.
06 - Rest the skewers for 5 minutes. Serve with white onion, cilantro, warm corn tortillas, lime wedges, and any juices from the platter.

# Good to know:

01 - Marinate at least 45 minutes for good flavor.
02 - Use chicken thighs for the juiciest grilled skewers.
03 - Cook chicken to 165°F for food safety.

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