Jalapeno Peach Chicken Skewers are a flavorful and exciting dish that combines the sweetness of peaches with the spicy kick of jalapenos. Perfect for grilling, baking, or air frying, these skewers are a delightful option for summer barbecues, quick weeknight dinners, or as an appetizer for gatherings. The peach glaze adds a luscious touch to the tender chicken and grilled fruit, making it a refreshing yet savory treat.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon chili powder

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

For the Skewers:

• 4 yellow peaches, quartered and halved (32 pieces)

• 3 medium jalapeno peppers, halved, seeded, and cut into chunks

For the Peach Glaze:

• ½ cup peach preserves

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

• 1 teaspoon soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• ½ teaspoon garlic, minced

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

• ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, toss the chicken cubes with salt, pepper, chili powder, and olive oil. Let the chicken marinate for a few minutes.

2. Assemble the Skewers: Thread the chicken, peach, and jalapeno onto skewers in the following order: peach, chicken, jalapeno, chicken, jalapeno, chicken, peach. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

3. Cook the Skewers:

   • Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Brush the skewers with olive oil and arrange them in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 11-12 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

   • Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the skewers on the sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.

   • Grill: Grill over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes per side or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

4. Prepare the Glaze: While the skewers cook, combine peach preserves, olive oil, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan. Cook until the glaze is warmed through.

5. Brush with Glaze: Once the skewers are done, brush them generously with the peach glaze and serve warm.

Nutrients

This recipe’s exact nutritional information isn’t provided, but here’s an estimated breakdown (per skewer):

• Calories: 150-200 kcal

• Protein: 20g

• Fat: 8g

• Carbohydrates: 10-15g

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 8g

• Sodium: 500mg

The Chicken: Tender and Flavorful

The base of the skewers is tender, juicy chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes. To ensure the chicken is flavorful, it’s marinated with a simple combination of kosher salt, black pepper, chili powder, and olive oil. The chili powder adds a mild heat to complement the sweetness of the peaches, while the olive oil ensures the chicken stays moist and tender while cooking.

Letting the chicken marinate for just a few minutes allows the seasonings to infuse the meat, making every bite savory and satisfying. The chicken cubes are threaded onto the skewers alongside the peaches and jalapenos, which ensures the flavors are balanced with every bite.

The Skewers: A Balanced Mix of Sweet and Spicy

One of the key components of this dish is the balance between the sweetness of the peaches and the heat from the jalapenos. The peaches are quartered and halved to create the perfect bite-sized pieces that add juicy sweetness to the skewers. Grilled peaches soften and caramelize, creating a deliciously smoky and sweet contrast to the spicy chicken and jalapenos.

The jalapenos are halved, seeded, and cut into chunks before being added to the skewers. The heat from the jalapenos is tempered by the sweetness of the peaches, creating a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy. You can adjust the amount of jalapeno based on your preferred spice level—removing the seeds will lessen the heat, or leaving them in will make the skewers spicier.

The Peach Glaze: Sweet, Tangy, and Savory

The peach glaze is what truly makes these skewers stand out. It’s made from peach preserves, olive oil, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. This combination creates a glaze that’s both sweet and tangy, with just a touch of heat from the red pepper flakes to tie everything together.

As the skewers cook, the glaze is brushed onto the chicken and fruit, adding a glossy finish and an extra layer of flavor. The sweetness of the peach preserves pairs beautifully with the savory notes of the soy sauce and Dijon mustard, while the acidity from the vinegar helps balance the richness of the olive oil.

Cooking the Skewers: Versatility and Convenience

These skewers are incredibly versatile and can be cooked using several methods:

• Air Fryer: For a quick and easy method, the air fryer is an excellent choice. Preheat it to 375°F (190°C), brush the skewers with olive oil, and air fry them for 11-12 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The air fryer gives the skewers a crispy exterior while keeping the chicken juicy on the inside.

• Oven: If you prefer baking, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Bake the skewers for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking. This method allows you to cook multiple skewers at once, making it ideal for serving a crowd.

• Grill: For a smoky flavor and classic grill marks, grilling the skewers over medium-high heat is the way to go. Grill each side for about 8-10 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The grill adds a lovely char to the chicken and fruit, intensifying the smoky flavors and making them extra flavorful.

Brush with Peach Glaze: The Finishing Touch

Once the skewers are cooked to perfection, they are generously brushed with the peach glaze. The glaze adds a shiny, sticky layer that enhances the flavor and gives the skewers a glossy, appetizing finish. The sweetness from the peaches, combined with the savory elements of soy sauce and mustard, makes for an irresistible topping that coats every bite.

Serving and Enjoying Jalapeno Peach Chicken Skewers

These skewers are perfect for serving as an appetizer or a light main course. They are ideal for summer barbecues, casual dinners, or gatherings with friends and family. Pair them with a refreshing salad, grilled vegetables, or even a cold drink to create a satisfying and well-rounded meal.

Jalapeno Peach Chicken Skewers also work well with rice or quinoa, or you can serve them alongside a simple dipping sauce, like a yogurt-based sauce or extra peach glaze for added flavor.

Why Jalapeno Peach Chicken Skewers Are Perfect for Summer

These skewers are a great choice for summer due to their bright and refreshing flavors. The sweetness of the peaches and the heat from the jalapenos make them a perfect combination for hot weather, while the grilling method imparts a smoky flavor that’s synonymous with summer barbecues. Whether you’re hosting a party, enjoying a family dinner, or just craving something fresh and flavorful, Jalapeno Peach Chicken Skewers are a delicious and crowd-pleasing option.

Nutritional Information

Each Jalapeno Peach Chicken Skewer is a balanced and flavorful treat with approximately 150-200 calories. These skewers are packed with protein (around 20g per skewer), thanks to the chicken, and provide 8g of fat, including healthy monounsaturated fats from olive oil. The skewers also contain 10-15g of carbohydrates, with a touch of sugar from the peach preserves, and are a good source of potassium from the peaches and chicken.

These skewers provide a delicious combination of macronutrients and a good balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, making them a satisfying meal that won’t leave you feeling overly full or heavy.

Conclusion

Jalapeno Peach Chicken Skewers are a delightful, flavorful dish that perfectly balances the sweetness of peaches with the heat of jalapenos, all topped off with a savory and tangy peach glaze. Whether grilled, baked, or air fried, these skewers are a versatile and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for summer barbecues, weeknight dinners, or casual gatherings. The combination of tender chicken, juicy peaches, and spicy jalapenos creates a refreshing and savory treat that will impress everyone at your table.