Blood Orange & Tequila Lime Grilled Chicken Skewers

If you said you were going to eat better in 2025, but don't want the same ol' boring chicken — this recipe is for you!

 

Our Blood Orange & Tequila Lime Grilled Chicken Skewers are equal parts vibrant, delicious, and easy to make. They're a celebration of the winter citrus season, complemented by a splash of tequila and the bold, Mexican-inspired flavors of Station 1923 Rojo Smoke. What really takes them to the next level is adding Greek yogurt to the marinade, and the blood orange & tequila lime finishing sauce served on the side. More on those shortly.

These Blood Orange & Tequila Lime Grilled Chicken Skewers are versatile, easy to make, and easy to portion out — making them the perfect solution for weekly meal prep. Pair them with rice, beans, and fajita-style veggies for a bowl, dice and add them to tortillas or wraps for a street taco experience, or serve on top of your favorite salad. You can't go wrong!

 

What Does Blood Orange Taste Like?

Blood oranges are truly a winter treat. Their deep orange exterior, often streaked with crimson offers a unique flavor profile – less acidic than a regular orange, with hints of raspberry and a subtle sweetness. Beyond their exquisite taste, blood oranges are packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants, making them a delicious way to boost your immunity during the colder months.

 

Why Greek Yogurt?

We've written before about the benefits of swapping Greek yogurt in your favorite recipes. To add to that list, Greek yogurt marinades are a game-changer for chicken. That lactic acid in the yogurt is where the magic happens – it breaks down the chicken just enough to make it super tender and juicy, even if you accidentally overcook it a little. Plus, the Greek yogurt creates a nice, creamy layer that all the spices and flavors just love to cling to. As an added bonus, Greek yogurt adds a little extra protein kick, too.

Alternative Cooking Methods

While this recipe calls for skewering up chicken and putting it on the grill, we totally understand if that's not your ministry. You can skip the skewers and pop the marinated chicken in the air fryer, or arrange them on an oven-safe baking sheet (covered in foil recommended) and put them under the broiler.

Ready to make the tastiest Blood Orange & Tequila Lime Grilled Chicken Skewers? Let's go!

 

Yields: Approximately 6-8 skewers

Prep time: 15 minutes (plus marinating time)

Cook time: 15-20 minutes

 

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

• 1 red onion, sliced into rings
• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped (or use frozen cubes)
• Zest and juice of 2 blood oranges
• Zest and juice of 2 limes
• 1 cup tequila of choice
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• Heaping 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons  Station 1923 Rojo Smoke All-Purpose Seasoning
• 1/4 cup neutral oil (like avocado, olive, or grapeseed)
• 5 large chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 3 cups 0% plain Greek yogurt (about 1/2 cup per pound of chicken)

 

For the Finishing Sauce:

• 1 cup tequila of choice
• Juice of 1 blood orange
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh cilantro, finely chopped (or use frozen cubes)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Splash of your favorite hot sauce (we recommend a habanero or smoky chipotle)

 

Things You'll Need

• Cutting board
• Large knife
• 2 mixing bowls
• Skewers (omit if air frying or broiling)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk or spatula for mixing
• Citrus squeezer (optional but recommended)
• Zester or microplane
• Gloves (optional but recommended)
• Saran wrap or bowl covering of choice
• Meat thermometer or probe (highly recommended)

 

Step 1: Prep the Chicken and Marinade

To unlock the magic of Greek yogurt on chicken breasts, we want to get those two paired up as soon as possible. Prep your chicken (we clean chicken in this house, but you do you), and cut it into 1-inch chunks. Place it inside the first mixing bowl along with the neutral oil, Greek yogurt, and heaping quarter cup of Station 1923 Rojo Smoke All-Purpose Seasoning.

 

Cover the mixing bowl and refrigerate.

 

While the chicken is getting tender in the fridge, grab the second bowl and combine the remaining ingredients: red onion, garlic, cilantro, blood orange juice and zest, lime juice and zest, tequila, soy sauce, honey, and Rojo Smoke.

Use a whisk or spatula to vigorously stir until all ingredients are fully incorporated.

 

Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and pour the marinade over all of the chicken, mixing by hand or with a spatula until all of the chicken is covered in the bowl. Cover the bowl again and return to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 3 hours).

Tip: Zest your blood oranges and limes before squeezing them for juice. Citrus peels are easier to zest while the fruit is still whole.

 

Step 2: Skewer, Grill, and Sauce

Fire up the grill and pre-heat it to a medium flame. While the grill is heating up, thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers.

Grill the skewers for about 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 160-165°F.

Tip: For added color and more flavor, skewer red bell pepper and pineapple chunks between the pieces of chicken.

While the chicken is grilling, prepare the finishing sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the tequila, blood orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, soy sauce, and a splash of hot sauce. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly into a syrupy consistency.

Step 3: Bring it All Together

Remove the chicken skewers from the grill and serve immediately. Drizzle the finishing sauce over the chicken or serve it on the side for dipping.

Enjoy the burst of winter sunshine with these flavorful Blood Orange & Tequila Lime Chicken Skewers! We'd love to see your creations – tag us on social media @Station1923.

And don't forget to visit your local farmers' market for the freshest blood oranges and other seasonal delights. Happy grilling!

 

Shop Station 1923 Rojo Smoke All-Purpose Seasoning