Puerto Rican pinchos are one of the easiest and tastiest kabobs you will make! This BBQ chicken shish kabob is perfect for grilling on the weekends.
WHAT ARE PINCHOS?
Pinchos are made of bite size pieces of meat, typically chicken, pork, or beef (or shrimp) that is then threaded onto a stick and cooked on the grill or baked in the oven. You can make all meat pinchos or add variety by adding some chunks of onions, peppers, pinchos with pineapple, or be creative and design your own shish kabob! Pinchos are then often draped with a savory, sweet, or spicy sauce.
IS PINCHOS THE SAME AS TAPAS?
No, pinchos are not the same thing as tapas. For a more thorough explanation on what tapas are, read this article by Trip Savvy. Although, pinchos can fall into the category as being a tapas. Tapas is a big umbrella word for “small portion”.
How To Make Puerto Rican Pinchos
Puerto Rican pinchos are easily made by seasoning chunks of chicken breast with Adobo seasoning and oregano! Seriously, it's an easy dish. Later you'll brush the chicken with BBQ sauce, but that's not yet.
Once your Puerto Rican chicken is seasoned, let it marinate for half an hour before threading chunks of chicken through metal or wooden skewers. Keep the seasoned chicken snug by each other, but allow the chicken to sit naturally, not completely squished.
TIP FOR MAKING PINCHOS WITH WOODEN SKEWERS.
If you are using wooden skewers, be sure to soak the skewers in water for at least an hour or two before threading with meat.
HOW TO GRILL PINCHOS
For the fun part! To grill pinchos, you’ll want to oil your grill and preheat it over medium high heat. After your grill has preheated, add in your pinchos and close the grill lid. After 4 minutes, flip the pinchos and grill an additional 4 minutes. Depending on the thickness of your chicken, it may be done now, if not flip and cook another 4 minutes. Pinchos de pollo typically take 8-12 minutes to cook.
Your Puerto Rican BBQ chicken pinchos are done once the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear, or if you’re like me, pull out the digital thermometer and check that the temperature is at least 165.
Once your chicken pinchos reach 165 degrees, generously brush with your favorite BBQ sauce. Cook a few more minutes until the BBQ is sticky.
Want a more authentic Puerto Rican pincho experience? Add a chunk of toasted bread to the end of the skewer when ready to serve!
These Puerto Rican BBQ chicken pinchos are a great family friendly recipe to switch out the normal hot dogs and hamburgers for!
More Puerto Rican Recipes:
📖 Recipe
Puerto Rican BBQ Chicken Pinchos
Ingredients
- 3 boneless chicken breasts cut into chunks
- 2 teaspoon of Adobo seasoning
- 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
- BBQ sauce as desired
Instructions
- In a large bowl toss together chicken, Adobo seasoning, and oregano. Let chicken marinade for 30 minutes before threading chicken through metal or wooden skewers.
- Oil grill and preheat over medium high heat. Add chicken pinchos and close lid. After 4 minutes, flip. Every 4 minutes flip until juices run clear and chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Once chicken is cooked, brush on BBQ sauce, cook a few more minutes until BBQ sauce is sticky.
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