exican Citrus‑Garlic Adobo Chicken Thigh Kabobs (Air Fryer)

Name: exican Citrus‑Garlic Adobo Chicken Thigh Kabobs (Air Fryer)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American, Mexican, Latin American
Ingredients: 2–3 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced; 1 tbsp adobo sauce (from the can); 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp Mexican oregano; 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp black pepper; Juice of 1 lime; Juice of ½ orange (or 2 tbsp bottled OJ); 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1.5–2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks; 2 zucchini, thick half‑moons; 1 red bell pepper, squares; 1 yellow onion, chunks; Olive oil (light brush)

5 steps

Prep:20minCook:15min

Mexican Citrus‑Garlic Adobo is bold, bright, garlicky, and perfect for juicy chicken thigh kabobs with your zucchini, onion, and bell pepper combo. Here’s a full air‑fryer recipe built exactly around that flavor profile.

Updated at: Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:49:35 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Great

Glycemic Index

Low

Glycemic Load

Low

Nutrition per serving

Calories387.9 kcal (19%)

Total Fat22.1 g (32%)

Carbs11.3 g (4%)

Sugars6.4 g (7%)

Protein35.9 g (72%)

Sodium828.6 mg (41%)

Fiber3 g (11%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

4 servings

Chipotle Citrus‑Garlic Adobo Marinade

2chipotle peppers in adobo

minced

1 Tbspadobo sauce

from the can

4cloves garlic

minced

1 tspground cumin

1 tspsmoked paprika

1 tspmexican oregano

1 tspsalt

½ tspblack pepper

1juice of lime

0.5orange

Juice of 2 tbsp bottled

2 Tbspapple cider vinegar

3 Tbspolive oil

Kabobs

1.5 lbsboneless skinless chicken thighs

Instructions

Step 1

Make the citrus‑garlic adoboMix olive oil, garlic, lime juice, orange juice, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust citrus or salt.

Step 2

2 Marinate the chickenToss chicken thighs in the adobo. Marinate 20–30 minutes (or up to overnight for deeper flavor).

Step 3

3 Assemble kabobsThread chicken, zucchini, onion, and bell pepper onto skewers. Brush lightly with any remaining marinade.

Step 4

4 Air fryCook at 400°F for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until chicken reaches 165°F and edges are lightly charred.

Step 5

5 FinishSqueeze a little extra lime over the kabobs and sprinkle with fresh oregano or cilantro if you like.