Light up the Grill with Crowd-Pleasing Skewers

(Family Features) Dust off your grill and light up the coals – it’s time to move the party back to the warm outdoors. Enjoy the company of friends and family this summer with this easy, make-ahead recipe for grilled Chicken Skewers with Avocado Cream Dip. These versatile treats are sure to please any guest.

Grilling TipsHere are a few tips and tricks to use when grilling:

Marinate meats overnight in a cajun-style marinade, made with vegetable oil, vinegar, minced celery, onion, green pepper, and garlic, Cajun Seasoning, and Tabasco Original Red Sauce for grill-ready flavor that will save you time and stress the next day.

To please a diverse crowd, prepare an assortment of marinated vegetables and meats for guests to customize their own skewers.

Add a few dashes of Tabasco Original Red Sauce to your favorite condiments for a spicy twist on classics like bottled ketchup, BBQ sauce, and mayonnaise.

Soaking wooden skewers in warm water 30 minutes before grilling will help prevent them from burning.

For more recipes and tips, visit www.tabasco.com.

Recipe: Chicken Skewers with Avocado Cream Dip

Ingredients:

Marinade

• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Tabasco brand Original Red Sauce
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 1/2 teaspoons key lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1 tablespoon Achiote paste
• 1 tablespoon minced white onion
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 (5-ounce) chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes, 36 pieces total

Dip

• 1 medium-sized ripe avocado
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
• 1 teaspoon key lime juice
• 1 teaspoon Tabasco brand Original Red Sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Skewers

• 12 1-inch square pieces white onion (about 1/2 onion)
• 12 1-inch square pieces green bell pepper (about 1/2 pepper)
• 12 1-inch square pieces red bell pepper (about 1/2 pepper)

Preparation:

1. Whisk marinade ingredients in a large bowl until smooth. Fold in chicken pieces. Mix well. Refrigerate covered for 30 minutes to an hour.
2. While chicken is marinating, place all dip ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
3. To assemble skewers: thread one piece of red pepper onto a 3 to 4-inch skewer or toothpick, followed by chicken, onion, another piece of chicken, and green pepper.
4. Preheat either a grill or a stovetop griddle to medium-high heat. Cook the skewers on the first side, about 2 minutes, then turn, cooking for 2 minutes on all 4 sides.
5. Serve with Avocado Cream Dip.

Makes 6 appetizer portions