These super easy Chicken Kebab Skewers are the perfect addition to any summer barbecue! They combine tender chicken with charred veggies for a healthy and filling meal.
Featuring juicy and tender chicken in a flavorful marinade, these chicken kebab skewers will have the whole neighborhood coming to your backyard once you put them on the grill!
Why This Recipe Works
With a homemade marinade, perfectly cooked chicken, and your choice of fresh veggies, these grilled chicken kebabs are the ultimate summer recipe like my Spicy Teriyaki Grilled Steak Kebabs!
You’ll love the bold and savory flavors and the simple steps required to make these super simple and tasty chicken skewers. Customize with all your favorite veggies to grill for the ultimate meal like this Grilled Zucchini Salad.
Ingredients Needed
- Greek Yogurt: Helps form the base for the marinade and helps break down the protein fibers in the chicken to leave it perfectly juicy and tender.
- Olive Oil
- Seasonings: I use a combination of smoked paprika, cumin, cinnamon, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to flavor the chicken.
- Lemon Juice: Balances all the warm and savory spices with a slightly sour and tangy citrus flavor.
- Fresh Garlic Cloves
- Cilantro: Adds a lot of flavor but you can certainly leave it out if you dont like the taste.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: You can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts if you prefer lighter meat.
How to Make Grilled Chicken Kebabs
- Step 1: Combine the yogurt and olive oil with paprika, salt, pepper, cumin, cinnamon, onion powder, red peppers flakes, garlic, fresh lemon juice, and cilantro.
- Step 2: Dice the chicken thighs into bite sized pieces.
- Step 3: Add the chicken pieces to a large bowl with the marinade and toss until well combined. Allow the chicken to sit for at least an hour, or overnight.
- Step 4: Add the marinaded chicken to skewers with chunks of your chosen veggies.
- Step 5: Heat a grill to medium high heat and place the chicken kebab skewers over direct heat. Cook for 13 to 15 minutes, turning every couple of minutes.
- Step 6: Allow the skewers to rest for 5 minutes off heat, then serve and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Add chopped veggies like red bell peppers, green bell peppers, yellow peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, or zucchini.
- If you’re using bamboo skewers or wooden skewers, soak them in some water first to prevent them from getting burnt or blackened on the grill. You can also use metal skewers–just be aware they’ll be hot when you take them off the grill!
- Be sure to let the chicken marinate for as long as you can. I like to prepare mine the day before so the flavors can really soak in and help tenderize the chicken.
- Using chicken breasts instead? They don’t take as long to cook as chicken thighs, so be sure not to overcook them.
- Feel free to add more of whatever seasonings you like in the marinade, or omit anything you don’t want to add.
- Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. You can remove it from the skewers once it’s cooked for easier storage. Microwave to reheat.
- Chicken is fully cooked at an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
