Description
Grilling perfect lemon herb chicken skewers brings summer vibes right to your backyard barbecue. Marinated in fresh herbs and tangy citrus, these skewers deliver bold Mediterranean-inspired flavor that makes your taste buds dance.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4–5 cloves garlic, finely minced
Liquids and Additional Ingredients:
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- ½ large red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 10–12 wooden or metal skewers
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Extra lemon wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Grab a medium bowl and whisk together ¼ cup lemon juice, lemon zest from 1 large lemon, 4-5 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped rosemary, 2 tbsp thyme leaves, 1 tbsp chopped oregano, ½ cup olive oil, 1 tsp sea salt, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp smoked paprika, and ¼ tsp red pepper flakes until your marinade looks smooth and well-blended.
- Pat your 2 lbs of chicken cubes completely dry with paper towels. Drop the chicken into the marinade and toss until each piece gets thoroughly coated. Cover the bowl or transfer to a sealed bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on your chicken cut.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Slice 1 large red bell pepper, 1 large yellow bell pepper, and ½ red onion into 1-inch chunks matching your chicken size. Thread marinated chicken onto 10-12 skewers, mixing in vegetables if desired. Leave small gaps between pieces for even cooking.
- Heat your grill to 400-450°F, cleaning grates with a wire brush and lightly oiling to prevent sticking. Arrange skewers in a single layer with space between them for consistent grilling.
- Grill skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, rotating with tongs to create golden-brown char marks. Check that chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature using a meat thermometer, which typically takes 16-20 minutes total.
- Remove skewers from grill and let rest 5-10 minutes on a clean plate. This helps redistribute juices and keeps your chicken tender. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
- Plate your skewers alongside couscous, quinoa salad, pita bread, or grilled vegetables for a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for the best flavor, but don’t exceed 4-6 hours for chicken breasts to prevent tough meat.
- Soak wooden skewers in water to prevent burning and ensure even grilling without charred edges.
- Pat chicken dry before marinating to help the herbs and seasonings adhere better and create a more flavorful crust.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check chicken’s internal temperature, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked meat without drying it out.
- Prep Time: 45-60 minutes
- Cook Time: 16-20 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 282 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg