The tantalizing aroma of grilled chicken kabobs wafts through the air, making your taste buds dance with anticipation. Picture vibrant skewers loaded with juicy chicken, colorful bell peppers, and onions, each bite bursting with flavor that sings to your senses. hot honey BBQ chicken drumsticks grilled shrimp tacos meatball skewers for grilling. grilled pineapple teriyaki burgers.
As you gather friends and family around for a summer barbecue, the excitement builds. Memories of laughter and delicious food fill the air as everyone digs into these flavorful chicken kabobs, creating connections that will last a lifetime. For more inspiration, check out this avocado chicken salad recipe.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- The ease of preparation makes this dish perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings
- With a flavor profile that hits all the right notes, each bite is an explosion of taste
- These visually appealing kabobs bring vibrant colors to your plate, making every meal a feast for the eyes
- They are versatile enough to be served as an appetizer or a main course at any occasion
I remember the first time I made chicken kabobs for my friends; their delighted expressions were priceless as they devoured every last piece.
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
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Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: I usually use about 3-4 chicken breasts, but you can adjust the amount depending on how many people you’re feeding.
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Bell Peppers: Choose a mix of colors for a visually stunning dish that also brings varied flavors.
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Red Onion: The sweetness of red onion caramelizes beautifully on the grill, adding depth to your kabobs.
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Olive Oil: Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for marinating; it enhances flavor while keeping the chicken moist.
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Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens up the flavors and adds a zesty kick to your marinade.
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Garlic Powder: This seasoning infuses amazing flavor without the fuss of chopping fresh garlic.
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Paprika: I prefer smoked paprika here; it adds a subtle depth of flavor that takes these kabobs over the top.
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Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all other flavors in your recipe.
For the Sauce:
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Tzatziki Sauce: A refreshing yogurt-based sauce that complements chicken kabobs perfectly; make it from scratch or buy pre-made.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it together
Marinate Your Chicken: Start by cutting your chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful marinade. Toss in the chicken cubes so they are evenly coated and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes. For more inspiration, check out this honey garlic soy sauce chicken recipe.
Prepare Your Veggies: While your chicken is soaking up all those wonderful flavors, chop your bell peppers and red onion into similar-sized chunks. This ensures even cooking and makes every skewer visually appealing.
Skewering Time!: Grab some skewers (wooden or metal), and begin threading pieces of marinated chicken followed by your colorful veggies. Alternate between meat and vegetables for an eye-catching presentation.
Grill Away!: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Once hot, place your kabobs on the grill grates. Cook them for about 10-15 minutes total until everything is nicely charred and cooked through. Remember to turn them occasionally for even grilling.
Sauce It Up!: While the kabobs are grilling away, prepare your tzatziki sauce if you’re making it from scratch. Combine Greek yogurt with grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and dill in a bowl for that perfect dipping sauce.
Serve with Style!: Once done grilling, remove the kabobs from heat and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Arrange on a platter with tzatziki on the side for dipping—then watch everyone dive in!
Enjoy these scrumptious chicken kabobs during summer picnics or cozy family dinners; they are sure to impress!
You Must Know
- This delightful chicken kabob recipe is not just about flavor; it’s an experience
- The aroma of marinated chicken grilling is irresistible, and the colorful veggies make it visually appealing
- Perfect for gatherings or a cozy dinner, these kabobs always impress
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by marinating the chicken for at least one hour to enhance flavor, then skewer with veggies and grill on medium-high heat until cooked through, approximately 12-15 minutes.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to swap out vegetables based on seasonal offerings or personal preference. Try adding pineapple or different spices to create your unique twist on chicken kabobs.
Storing & Reheating
Store leftover chicken kabobs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, around 5-7 minutes.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- To ensure juicy chicken, avoid overcooking by using a meat thermometer
- Aim for an internal temperature of 165°F
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water beforehand to prevent burning
- Skewering veggies and chicken together helps ensure even cooking
Cooking these chicken kabobs reminds me of summer barbecues with friends—everyone gathered around, laughter filling the air while we waited impatiently for that first delicious bite.
FAQ
How long should I marinate the chicken for kabobs?
Marinate the chicken for at least one hour to infuse maximum flavor.
Can I use frozen chicken for kabobs?
It’s best to use fresh chicken, but if using frozen, ensure it’s completely thawed first.
What vegetables pair well with chicken kabobs?
Bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes make excellent additions to kabobs.
Grilled Chicken Kabobs
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves about 4 people 1x
Description
Grilled chicken kabobs are a delightful summer staple that combines juicy chicken with vibrant bell peppers and onions, all infused with a zesty marinade. Perfect for barbecues or family dinners, these skewers deliver bursts of flavor in every bite, creating unforgettable memories with friends and family. Easy to prepare and visually stunning, they are sure to impress at any gathering!
Ingredients
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 2 bell peppers (any colors), chopped into chunks
- 1 red onion, chopped into chunks
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Tzatziki sauce for serving
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes. In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken cubes and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- While the chicken marinates, chop the bell peppers and red onion into similar-sized pieces.
- Thread marinated chicken and vegetables onto skewers alternately.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill kabobs for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally until cooked through.
- Serve with tzatziki sauce on the side.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 kabobs (150g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: For added flavor variety, consider using seasonal vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms. To ensure juicy chicken, use a meat thermometer; target an internal temperature of 165°F.