Description
Enjoy this flavorful and juicy grilled Greek chicken kabobs marinated in a zesty lemon herb mixture, perfect for outdoor grilling or oven finishing. Simple to prepare and full of vibrant Mediterranean flavors, these skewers are a healthy and delicious choice for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Marinade
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Chicken and Skewers
- 2 to 2.5 pounds chicken breasts (boneless, skinless), cut into 1-1/4 inch cubes
- Stainless steel skewers or bamboo skewers (soaked in water for 20 minutes)
Instructions
- Prepare Skewers: Make sure you have skewers ready. If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Make Marinade: In a large resealable bag, combine olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, dried oregano, dried parsley, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Seal the bag and shake well to mix.
- Marinate Chicken: Add the chicken cubes into the marinade bag, seal, and toss to coat evenly. Refrigerate and marinate for 2-3 hours for optimal flavor, flipping once midway.
- Assemble Kabobs: Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto skewers, leaving space between pieces for even cooking.
- Preheat Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat. Ensure grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
- Grill Kabobs: Place skewers on the grill. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and registers 165°F internally, approximately 12-14 minutes total.
- Finishing in Oven (Optional): If needed, transfer skewers to a preheated 400°F oven and bake for 5-8 minutes to ensure thorough cooking.
- Rest and Serve: Remove cooked kebabs from the grill. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to retain juices. Serve hot, optionally with sides like grilled vegetables or rice.
Notes
- Soak bamboo skewers in water for at least 20 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent burning during grilling.
- Do not marinate the chicken for longer than 3 hours as the lemon can make the meat tough.
- Let the marinated chicken sit at room temperature during the last 20-30 minutes of marinating for more even cooking.
- Finish in the oven if your grill is unavailable or to hasten cooking, especially to ensure internal temperature safety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer (about 4 oz chicken)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 360 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
