Learn how to grill chicken kabobs with this easy Mediterranean chicken kabobs recipe, PLUS 6 other flavor variations! Juicy chicken is marinated with simple, fresh herbs and spices, then cooked perfectly on the grill. These grilled chicken kabobs with vegetables make an easy, healthy main course that everyone will love for dinner. If you love Mediterranean flavors, be sure to also try Mediterranean chicken, Mediterranean chicken salad, and surprisingly easy homemade gyro meat.
What Are Chicken Kabobs?
Chicken shish kabobs are pieces of chicken that are seasoned and grilled on skewers, often with vegetables. The best chicken kabobs will have a quick marinade and simple, fresh ingredients.
Ingredients For Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs
This section explains how to choose ingredients for the best grilled chicken kabobs, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Chicken & Vegetables:
Chicken Breast – I use boneless skinless chicken breast, but you could also use chicken thighs if you like. Bell Peppers – I like to use a variety of colors, but use your favorites. Zucchini – Feel free to swap this for similar veggies, such as yellow squash or even eggplant.Red Onion – White or yellow onion will also work if you prefer.
Chicken Kabob Marinade:
Olive Oil – Use extra virgin olive oil for best flavor. If you need to, you can still use regular olive oil or swap in avocado oil.Lemon Juice – Fresh squeezed is the best, and lemon is a must for Mediterranean chicken kabobs!Garlic – Fresh minced garlic has the best flavor, but the kind from a jar will work as well.Fresh Herbs – I used dill and parsley, perfect for summer! I highly recommend fresh, but if you must substitute dried herbs, replace each tablespoon of fresh herbs with a teaspoon of dried.Sea Salt & Black Pepper
How To Grill Chicken Kabobs
This section shows how to cook chicken kabobs on the grill with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below. TIP: Aim for pieces that are all the same size. This will ensure that they cook evenly. TIP: Soak skewers. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30-60 minutes before threading, to prevent them from burning.
What Temperature To Grill Chicken Kabobs?
Cook the chicken skewers on the grill over medium-high heat, which is about 375 degrees F. Use a precise meat thermometer to confirm that you cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
How Long To Grill Chicken Kabobs?
Chicken kabobs grill time will be about 5-8 minutes per side, over medium-high heat. The time can vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces and your exact grill temperature.
Variations Of Chicken Kabob Recipes
For some variety, try these other flavors for grilled chicken kabobs:
Persian – Chicken, onions, red and green bell peppers. Swap the marinade seasonings with turmeric, saffron, and red pepper flakes.Italian – Chicken, onions, eggplant, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Replace the herbs in the seasoning with Italian seasoning.Teriyaki – Chicken, pineapple, onions, and bell peppers. Marinate in your favorite teriyaki sauce.Ranch – Chicken, zucchini, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Replace the herbs in the marinade with ranch seasoning mix.Cajun – Chicken, zucchini, yellow squash, and bell peppers. Marinate with Cajun seasoning.Fajita – Chicken, onions, and bell peppers. Use fajita seasoning in the marinade.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep any leftover chicken kabobs in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.Meal prep: To make the kabobs for meal prep, simply cook and grill and store in the refrigerator. I like to place lunch-sized portions of the chicken and vegetables over cauliflower rice, in separate containers.Reheat: Reheat the chicken kabobs on the grill again, in a 350 degree F oven, or if you must, gently in the microwave.Freeze: It’s not recommended to freeze raw kabobs with marinade, because the chicken will end up mushy. But for cooked chicken and vegetables, you can freeze them for 2-3 months. Keep in mind that the veggie texture won’t be quite as good as fresh.
What To Serve With Chicken Kabobs
You don’t actually have to serve these barbecue chicken kabobs with anything, because they have both meat and vegetables, but if you want to add a healthy side, here are some ideas:
Salads – Try tomato cucumber avocado salad, Mediterranean quinoa salad, or Israeli salad.Other Grilled Veggies – My faves are grilled asparagus and grilled broccoli.Rice – You can make regular white rice, but I prefer cauliflower rice.Sauces – Tahini sauce and tzatziki sauce (pictured in the photos) both pair perfectly.
More Easy Grilled Main Courses
If you like this recipe for grilled chicken kabobs, you might also like some of these other easy grilling recipes:
Grilled SalmonLamb KoftaGrilled ShrimpBruschetta Chicken
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