Chicken Kebabs
These lemon chicken kebabs are a vibrant, bright, and tangy summer meal! They taste so fresh and are perfect for all the get-togethers this summer. Chicken breast chunks are marinated in a flavorful marinade and basted with an herb butter to level out the tartness of the citrus.
Whether you’re firing up the grill for a weekend cookout or throwing together a quick weeknight dinner, these kebabs are a guaranteed hit. They’re fast, fresh, and endlessly pairable—serve them over a bed of fluffy couscous, tuck them into a warm pita, or pile them onto a platter with roasted veggies for the perfect warm-weather feast. Even better when you pair them with Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Why You’ll Love These Chicken Kebabs
- Quick to cook, easy to prep
- Fresh citrus flavor with a savory finish
- Great for entertaining
- Pairs with lots of sides
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Kebabs
- Chicken Breast – Diced into 1 inch cubes
- Olive Oil – As a binder for the spices
- Honey – For a touch of sweetness
- Lemon – Fresh flavor and to garnish
- Spices – Lemon pepper, onion powder, minced garlic
For the Herb Butter
- Salted Butter – Because everything is better with butter
- Herbs – Chopped parsley and Chives
How to Make Chicken Kebabs
1. Marinate the Chicken
In a mixing bowl whisk together the oil, lemon juice and zest, honey, lemon pepper, onion powder, and garlic. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and mix gently to coat the chicken evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to overnight.
2. Make the Herb Butter
Melt your butter in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds and add your chopped parsley and chopped chives. Mix to combine
3. Assemble the Skewers
Assemble the skewers with 2-3 pieces of chicken for every sliced quarter of lemon. You could also add onion, bell peppers, or pineapple here. I’m using metal skewers, but if you use wood skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes before assembling.
4. Grill the Kebabs
Once the grill is hot (375F-400F), place the skewers and close the lid. Cook for 4 minutes uninterrupted. Flip the kebabs and baste the chicken generously with the herb butter. Close the lid and grill an additional 3-4 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165F.
5. Rest and Serve
Remove to a serving dish and let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Serve garnished with more parsley and lemon wedges. Serve with a garden salad, couscous or quinoa, or roasted veggies. if desired.
Expert Tips for Perfect Kebabs
- Use a thermometer to avoid overcooking. Chicken gets tough when overcooked
- Soak wooden skewers. Wood gets charred and burns easy on the grill
- Oil the grill grates if your food typically sticks
- Sub chicken thighs for juicier meat
- Make ahead tips (marinate, assemble)
What to Serve with Chicken Kebabs
- Salads (cucumber salad, garden salad)
- Grains (quinoa, couscous, rice)
- Grilled vegetables
- Pita or flatbread (like my sourdough discard flatbread)
Recipe Variations
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts
- Add veggies (zucchini, peppers, red onion)
- Make it spicy with chili flakes or cayenne
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Bake at 375F until internal temp is 165F
30 Minutes at the minimum but these can marinate overnight if you want to prep the night before
Yes, I recomend freezing them while the meat is still raw and then thaw and cook when you are ready to eat
microwave or airfry until the internal temp reaches back to 165F
More Grilling Recipes to Try
Grilled New York Strip, Grilled Salmon, Grilled Chicken Breast
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Chicken Kebabs
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Diced Chicken Breast
- 1 Lemon Juice and Zest
- 1 Lemon Sliced and cut into fourths
- 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 Tbsp Honey
- 1 1/2 tsp Lemon Pepper
- 1 clove Minced Garlic
Herb Butter
- 4 Tbsp Melted Butter Salted
- 1 Tbsp Chopped Parsley
- 1 tsp Chopped Chives
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl whisk together the oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, lemon pepper, onion powder, and minced garlic
- Dice the chicken into 1 inch cubes and mix into the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Pre heat your grill to 375-400 F.
- Make your herb butter: Melt the butter in microwave and mix in your chopped parsley and chives. Set aside
- Assemble your skewers: 2-3 pieces of chicken to every sliced quarter of lemon
- Once the grill is hot add our skewers and close the lid for 4 minutes. Flip the kebabs and baste with your herb butter. Close the lid for an additional 3-4 minutes until internal temp is 165 F.
- Remove and rest for 5-10 minutes
- Garnish and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.