These Greek Chicken Kabobs are grilled to perfection and packed with flavor! Juicy chicken is marinated in zesty lemon, garlic, and herbs, then skewered with colorful veggies.
Who doesn’t love a tasty meal on a stick? I enjoy serving them with pita bread and a side of tzatziki for dipping. It’s a simple way to feel like you’re on a Mediterranean vacation! 🌞
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfect here for their lean texture. You can swap them with thighs for juiciness or even use firm tofu for a vegetarian version.
Bell Peppers: The colorful mix of red, yellow, and green peppers adds flavor and visual appeal. Feel free to replace with zucchini, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes based on your preference!
Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil gives a wonderful flavor to the marinade. If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can use avocado oil instead.
Greek Yogurt: A must for tzatziki! If you can’t find it, regular plain yogurt works too, but it may be a bit thinner. For a dairy-free version, use coconut yogurt.
Dill: Fresh dill brightens up the tzatziki. If you don’t have fresh, dried dill works fine. Just use about one-third of the amount since dried herbs are more potent.
How Can I Make My Chicken Kabobs Juicy and Flavorful?
The secret is in marinating the chicken properly. The marinade not only adds flavor but also helps keep the chicken moist during grilling. Marinate for at least 1 hour, but overnight is best if you have the time! This allows the herbs and spices to really blend into the meat.
- Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the chicken well and refrigerate it covered. This will infuse great flavor!
When assembling the kabobs, don’t overcrowd them on the skewers; give veggies and chicken room to cook evenly. Also, make sure your grill is really hot before you place the kabobs on it to get nice grill marks!
How to Make Greek Chicken Kabobs
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Kabobs:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Wooden or metal skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes prior to grilling)
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cucumber, finely grated and excess moisture squeezed out
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill)
- Salt to taste
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe requires about 1 hour for marinating the chicken and 30 minutes for preparation and cooking, making the total time around 1 hour and 30 minutes. The marinating part is hands-off, allowing the chicken to soak up all those delicious flavors!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
In a bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken cubes to the bowl and toss them well to coat in the marinade. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for even more flavor.
2. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce:
While the chicken is marinating, make your tzatziki sauce. In a separate bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, dill, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything until well combined. Cover and refrigerate this sauce until you’re ready to serve it.
3. Assemble the Kabobs:
Once the chicken is marinated, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Now it’s time to assemble the kabobs. Take your skewers and thread the marinated chicken cubes, along with pieces of red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, green bell pepper, and red onion, onto the skewers. Alternate the chicken and vegetables for colorful and tasty kabobs!
4. Grill the Kabobs:
Place the skewers on the preheated grill. Cook them for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and has beautiful grill marks. You want that perfect char for extra flavor!
5. Serve:
Once done, carefully remove the kabobs from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes. Serve them hot with your delicious tzatziki sauce on the side and some lemon wedges for an extra zesty kick!
Enjoy your flavorful Greek Chicken Kabobs!
Can I Use Other Vegetables in This Recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap in your favorite vegetables such as zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms. Just remember to cut them into similar sizes for even cooking. Adjust the grilling time accordingly for softer veggies!
What Can I Use Instead of Greek Yogurt for the Tzatziki Sauce?
If you don’t have Greek yogurt, you can use regular yogurt, but you might want to strain it through a cheesecloth to remove excess moisture. Alternatively, sour cream works well for a tangy flavor!
How Do I Store Leftover Kabobs and Tzatziki Sauce?
Store leftover kabobs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The tzatziki sauce can also be kept in the fridge for about a week. Reheat the kabobs gently on the grill or in the oven, and serve the tzatziki cold!
Can I Prepare the Chicken in Advance?
Yes, you can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead of time. Just keep it tightly sealed in the refrigerator. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful it will be!
