Description
Juicy, tangy, and herbaceous grilled chicken skewers that are ready in just 20 minutes. This easy weeknight dinner is naturally gluten-free, packed with Mediterranean flavors, and perfect for meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt (or kosher salt)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 8–10 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- Optional: Red onion chunks or bell pepper pieces
Instructions
- Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Cut chicken breasts into uniform 1.5-inch cubes to ensure even cooking.
- In a large bowl or Ziploc bag, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- Add chicken cubes to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Seal and massage for a minute.
- Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2-4 hours (do not exceed 6 hours).
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (approx. 400°F / 200°C).
- Thread marinated chicken onto skewers, leaving small spaces between cubes for heat circulation.
- Grill skewers for 4-5 minutes on the first side until grill marks appear.
- Flip skewers and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side.
- Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from grill and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Notes
If using wooden skewers, soaking is mandatory to prevent burning. For oven cooking, bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway. Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for juicier results. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen raw in the marinade for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 skewers per servin
- Calories: 280
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken, grilled chicken skewers, healthy weeknight dinner, gluten-free recipes, lemon herb chicken, easy grilling, meal prep chicken