Whip up these easy chicken kabobs tonight. Bite-sized pieces of marinated chicken transform into flavorful grilled chicken kabobs the whole family will enjoy.
Thread the chicken onto skewers and grill until caramelized and cooked through. Add colorful vegetables for a balanced meal — bell peppers, zucchini, squash or pineapple all pair well with either boneless chicken thighs or chicken breast.
Chicken Kabobs
Chicken skewers are a summer staple — quick to prepare and easy to customize. You can swap in steak or other proteins if you prefer, but marinated chicken offers a reliable, crowd-pleasing option.
Serve with grilled vegetables on the side, or thread the veggies onto the skewers so everything cooks together without heating up the kitchen.
How To Make Chicken Kabobs
This homemade kabob recipe is straightforward. Prepare a simple marinade, cut the chicken into evenly sized cubes, then toss the pieces in the marinade to absorb flavor.
After marinating, thread the chicken onto skewers and grill until nicely charred and cooked through. Monitor the grill so the chicken stays juicy and doesn’t overcook.
What Are The Best Skewers To Use
Metal skewers are convenient and reusable, while wooden skewers are affordable and widely available. If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
Properly soaked wooden skewers hold up well on the grill and help avoid scorch marks or breakage during cooking.
How Long To Marinate Chicken
For best results, marinate the chicken for 8 hours. If that’s not possible, marinate for at least 4 hours. The longer the chicken marinates, the deeper the flavor will be.
Marinating also helps the chicken pick up smoky notes when cooked on the grill. A pellet grill at around 450°F works great, but any hot grill will do.
How To Grill Vegetables On The Grill
Choose your favorite vegetables — I like pineapple, mini peppers, zucchini and yellow squash. Clean and slice them into uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
Grill vegetables until they develop light char and become tender, usually 5–10 minutes depending on the item. Fruit like pineapple caramelizes quickly and adds a sweet contrast to the savory chicken.
Best Way to Eat Chicken Skewers
For safety and ease, remove cooked pieces from the skewer with a fork before eating. While some enjoy eating directly from skewers, sliding the meat onto a plate is often the most practical approach.
What To Serve With Kabobs
- Grilled vegetables
- Instant Pot Cuban black beans
- Fresh vegetable salad
- Hasselback sweet potatoes
- KFC-style coleslaw
- Corn fritters
Chicken Kabobs
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ cup green onions chopped thinly
- ¼ cup lime juice freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 large garlic clove minced
Instructions
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Place the chopped chicken in a bowl. Cut pieces to similar sizes so they cook evenly.
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Add soy sauce, green onions, lime juice, brown sugar, ginger, red pepper flakes and garlic. Toss to combine and cover.
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Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, up to 8 hours. Eight hours yields the most flavor.
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Preheat the grill to medium-high (around 450°F on a pellet grill) or allow your grill to get hot.
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Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers while the grill heats.
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Grill the skewers for 4–6 minutes, turn, then grill another 4–6 minutes or until chicken reaches a safe internal temperature. Cooking time varies with thickness.
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Serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Nutrition
Calories: 152kcal
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 23g
Fat: 4g
Sodium: 947mg
Sugar: 3g
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