Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Skewers
These Mediterranean Chicken Skewers are a must-try! Marinated in a zesty blend of lemon and herbs, tender chicken cubes are grilled to golden perfection. Bursting with flavor, they're light and zesty, ideal for pairing with rice or in a sandwich.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into pieces
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 tablespoons Yogurt
- Turkish red pepper paste mild and adds rich flavor and a nice pop of color to the chicken.
- 1 tablespoon Tomato paste
- 1 Lemon juice and zest
- ⅓ cup Parsley chopped
- ⅓ cup Cilantro chopped
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- ½ teaspoon Coriander
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
- Start by cutting the chicken thighs into evenly sized pieces (about 1 1/2 inches thick). Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl.
- Pour the olive oil, yogurt, juice and zest of the lemon, tomato paste, chopped parsley, chopped cilantro, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper on the chicken cubes, ensuring they are all well coated.
- Use your hands to massage the marinade into the chicken. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to develop.
Prepare the Skewers
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning on the grill. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece.
Grill the Skewers
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. If using an oven, preheat it to 400°F (200°C). Place the chicken skewers on the preheated grill and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks. If using an oven, place the skewers on a lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
Serve
- Once cooked, remove the skewers from the grill or oven and let them rest for a few minutes. Serve the Mediterranean chicken skewers hot, garnished with extra chopped parsley or cilantro, if desired, with a side of tomato and cucumber salad.
Video
Notes
Marinate for flavor: Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to develop and the meat to tenderize. To ensure even cooking and better flavor development, it's preferable to take the chicken cubes out of the fridge and let them sit at the counter for at least 15 minutes before grilling.
Uniform pieces: Cut the chicken into uniform pieces (about 1.5 inches) to ensure even cooking. This helps to prevent some pieces from being overcooked while others are undercooked.
Soak wooden skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken. This prevents them from burning on the grill.
Preheat the grill: Make sure your grill is preheated before adding the skewers. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and gets those beautiful grill marks.
Nutrition
Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 551mg | Potassium: 477mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 601IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 2mg