Best Chicken Kabob Marinade Recipe - Little Broken (2024)

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posted by Katyaon May 28, 2021 (updated May 7, 2024) 27 comments »

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6 reviews

Juicy and tender Yogurt Marinated Chicken Kebabs with garlic, spices, lemon, and cilantro.

this recipe

Chicken Kabob Marinade Recipe

Yogurt marinated chicken kabobs are going to become your favorite summer go-to recipe. They are incredibly tasty, juicy, and so easy to make!

You will love the Mediterranean flavors of this Greek yogurt chicken marinade — cumin, yogurt, garlic, and the freshness of the cilantro. The chicken turns out perfectly flavorful and tender every single time.

Tip! I found that marinating the chicken for about 2 hours was enough to flavor and tenderize the meat but you can marinate the chicken up to overnight.

Chicken Kabob Marinade Ingredients

The ingredients for this Greek yogurt chicken marinade are pretty simple. I recommend whole milk Greek yogurt for this recipe. Also, chicken thighs –they are juicier and more flavorful than chicken breast.

Greek yogurt
garlic
paprika
cumin
yellow onion
lemon zest
lemon juice
olive oil
cilantro
chicken thighs
kosher salt and black pepper

How to Make Chicken Kebabs with Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade

1. Prepare the Greek yogurt chicken marinade: In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the marinade: Greek yogurt, garlic, paprika, cumin, onions, lemon zest and juice, olive oil, cilantro, salt, and pepper.

2. Prepare the chicken: Trim chicken thighs of any excess fat. Cut each thigh into 2-inch chunks and place in a large bowl.

3. Add marinade to chicken: Add marinade to the chicken and thoroughly toss to evenly coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours up to overnight.

4. Thread onto skewers and grill: Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers and place them on a platter or baking sheet. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, grease well, and grill the kabobs until golden brown.

Can I Use Chicken Breast?

Chicken breast can become tough from the lemon juice so I recommend boneless, skinless, chicken thighs for this recipe. They’re juicy and can withstand lemon juice well.

How to Bake Skewers with Chicken Kebab Marinade

A reader shared the following: ” Yumm!! Just made this and it’s so tasty! I cut the chicken into chunks then baked it at 375 for 25 minutes and broiled on low for 10 minutes to crisp it up a little.”

What to Serve with Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken

Serve these yogurt chicken kebabs with any type of summer side. Here are a few favorites:

Sour Cream Dill Potato Salad
Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad
Cilantro Rice
Easy Coleslaw Recipe
Cauliflower Tabbouleh
Chopped Greek Salad

For a Mediterranean inspired meal, pair these kebabs with naan bread, Tzatziki Yogurt Sauce, Greek Cucumber Salad, Quinoa Salad with Avocado, or a Layered Hummus Dip.

Best Way to Reheat Chicken Kebabs

I found the best way to reheat leftover chicken kebabs is on the stovetop. They turn out incredibly juicy and flavorful every time!

Melt a tablespoon (or two –depending on the amount of leftovers) of butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer (make sure the chicken is off the skewers) and cook until heated through, about 2-3 minutes per side.

WATCH: How to Make a Simple Marinade for Chicken Skewers

Want to see step-by-step on how to make yogurt marinated chicken kebabs? Watch the video below!

More Grilled Chicken Recipes

Spicy Honey Chicken Sweet Potato Kebabs
Chicken Gyros Recipe
Cilantro Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa
Balsamic Grilled Chicken
Grilled Orange Chicken

More Favorites from Little Broken

Stewed Chicken Recipe
Chicken and Mushroom Stroganoff
Rosemary Garlic Potatoes

Panko Baked Cod
Creamy Coconut Shrimp Recipe

Easy Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Baked Herb Chicken
Broccolini Pasta Recipe

Simple Marinade for Chicken Skewers

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 6 reviews

Author: Katya
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 min
Total Time: 30 mins
Yield: 4-6 1x
Category: Main
Method: Grilled
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Print Recipe

Description

Juicy and tender yogurt marinated chicken kebabs with garlic, spices, lemon, and cilantro.

Ingredients

UnitsScale

1 cup whole milk Greek yogurt
4 garlic cloves, minced or grated with microplane
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 cup yellow onion, grated with a box-grater
Zest from 1 lemon
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 lbs. boneless, skinless, chicken thighs, cut into 2-inch chunks

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Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the ingredients for the marinade: yogurt, garlic, paprika, cumin, onion, lemon zest and juice, olive oil, cilantro, salt, and pepper.
Add the chicken to the marinade and stir to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours up to overnight.
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grease the grill grates thoroughly as the yogurt marinade makes the chicken stick to the grates.
Thread the chicken onto skewers and grill the chicken kabobs until golden brown and cooked through, turning the skewers occasionally, 13 to 15 minutes. If necessary, use a metal BBQ spatula to scrape underneath the kabobs to release prior to turning.
Serve immediately. You can keep the chicken on the skewers or feel free to take it off.

Notes

Onion: Use a box grater with large holes to grate the onion. Grating the onion releases some of the juices which makes the meat tender.
Skewers: If using wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in cold water for at least 1 hour before using so they don’t burn.

Nutrition

Serving Size:
Calories: 282
Sugar: 2.7 g
Sodium: 576 mg
Fat: 13.4 g
Carbohydrates: 4.8 g
Protein: 34.5 g
Cholesterol: 148.2 mg

Recipe originally published 5/28/2015.

27 comments on “Chicken Skewer Marinade”

Jena — August 13, 2023 @ 6:22 PM Reply
Hi! I LOVE this recipe! Do you know if this can be frozen? If so, is it best to freeze the marinade alone or add it to the chicken first? Thank you!
- Katya — August 14, 2023 @ 9:54 AM Reply
  Hi Jena: I’m not so sure how it will do marinated raw since there’s Greek yogurt and it can turn grainy when thawed.
Johnna — July 8, 2021 @ 4:24 PM Reply
Can you use fat free Greek yogurt?
- Katya — July 15, 2021 @ 11:10 AM Reply
  it should be fine
M Rahman — January 6, 2021 @ 11:36 AM Reply
It was yummy…….!
Heather L — August 24, 2020 @ 9:49 PM Reply
Made this tonight as a protein accompaniment to NYT Roasted New Potatoes with Garlic and Tamarind. We loved your recipe! Only two minor modifications…used dried onion flakes as forgot to buy an onion and grilled boneless skinless thighs whole vs kebabs. Served with a side of grilled broccoli. 10/10.
- Katya — August 25, 2020 @ 2:06 PM Reply
  Thank you! So happy to hear that.
Erin — January 5, 2019 @ 11:07 AM Reply
This recipe turned out great! The chicken was perfectly tender and very flavorful. We served it over rice with a side of roasted red peppers. This was a filling, easy, and delicious meal. Thanks for the recipe!
- Katya — January 6, 2019 @ 7:57 PM Reply
  Thank you Erin! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Erica — November 26, 2018 @ 7:08 PM Reply
Yumm!! Just made this and it’s so tasty! I cut the chicken into chunks then baked it at 375 for 25 minutes and broiled on low for 10 minutes to crisp it up a little.
- Katya — November 27, 2018 @ 12:32 PM Reply
  Thank you Erica! Love it that you baked it.
Ramya — February 16, 2017 @ 2:40 PM Reply
Can you bake these in the oven? If yes, at what temperature?
They look delish!
- Katya — February 16, 2017 @ 5:33 PM Reply
  I haven’t tried it in the oven so I can’t really answer with certainty but if you do try it, I would love to know how they turn out for you. Thanks 🙂
Colleen — May 17, 2016 @ 4:04 PM Reply
The picture of this recipe made me so hungry. Have you ever tried baking these?
- Katya — May 17, 2016 @ 5:52 PM Reply
  No I have not, unfortunately. Thanks Colleen!
Sara — January 17, 2016 @ 5:47 AM Reply
We had these kababs for lunch today! Super yummy and very easy to make.. Thank u for sharing the recipe !
- Katya — January 17, 2016 @ 12:59 PM Reply
  That’s so awesome! Glad you enjoyed them. Thank you for your feedback 🙂
Julie - Lovely Little Kitchen — June 1, 2015 @ 9:22 AM Reply
I can tell by your pics these are super tender and delicious! I love dinner ideas like this because everyone loves chicken and there is so little cleanup!
- Katya — June 2, 2015 @ 9:31 PM Reply
  I completely agree Julie! Can never go wrong with chicken and kebabs 😉
Thao @ In Good Flavor — June 1, 2015 @ 8:52 AM Reply
These kebabs look tender and scrumptious! Another great, easy recipe Katya!
- Katya — June 2, 2015 @ 9:30 PM Reply
  Thanks Thao!
Tania — May 31, 2015 @ 10:25 AM Reply
Just in time for BBQ season. These kebabs look great and the recipe is easy to follow!
- Katya — June 1, 2015 @ 12:03 AM Reply
  Thanks Tania! I’m all about easy and quick these days 🙂
Nadia — May 29, 2015 @ 6:37 PM Reply
These kebabs are so yummy looking I want to eat one now. 😉 thanks for the recipe!!
- Katya — May 30, 2015 @ 11:02 PM Reply
  Thanks Nadia 🙂 Hope you enjoy them!
Valentina @Valentina's Corner — May 28, 2015 @ 1:09 PM Reply
These look perfect! Mmm. We love kebabs as well and have them all the time. Going on my to do list, thank you for the recipe!!! ☺
- Katya — May 29, 2015 @ 11:09 AM Reply
  Thanks girl! We do too and these can not be any easier to put together.