Middle Eastern-Style Grilled Chicken Kabobs
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You’ll make these flavorful chicken kabobs all summer long.
One of my go-to chicken recipes for summer cookouts, these Middle-Eastern style grilled chicken kabobs are wonderful over a bed of rice pilaf or served with a Greek salad. The chicken is marinated in yogurt, olive oil, lemon, garlic and spices, and then grilled over an open flame until juicy and golden brown. The only time-consuming part of the recipe is threading the meat and onions onto skewers. Short on time? Skip the skewers and grill the chicken pieces whole, and slice the red onions into large wedges and pop them right on the grill. A word to the wise: make more than you think you’ll need. The first time I made these chicken kabobs for a crowd, I actually ran out of food!
What You’ll Need to Make grilled Chicken Kabobs
I’ve specified boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe; they’re juicier and more flavorful than boneless skinless chicken breasts, and they also hold up better when using an acidic marinade; yogurt or lemon-based marinades can make boneless skinless chicken breasts leathery. Chicken thighs are also much easier to cook without drying out. (If you’d like to experiment with other chicken thigh recipes, BBQ-spiced chicken thighs and char siu chicken are both huge crowd pleasers.)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Marinade
In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, olive oil, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper and garlic.
Stir to combine.
Step 2: Prep the Chicken and Thread onto Skewers
Trim the chicken of any excess fat and gristle. Don’t worry about getting every last bit of fat; most of it will melt off on the grill. Then cut the meat into bite-size pieces. I think it’s easiest to use kitchen shears as opposed to a knife.
Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers alternating with the red onions. Metal skewers are ideal as they won’t catch fire on the grill. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes first so they’re slower to char on the grill.
Step 3: Marinate the Chicken
Place the kabobs on a baking sheet lined with foil, and then brush the marinade all over the meat, coating well. Cover and let the kabobs sit in the fridge for at least 8 hours or overnight.
Step 4: Grill the Kabobs
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, grease well, and then grill the kabobs until golden brown.
Serve and enjoy!
Chicken Kabob Video Tutorial
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Middle Eastern-Style Grilled Chicken Kabobs
You’ll make these flavorful chicken kabobs all summer long.
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (reduce to ½ teaspoon for less heat)
- Zest from one lemon
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from one lemon
- 1¾ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2½ to 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1½-inch pieces (see note)
- 1 large red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
- Vegetable oil, for greasing the grill
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, olive oil, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper and garlic.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up. Thread the chicken onto metal skewers, folding if the pieces are long and thin, alternating with the red onions. Be sure not to cram the skewers. (Note: You'll need between 6-8 skewers.) Place the kabobs on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the marinade all over the meat, coating well. Cover and refrigerate at least eight hours or overnight.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. To grease the grill, lightly dip a wad of paper towels in vegetable oil and, using tongs, carefully rub over the grates several times until glossy and coated. Grill the chicken kabobs until golden brown and cooked through, turning the skewers occasionally, 13 to 15 minutes. (The yogurt marinade makes these kabobs prone to sticking to the grill grates; if necessary, use a metal BBQ spatula to scrape underneath the kabobs and release them.) Transfer the kabobs to a platter and serve.
- Note: I've specified boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe; they're juicier and more flavorful than chicken breasts, and they work better in this type of yogurt and lemon-based marinade. They're also much easier to cook without drying out.
Pair with
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (6 servings)
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Sugar: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 41g
- Sodium: 871mg
- Cholesterol: 186mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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Comments
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So good! The first time I made this recipe, I used boneless skinless thighs and marinated overnight. It was amazing. The second time, I used chicken breasts and only marinated for an hour. It was also amazing! You can’t go wrong with this marinade. Can’t wait to make again and again.
I don’t have a grill. What indoor cooking method would best replicate outdoor grilling?
Hi Sharon, I’d use the broiler in your oven — I’d flip them once or twice like you would on the grill so they brown evenly – the cook time will be about the same. Hope you enjoy!
This was delicious but I changed the oil to garlic oil as I have family member who can’t have garlic – just delicious – I also added zucchini and capsicum and served with Greek yoghurt/parsley/lemon dressing – a true easy hit thank you.
We love this recipe. My fussy child absolutely adores it, especially BBQed. I double the seasoning though!
Wow – I have never heard so many compliments from my family about a meal. I made the kebabs and a few of your other recipes (basmati rice, israeli salad, tzatziki, hummus and pita). (from the 9 middle eastern recipes you should make). All were delicious. Aside from a fair amount of chopping, the recipes were so easy to make. Thank you!
Make this recipe!! This was simply delicious. I made it in the broiler and simply laid the kabobs on a sheet pan lined with foil, turning occasionally. Perfection! Jenn – you are beginning to ruin us for restaurants! Other than in Syria itself, this is the best chicken kabob I have ever had. It was a hit with the whole family and friends group. Amazing with the recommended rice with fruits and nuts (also another Jenn winner).
This chicken is delicious. I don’t go through the trouble to make kabobs. I leave the chicken thighs whole and grill them on my cast iron griddle on my gas grill. They are scrumptious.
Have made on the grill many times. Wonderful. BUT when I used the broiler – 2x- the coating stuck to the pan after I turned them over. Didn’t look attractive when I served them.., If I preheat the broiler pan, before putting the kabobs on it, can I skip turning them???
Thank you.
Sorry they stuck, Diana. Yes, what you’ve suggested is fine. 🙂
Can these be cooked in the oven/under the broiler?
Sure, you can broil them, flipping once or twice like you would on the grill so they brown evenly – the cook time will be about the same. Hope you enjoy!
Hi Jenn,
Can I marinate the chicken for more than 24 hours, say 48 hours? I’d like to prep Saturday night to grill Monday night. How long is the maximum you would recommend letting the chicken sit in the marinade?
I’ve made this before with an overnight marinade and it was sensational. My guests loved it. And now I’m making it for them again.
Thanks so much for your recipes!
Nancy
Glad you like it, Nancy! 48 hours should be fine for marinating, but I wouldn’t exceed that.