Chicken Skewer Marinade
Juicy and tender Yogurt Marinated Chicken Kebabs with garlic, spices, lemon, and cilantro.
Jump to:
- Chicken Kabob Marinade Recipe
- Chicken Kabob Marinade Ingredients
- How to Marinate Chicken Kebabs with Greek Yogurt
- How to Bake Skewers with Chicken Kebab Marinade
- What to Serve with Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken
- Best Way to Reheat Chicken Kebabs
- WATCH: How to Make a Simple Marinade for Chicken Skewers
- More Grilled Chicken Recipes
- More Favorites from Little Broken
- Simple Marinade for Chicken Skewers
- You May Also Like…
Chicken Kabob Marinade Recipe
I’ve been using this chicken marinade for years, maybe even decades at this point, and it’s still one of my favorite ways to flavor chicken!
Not only does it use simple ingredients I almost always have on hand, but it keeps my chicken tender and juicy while providing a savory, zesty, subtly spicy flavor that leaves all my guests practically licking their plates.
Plus, it makes mealtimes easy when I know I’m going to have a busy week! I just prep the ingredients a day in advance, and let the chicken marinate overnight. Then, all I have to do is cook it up the next day, and it tastes like I spent hours in the kitchen!
These are just a few of the reasons why this recipe has remained one of the most popular on the blog with a five-star rating and glowing reviews. Try it out for yourself, and you’ll never need another chicken marinade again!
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. For more tips on marinating chicken, check out our Mexican chicken marinade recipe.
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 Marinate Chicken Kebabs with Greek Yogurt
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:
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
More Favorites from Little Broken
If you try our chicken skewer marinade, please leave a star rating and a comment letting us know how you liked the recipe.
Print
Simple Marinade for Chicken Skewers
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Description
Juicy and tender yogurt marinated chicken kebabs with garlic, spices, lemon, and cilantro.
Ingredients
- 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
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.
You May Also Like…
Hi! I'm Katya -- a former corporate paralegal turned full-time recipe developer and blogger behind Little Broken. Here you'll find family-friendly and seasonal recipes made from real ingredients.
Thanks heaps Katya. Second time making these: first time for a picnic (they’re so good cold too) and then at home cos I was craving them 😄
So tasty and moist. Big hit with all those who’ve tasted them too.
Sorry I just realized the sauce wasn’t from this recipe. My mind is all over the place LOL
Hi! I made this and it was absolutely delicious!
I’d like to make this for a crowd but I’m wondering if I marinade it overnight, if I can cut the prep work by leaving the thighs as is, instead of skewering them. Do you prefer the kabobs over leaving the thighs whole for any reason?
Thanks!
Hi Jena: I’m glad you’re loving this recipe! I would leave the thighs whole if serving for a crowd. It makes prep work easier the night before and definitely day of when cooking for many people.
Thank you so much for your quick response!!
Am I able to make the coconut dressing the night before? Will this be ok in the fridge and let the flavors blend more?
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!
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.
Can you use fat free Greek yogurt?
it should be fine
It was yummy…….!
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.
Thank you! So happy to hear that.
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!
Thank you Erin! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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.
Thank you Erica! Love it that you baked it.
Can you bake these in the oven? If yes, at what temperature?
They look delish!
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 🙂
The picture of this recipe made me so hungry. Have you ever tried baking these?
No I have not, unfortunately. Thanks Colleen!
We had these kababs for lunch today! Super yummy and very easy to make.. Thank u for sharing the recipe !
That’s so awesome! Glad you enjoyed them. Thank you for your feedback 🙂
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!
I completely agree Julie! Can never go wrong with chicken and kebabs 😉
These kebabs look tender and scrumptious! Another great, easy recipe Katya!
Thanks Thao!
Just in time for BBQ season. These kebabs look great and the recipe is easy to follow!
Thanks Tania! I’m all about easy and quick these days 🙂
These kebabs are so yummy looking I want to eat one now. 😉 thanks for the recipe!!
Thanks Nadia 🙂 Hope you enjoy them!
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!!! ☺
Thanks girl! We do too and these can not be any easier to put together.