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

yogurt marinated chicken kebabs this 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.

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.

greek yogurt chicken marinade

Ingredients for Yogurt Chicken Kebabs

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
ingredients for yogurt marinated chicken kebobs

How to Make Chicken Kebabs

  • 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.
greek yogurt chicken marinade in a bowl
  • Prepare the chicken: Trim chicken thighs of any excess fat. Cut each thigh into 2-inch chunks and place in a large bowl.
  • 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.
chicken in a bowl with yogurt marinade
  • 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.
grilled chicken on skewers

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.

Can These Be Baked?

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 Yogurt Chicken Kebabs

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.

yogurt chicken kebabs

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.

Video: How to Make Yogurt Marinated Chicken Kebabs

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

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yogurt marinated chicken kebabs

Yogurt Marinated Chicken Kebabs

★★★★★ 5 from 5 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
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Description

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

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 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

  1. 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.
  2. Add the chicken to the marinade and stir to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours up to overnight.
  3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grease the grill grates thoroughly as the yogurt marinade makes the chicken stick to the grates. 
  4. 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. 
  5. 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.
  • Recipe originally published 5/28/2015. 

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

Keywords: kebabs, summer, yogurt marinade