Ingredients
2½ to 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (preferred for juiciness) or chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into 1½-inch pieces
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 (adjust to taste)
Zest from one lemon
2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 to 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1¾ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 large red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
Optional: bell peppers (red and yellow), zucchini, cut into similar-sized chunks
Vegetable oil for greasing the grill
Fresh parsley and crumbled feta cheese for garnish (optional)
Tzatziki sauce for serving
Instructions
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, crushed red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, and minced garlic to create the marinade.
2. Trim excess fat from the chicken and cut into evenly sized pieces, about 1 to 1½ inches.
3. Thread chicken pieces and red onion chunks alternately onto metal or soaked wooden skewers, leaving space between pieces. Add optional vegetables if desired. Use approximately 6–8 skewers.
4. Place the skewers on a foil-lined baking sheet, brush generously with marinade, and cover. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight for best flavor; if using chicken breasts, marinate up to 4 hours to prevent mushiness.
5. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grease grates by dipping a wad of paper towels in vegetable oil and rubbing carefully with tongs to prevent sticking.
6. Grill kabobs for 13 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and cooked through. Use a metal spatula or tongs to gently loosen if they stick to the grill.
7. Remove kabobs and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with crumbled feta and chopped parsley if desired, and serve with tzatziki sauce and lemon wedges for an authentic touch.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🍗 Opt for chicken thighs for juicier kabobs that withstand acidic marinades.
🔪 Soak wooden skewers in water for 20 to 30 minutes to prevent burning; use metal skewers for durability.
🌿 Marinade leftovers can be stored in a fridge for up to 4 days; flavor improves over time.
- Prep Time: 35-40 minutes
- Marinating: 8 hours to overnight
- Cook Time: 13-15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 kabob
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 871mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 186mg
