Ingredients
2 1/2 to 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, trimmed and cut into 1 to 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup plain Greek yogurt (whole milk or 2% fat recommended)
2 to 1/4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
1 to 2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon cumin (optional)
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste for heat)
Zest of one lemon
2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Vegetables for skewering (optional): large chunks of red onion, red and yellow bell peppers, zucchini slices
Vegetable oil or olive oil for greasing the grill
Garnishes and sides (optional): crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh parsley, tzatziki sauce, pita bread, Greek salad
Instructions
1. Prepare the marinade by whisking together Greek yogurt, olive oil, garlic, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, lemon zest, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
2. Trim excess fat from the chicken and cut into uniform bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
3. Place the chicken in the marinade, ensuring all pieces are coated thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least eight hours or overnight for thighs, or 30 minutes to 4 hours if using breasts to avoid mushiness from the acid.
4. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 to 30 minutes before assembling.
5. Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers, alternating with vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and zucchini if desired, spacing evenly but not overcrowding. Metal skewers are preferred as they are sturdy and reusable.
6. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, and grease the grates well with oil to prevent sticking.
7. Grill the kabobs approximately 13 to 15 minutes for thighs (about 10 minutes for breasts), turning every few minutes to cook evenly and baste with leftover marinade if desired, until golden brown and cooked through.
8. Use a metal spatula to help release any pieces that stick to the grill.
9. Transfer kabobs to a platter, garnish with crumbled feta cheese and parsley if desired, and serve immediately with accompaniments such as tzatziki sauce, pita bread, or a Greek salad.
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
🍋 Chicken thighs provide juicier, more tender kabobs that stand up well to marinade acidity; breasts are leaner but should not be marinated too long to avoid mushiness.
🔥 If short on time, skip skewers and grill chicken pieces and vegetables separately.
🧊 Leftover cooked kabobs can be stored refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Marinating Time: 8 hours
- Cook Time: 13 to 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
- Calories: 350-405
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 871-946mg
- Fat: 15-20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12-17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4-6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 41-51g
- Cholesterol: 146-186mg
