Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken Skewers - Chunks of juicy chicken are marinated in a spicy lemon garlic mixture and grilled until slightly charred on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. This simple recipe is going to become a summer favorite!
This lemon garlic chicken recipe is one of my favorite easy chicken recipes and a simple way to get the most flavor from your chicken skewers.
When it comes to grilling meat like chicken, grilled beef kebabs, grilled pork kabobs, or grilled shrimp skewers, the best flavor comes from two things: the marinade and the delicious grill marks! This recipe has both.
This marinade is made zesty, aromatic, earthy, and a bit spicy, and it all comes together quickly and easily. You’re going to love it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The explosion of flavor. It’s vibrant and earthy, with loads of lemon and garlic!
- It’s super simple to make. You marinate the chicken, skewer them with veggies, and they’re ready to hit the grill.
- A versatile marinade. It can be used for all kinds of chicken recipes!
- It’s food on a stick! The perfect meal for a summer BBQ, game day party, or weekend dinner on the patio.
Cooking Tips
- If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them for about 20-30 minutes before skewering. That way they won’t catch flames!
- Don’t forget to grease the grill. Use avocado or olive oil spray to ensure the meat won’t stick to the grill.
- If you think your meat is charring too quickly, lower the heat and move the meat to an area where there is no direct heat. Let the insides catch up to the outside.
- When they’re done, the internal temperature should be 165°F. Use a meat thermometer if you’re unsure.
- Let the skewers rest on a serving platter for a few minutes before serving. Tent with a piece of foil to keep them warm.
Ingredients for Lemon Garlic Chicken Skewers
For the skewers
- Chicken: Trim the fat off your boneless skinless chicken thighs and cut them into 1-inch cubes.
- Bell peppers and onions: I use both red bell peppers and green bell peppers, but you can choose whichever color you prefer. Cut the peppers and onions into 1-inch cubes as well so that they are even in size to the meat.
For the flavorful chicken marinade
- Minced garlic and ginger: For a pungent and aromatic flavor. The garlic and lemon together are amazing, while the ginger adds a zing!
- Red chili pepper flakes and cayenne pepper: For heat. You can add more or less depending on how spicy you want it.
- Garam masala: Adds an earthy element, which is great with the lemon juice and soy sauce.
- Lemon juice and soy sauce: The acid in freshly squeezed lemon juice helps to tenderize the chicken. The soy sauce gives it umami flavor.
- Tomato sauce: For a bit of tanginess and a darker color. The sugars in the sauce will also caramelize the outside for crispy edges.
- Olive oil: This helps to keep the meat moist and helps to distribute the marinade evenly.
How to Grill Chicken Skewers
Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the marinade and give it a good whisk.
Step 2: Add the cubes of chicken, bell peppers, and onions and mix well to ensure everything is evenly coated.
Step 3: Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge to marinate for at least a few hours. If you have the time or are prepping ahead, marinate them overnight.
Step 4: Grab your skewers and thread the chicken, onion, and bell peppers in any pattern you like. I recommend at least 2 or 3 pieces of meat per stick.
Step 5: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and oil the grate with olive oil or avocado spray.
Step 6: Once the grill is hot, place the skewers down in a single layer and cook until slightly charred and cooked all the way through. Rotate them so they cook evenly on all sides.
How Long to Cook Skewers on the Grill?
When using medium-high heat like we are, they’ll take about 10-15 minutes to cook through.
You also want to make sure all of your chicken pieces are cut to the same size and you’re rotating the skewers occasionally so they cook evenly.
If you choose to use lower heat or higher heat, the amount of time on the grill will differ. Using a thermometer is the best way to get an accurate reading.
What to Serve with Grilled Chicken Skewers
Complete your meal with mashed potatoes and Caesar salad or a refreshing cucumber tomato salad.
You can also remove the chicken, onions, and peppers from the skewers and serve them on a fresh pita bread with a drizzle of garlic yogurt sauce for a wrap!
Recipe FAQs
I prefer the dark meat of boneless skinless chicken thighs, as I think they provide the most flavor. Boneless skinless chicken breasts are also a great choice if you prefer white meat. They are easy to cut and provide a lot of meat in each bite.
Peppers and onions are a classic choice, but you can also add mushrooms, zucchini, summer squash, eggplant, etc.
Sometimes we don’t have a grill available, so into the oven they go! Bake them for about 20-25 minutes at 375°F or 15-20 minutes at 400°F.
The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). You can use a meat thermometer to check the chicken.
Yes, if you’re using wooden skewers, it’s a good idea to soak them in water for about 30 minutes before grilling. This helps prevent them from burning.
Grill chicken skewers at a medium-high temperature, around 375°F to 400°F. This allows them to cook thoroughly while achieving nice grill marks.
More Grilled Chicken Thigh Recipes
- Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs
- 5-ingredient Grilled Chicken Thighs (Chicken Shashlik)
- Grilled Chicken Shawarma Recipe (Video)
- Greek Chicken Thigh Marinade
- Chicken Marinade with Honey and Soy Sauce (Video)
When YOU make this lemon garlic chicken thigh skewers recipe please tag us @munchkintimeblog on Instagram, we would LOVE to see your creation!
If you tried this easy grilled chicken recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a * star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below.
📖 Recipe
Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs Skewers
Equipment
Ingredients
For Chicken Skewers
- 4-6 chicken thighs cut into 1-inch cubes, fat removed
- 1 green bell pepper cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 red bell pepper cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 large onion cut into 1-inch cubes
For Marinade
- ½ tablespoon garlic minced or finely chopped
- ½ tablespoon ginger minced or finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine ginger, garlic, red chili pepper flakes, garam masala, salt to taste, lemon juice, soy sauce, tomato sauce, and oil.
- Next, add the chicken, onion, and bell peppers to the bowl and mix well to coat them with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate it. Marinate for at least a few hours, preferably overnight.
- Assemble Skewers: Thread the onion, bell peppers, and marinated chicken onto soaked wooden skewers.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and grease it with avocado spray.
- Grill: Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 6-8 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice char. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- Serve: Remove from the grill and let rest for a couple of minutes. Serve with wedges of lemon and your favorite dipping sauce or over a fresh Caesar salad or easy mashed potatoes.
Notes
- If you’re using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for about 20-30 minutes before you start skewering. This little tip will help prevent them from catching fire on the grill!
- Don’t forget to give your grill a good spritz with some avocado or olive oil spray. This way, your delicious meat won’t stick and will cook up perfectly.
- If you notice that your meat is getting a little too charred on the outside, just turn down the heat and move it to a spot on the grill where there’s no direct heat. This will help the inside cook just right without overdoing the outside.
- When you think they’re done, make sure to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. A meat thermometer comes in handy if you're not sure!
- Once everything is cooked to perfection, let your skewers rest on a serving platter for a few minutes. You can cover them with a piece of foil to keep them warm and cozy until it’s time to dig in.
- Perfect Pairings: Serve with a side of tzatziki or garlic sauce for an extra layer of deliciousness. Enjoy your meal!
Nadezhda
So delicious!!!