Easy Marinated Chicken Kebab

These chicken kebabs are quick and easy to prepare yet so irresistibly juicy and packed with succulent flavor in every bite. Made with simple ingredients, homemade chicken kebab makes for a healthy and delicious meal that’s perfect for any occasion!

What is Chicken Kebab?

Chicken kebab, also known as chicken shish kebab or chicken tikka kebab, is one of my all-time favorite dishes to make for multiple reasons.

Not only are these chicken skewers quick & easy to prepare, but they are a flavorful source of protein that pairs well with a wide variety of side dishes to make a delicious, well-balanced meal.

Rooted in Middle Eastern cuisine, the word kebab signifies meat, fish, and/or vegetables roasted or grilled on a skewer, which has now claimed immense popularity all across the world with different variations of the dish.

When I first shared this chicken skewers served over garlic turmeric rice on Instagram, I received countless requests for the recipe which made it my top priority to share my easy chicken kebab for all of you to enjoy.

These middle eastern style kebabs are soaked in a chicken kebab marinade made with yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices to flavor and tenderize the chicken overnight, which can be baked or grilled depending on your preference. 

Best of all, these chicken kebabs are so incredibly simple to prepare and are one of the best ways to make the juiciest, most tender pieces of chicken, all thanks to the ultra-flavorful yogurt marinade.

How do you make the Chicken Kebab Marinade?

One ingredient I always try to have in my kitchen is yogurt as it is perfect for adding a touch of creaminess to a variety of my meals, but it is also ones of the best ingredients to use when making a chicken kebab marinade. 

Aside from making the chicken extra flavorful, the lactic acid and calcium in yogurt tenderize the chicken and help keep it moist during the cooking process, especially when the chicken is cooked over incredibly hot temperatures. 

This makes yogurt the ideal marinade to use when cooking the chicken on the grill or in the oven, which gives the kebabs that beautiful char whilst maintaining all that juice and tenderness on the inside.

What do I need to make chicken kebabs?

This chicken kebab recipe is often my go-to for my weekly meal preps as they are quick and easy to prepare, and calls for ingredients that are easily found in your kitchen.

Here are all the ingredients you will need:

• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: you can also use chicken breast upon preference, but I highly recommend using thighs as it results in juicier and more flavorful kabobs.
• Red onion, red and green bell pepper: added to the skewers for additional flavor and texture. You can also prepare the chicken on its own, or use your own preferred vegetables!
• Plain yogurt: 2% or whole-milk plain yogurt will work best for this recipe.
  • You may use greek yogurt as well, but I’d suggest diluting the yogurt with a little water or milk to loosen the texture a bit. 
• Olive oil + lemon juice: to add additional flavor and moisture to the chicken.
• Garlic: for that delicious garlicky flavor.
• Tomato paste, paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper: to season the marinade.
• Fresh parsley: optional, for garnish

And that’s it! All the ingredients you’ll need to make the chicken kebabs in the comfort of your home.

How to cook chicken kebabs in the oven or a grill

Although kebabs are traditionally cooked on a grill, it may not be the most accessible method for everyone which is why I will be sharing both options for you to choose from.

Cooking chicken kebabs in oven also creates less mess to ensure minimal cleanup after the kabobs are done cooking, which can be especially helpful for the weekdays.

Cooking chicken kebab in the oven

To cook your chicken kebab in the oven, simply line your baking tray with aluminum foil or any broiler-safe material, then cook for about 20-25 minutes at 450°F (or 230°C), or until the internal temperature registers 165°F (or 74°C).

Make sure to flip the kabobs halfway through to ensure the chicken is evenly cooked, and run it on broil for about 2-3 minutes if you would like that beautiful golden brown char on your chicken. 

Cooking chicken kebab on the grill

To cook your chicken kebab on the grill, preheat and grease your grill and cook the kabobs until golden brown and cooked through, turning skewers occasionally for about 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature registers 165°F (or 74°C).

What to serve with chicken kebabs

One of the best things about these chicken kebabs is just how versatile they are, as they are a flavorful source of protein that pairs well with practically any side dish that you can think of. 🙂

Here are some of my favorite side dishes to serve with chicken kabobs:

Rice: I highly recommend serving this over a steamy bowl of garlic turmeric rice, as the heavenly aromas of this soft and fluffy rice perfectly complement the kebabs, and turns it into an ultra comforting meal. Coconut rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice are also great options.

Naan: pita bread, or dinner rolls. A plate of warm bread also makes for a wonderful side dish to some freshly cooked kebabs. You really can’t go wrong with bread!

Salad: I love serving chicken kebabs with either alongside a bowl of mixed salad or a Persian salad seasoned with some olive oil, lime juice, dried mint, salt, and black pepper.

Garlic yogurt: yogurt sauce makes for a perfect addition to your kabobs, and can be served with all three options above.

To make the garlic yogurt sauce: simply combine 1/2 cup greek yogurt, a dash of olive oil, 1-2 cloves of garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.

All of these side dishes will perfectly pair with your chicken kebabs to make up a satisfying meal that is full of irresistable flavors, well-balanced, and comforting.

If you are serving to multiple guests, I highly recommend preparing a few of the options above for the guests to have a variety of options to choose from!

Sharing a meal with your loved ones is truly one of the best ways to heal your soul, and these chicken kebabs are the perfect crowd-pleaser that caters to a variety of different palates.

Best of all, they are so simple to make and can be a great activity amongst guests to prepare together as well!

I hope this easy & delicious chicken kebab recipe brightens up your week, and please do leave me a comment below or send me a message on Instagram if you have any questions. Happy cooking everyone!

Other easy Dinner recipes you may like:

• The Best Spicy Chicken Sandwich
• Easy Mongolian Chicken
• Melt-In-Your-Mouth Italian Meatballs
• Easy Dakdoritang (Spicy Korean Chicken Stew)
• Easy Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Print Recipe

5 from 24 votes

Easy Marinated Chicken Kebab

These chicken kebabs are quick and easy to prepare yet so irresistibly juicy and packed with succulent flavor in every bite. Made with simple ingredients, homemade chicken kebab makes for a healthy and delicious meal that’s perfect for any occasion!

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time40 mins

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Meal Prep

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Servings: 2 people

Ingredients

• 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into small chunks
• 1 cup red onion and bell pepper or any vegetables of choice, optional
• garlic turmeric rice naan or salad, to serve
• fresh parsley, lemon, and/or yogurt sauce to serve, optional

Chicken Kebab Marinade

• 1 cup plain yogurt 2% or full fat
• 6 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp oregano dried, or 1 tbsp fresh
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

• Combine all marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Add chicken and vegetables if using, and toss until they are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 450°F (or 230°C). Prepare a baking tray by lining it with aluminum foil or any broiler-safe material (for grilling instructions, please see the notes below).
• Thread the marinated chicken and vegetables onto a set of metal skewers, and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature registers 165°F (or 74°C).
• Switch the oven to broil and cook for another 2-3 minutes for a lightly charred finish. Garnish and serve with your preferred sides dishes. Enjoy!

Notes

Grilling instructions: preheat, grease, and grill the kabobs until golden brown, turning skewers occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature registers 165°F (or 74°C).

I recommend using metal skewers, but if you are using wooden skewers, I recommend soaking them in water for at least half an hour before using them to protect them from burning in the oven. 

For serving ideas and ingredient details, please refer to the blog post above. Happy cooking everyone!

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