This delicious recipe for Lemony Marinated Chicken Skewers features an irresistible blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors. Chicken is quickly marinated with a vibrant burst of lemon, garlic, herbs and spices. It’s the perfect recipe for grilling and summer cookouts.
Here in Southern California we love to grill. Hot summer days seem made for for cooking and eating outdoors. During the warmer months we love grilling for our family and friends. I make salads, prepare various chilled mezze, and blend batches of icy limonana to keep everybody cool in the hot summer sun.
Nearly every time we grill, I serve some version of this lemony marinade. It’s a perfect combination of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors – lemon, herbs, spices, and garlic. Sometimes I add a little more cayenne for a kick, other times I use more lemon for tartness. No matter which little tweaks I make, the chicken always turns out tender and tasty. Use chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful result.
I recommend serving these skewers with toum, a tasty Middle Eastern garlic dipping sauce. This is truly one of my favorite summer grilling marinades. I know you will love it!
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Lemony Marinated Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs I prefer thighs
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons fresh minced cilantro or parsley I prefer cilantro
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
NOTES
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into 1 ½ inch strips for skewering. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, cilantro or parsley, crushed garlic, paprika, salt, cumin, turmeric and cayenne pepper. Place the chicken pieces in a glass dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken and stir to coat. Cover with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator and let the chicken marinate for 20 minutes. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water while the chicken is marinating.
- Generously grease the grill and heat over medium. Skewer the chicken, evenly divided between 6-8 skewers.
- Place the skewers on the hot grill and cook for 10-15 minutes, turning once during cooking, until cooked through. Serve hot.
Laura says
Made this for a wine tasting party. Rave reviews from guests. Everyone wanted the recipe. Thank you for a great recipe. So easy, too.
Angelo says
A friend sent me this recipe. Wow! It was pretty easy to whip up, and it was fantastic. I only marinated for 2 hours, I will try 24 hours next time. I will be checking out your other recipes
Fay says
Just made these(as chicken fingers in a cast iron) and it is the best tasting chicken I have ever had!
The blend of spices is warm and dynamic. It was simple to make and I appreciated the quick 20 minute marinade.
Your recipes never disappoint.
Tori Avey says
So glad you enjoyed it Fay! This is one of my family’s favorites – so quick, easy, and delish.
Natana Bitton says
Hi Tori!
I made your Rainbow Salad for Rosh Hashanah, and it was a big hit.
For your Lemony Marinated Chicken Skewers, can you use a grill frypan stovetop? I have no grill.
Thanks!!!
Tori Avey says
So glad you enjoyed the salad! You can absolutely use a grill pan here, I’ve done that with great results. Enjoy!
Jessica Ballenger says
Absolutely delicious! We used parsley and chicken thighs. Every bite was eaten. Even our picky eater cleared her plate!
Artie says
Fantastic for lunch today.
Lori says
Really delicious!!!!
The flavor combination was perfect! I served with Israeli couscous, Israeli salad and tahini.
My hard to impress husband declared he wants me to double the recipe next time so he can have leftovers. ?
Missy says
I love a good dip for skewers. What would you suggest to go along with this?
Tori Avey says
I usually serve these without, they have a ton of flavor on their own. These sauces would complement the flavors nicely:
https://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/tahini-sauce/
https://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/toum-middle-eastern-garlic-sauce/
https://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/fresh-lemon-herb-sauce/
Josie Linden says
Awesome as looks delish
I’ll try it
Thanks for sharing
Reuben says
One of my absolute favorite recipes. I use this chicken and make gyros. So delicious.
Kit says
I tinkered around with this recipe and added some things. I use a tablespoon of tomato paste, a tablespoon of sumac, the sumac is really the key, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. I marinate for about 5 hours and then grill 7 minutes per side. I put red bell peppers and red onion on different skewers and grill. Serve with a variety of olives and feta. I also use your recipe for tahini sauce. Delicious.
Tori Avey says
I’ve been slightly obsessed with sumac lately… certainly couldn’t hurt here! It’s a very adaptable marinade. Glad you’re enjoying it and the tahini sauce!
Beverly says
Fantastic! Wasn’t a huge fan of lemon chicken in the past but this recipe has definitely converted me. Great flavours with the spice combination. I’m going to a bbq later this week & plan to bring these as I’m sure they will impress.
Jenny says
I was pleasantly surprised that this came out looking exactly like the picture! Easy to throw together, beautiful presentation (thank you, tumeric!), and tastes great on a salad!
Daisy says
Hi Tori, thank you for the recipe, sounds delicious. One question though – when you say paprika, do you mean just normal one or smoked? Thank you!
Tori Avey says
Regular paprika. 🙂
Christie says
Delicious and full of amazing flavor. I used fresh cilantro, it worked beautifully with the lemon and heat. I probably won’t even try the parsley.
Kim L says
We LOVE this recipe! We make this chicken probably once a week. Instead of using cilantro we just used dried parsley. So delicious and easy! I’ve gotten my sisters family hooked on this too.
Frieda Smidt says
I am starting a catering venue for weddings. This helped me so much to see how much of what ingredient to use. Thank you
Carrie says
Delicious! I’m a lemon lover. Thanks for sharing!
Stacy says
Thanks Tori! This was very tasty and easy to make. I cut down on the cayenne pepper for the smalls in the house but otherwise made it as written. I served it w/ your saffron rice (a longtime favorite in our house!) and an arugula salad. Fist bite from my hubby got the “I’d like to eat this again!” review.
Josie says
Ive tried your lemony marinated chicken skewers and its delish. Perfect and not dry & flavorful. Its part now of my favorite recipes. Thank you
Tori Avey says
Great Josie! Thank you for writing 🙂