Easy Greek grilled chicken skewers (2024)

ByAlida Ryder PublishedJuly 11, 2023April 28, 2024 UpdatedApril 28, 2024

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Juicy grilled chicken skewers marinated in olive oil, lemon, garlic, oregano and rosemary is a delicious, healthy dinner recipe.

Ingredients needed

Chicken breasts.Boneless chicken thighs can also be used.
Olive oil.
Fresh lemon juice.
Garlic.
Oregano. Fresh or dried.
Rosemary.
Sweet Paprika.Not entirely traditional in Greek cooking but I love the color it gives the marinade.
Salt and pepper.
Red onion. (optional)

How to make grilled chicken skewers

Marinate the chicken: Slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks (approximately 5cm/2in) and place in a large bowl. Combine olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, rosemary, chopped garlic, paprika, salt and pepper and mix well. Pour over the chicken, toss to coat the chicken in the marinade then cover and marinade for at least 20 minutes but up to 24 hours.
Skewer and grill:Soak bamboo/wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes or alternatively use metal skewers. Thread chicken and chunks of red onion onto skewers. Other veggies like zucchini or bell peppers can be added too. Heat your grill/braai/barbecue or a grill pan on the stove. Because the chicken cooks relatively quickly high heat works well for this recipe. Cook the chicken skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until the chicken is cooked through but still tender, 8-10 minutes in total. Remove from the heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Can I make this in the oven?

Yes, you can. Preheat the broiler (also called a grill or top element) of your oven on its highest setting. Place the skewers on a wire rack set over a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil the chicken, turning every 2-3 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (approximately 10 minutes).

Making ahead and freezing

Make ahead: The chicken can be marinated up to a day in advance. Skewers can be assembled and kept in an airtight container in the fridge up to a day in advance. Cooked skewers will last for 2-3 days in the fridge.
Freezing:The assembled, uncooked skewers can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before cooking.

What to serve with chicken skewers

These Greek grilled skewers are delicious served with vegetables like corn on the cob or a Greek salad made with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives and feta cheese or a simple cucumber tomato salad. Other great side dishes are air fryer asparagus, easy couscous salad, creamy potato salad, flatbread/pita bread or crispy potatoes.

Chicken skewer recipes

Easy herby lemon chicken skewers
Hawaiian chicken skewers
Easy chicken satay with peanut sauce

Greek grilled chicken skewers

Juicy grilled chicken skewers marinated in olive oil, lemon, garlic, oregano and rosemary is a delicious, healthy dinner recipe.

4.41 from 108 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Greek

Keyword: baked Greek chicken, chicken skewers, Grilled chicken skewers

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Marinating time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Calories: 283kcal

Author: Alida Ryder

Servings: 6

Ingredients

1 kg (2lbs) chicken breasts boneless, skinless
¼ cup olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
4 garlic cloves finely chopped/crushed
½ tsp sweet paprika
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp rosemary finely chopped
½ tsp pepper
1 tsp salt

For the skewers

1 red onion sliced into 2cm/1in chunks

Instructions

Slice the chicken into bite-sized chunks, approximately 5cm/2in in size.
Mix all the marinade ingredients together and pour over the chicken.
Toss to coat the chicken in the marinade then cover and marinade for at least 30 minutes but up to 24 hours in the fridge.
Soak bamboo skewers in hot water for 30 minutes or alternatively use metal skewers.
Thread marinated chicken and red onion onto skewers then brush with the remaining marinade.
Cook on a hot grill or in a griddle pan on the stove for 2-3 minutes per side until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, approximately 10 minutes in total.
Remove from the heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Table of Contents

1 Ingredients needed
2 How to make grilled chicken skewers
3 Can I make this in the oven?
4 Making ahead and freezing
5 What to serve with chicken skewers
6 Chicken skewer recipes
7 Greek grilled chicken skewers
- 7.1 Ingredients
  - 7.1.1 For the skewers
- 7.2 Instructions
- 7.3 Nutrition

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So glad I came across your recipe. Made these in the oven last night (after marinating chicken for 24 hours) and they turned out so so juicy and full of flavour! And so easy to make. I just subbed the onions for green and yellow peppers (because I didn’t feel like cutting an onion heh). Thank you for this recipe!
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1. Yay! I’m so happy to hear that.
  Reply
Can I cook and reheat on the day off? How do I keep them from drying out when I reheat?
Reply
1. You could but they definitely stand a chance of drying out so keep the reheating to a minimum. Alternatively, marinate and assemble the skewers a few days ahead and cook the day of serving.
  Reply
Better than skewers I have jad in a greek restaurant. I us chicken thighs and add onion salt. If the pantry allows a couple of sage leaves (also the lemon rind)
Thank you for sharing
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I just tried this recipe and I loved it. Delicious!
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Fabulous easy, tasty recipe, our new favourite! Great paired with flatbreads which are also incredibly easy to make. I’ve frozen some, hopefully they’ll be as good as making them fresh.
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What a delicious, quick, easy, and healthy recipe! Definitely will be part of my recipe rotation. Pairs great with rice 🙂
Reply