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Fresh Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken Skewers

lemon herb chicken skewers - featured image

These fresh grilled lemon herb chicken skewers deliver perfect flavor with a bright lemon zest and fragrant herbs, paired with a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, they are perfect for quick weeknight dinners or outdoor gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • Juice of 2 medium lemons (about 4 tablespoons)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (60 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt (240 ml)
  • 1/2 medium cucumber, peeled and grated
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade by combining fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, chopped parsley and oregano, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using in a medium bowl. Whisk until well blended.
  2. Cut the chicken into 1 to 1.5-inch chunks, keeping sizes consistent for even cooking.
  3. Add chicken pieces to the marinade, toss to coat all sides, cover and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes.
  4. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
  5. Make the tzatziki sauce by grating the cucumber and squeezing out excess moisture. In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, chopped dill, salt, and pepper. Stir well and refrigerate until serving.
  6. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 204°C). Oil the grates lightly to prevent sticking.
  7. Thread marinated chicken pieces evenly onto skewers, leaving space between pieces.
  8. Grill skewers for 4 to 5 minutes per side, turning once, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and has a nice char.
  9. Remove skewers from grill and let rest for 3-5 minutes to redistribute juices.
  10. Serve hot with a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce on the side.

Notes

Do not marinate chicken longer than 30 minutes to avoid mushy texture. Soak wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (75°C). Rest skewers after grilling to lock in juices. Tzatziki sauce tastes better after resting a few hours in the fridge.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken skewers, lemon herb chicken, tzatziki sauce, easy chicken recipe, summer grilling, healthy chicken skewers