Chicken Kebabs Recipe
One of my favorite parts about fire cooking is that every culture has its own style of it. From South American Skirt Steak to North American Ribs, fire has found its place in some of the most delicious dishes countries have to offer. The Mediterranean is no exception to this. Chicken kebabs are a cornerstone dish of that culture. Fire-roasted meat on a skewer can make even the bad days seem better. Chicken kebabs can also take you on a trip across the ocean where you feel like you are eating in downtown Istanbul or on the Grecian Coast. They are zesty, spicy, and full of serious flavor. Table of Contents Why you’ll love this recipeChicken Kebabs Recipe IngredientsChicken Kabab SpiceMarinadeMediterranean SauceHow to Make This Homemade Chicken Kebabs RecipeFlavor X Fire & FOOD X FireTips for this Chicken Kebabs Recipechicken kebabs in the air fryer or ovenMore Chicken RecipesHow to Store Leftovers & ReheatWhat to Serve With Greek Chicken KebabsChicken Kebabs Recipe FAQsFire Roasted Chicken Kebabs Recipe Why you’ll love this recipe Chicken Kebabs Recipe Ingredients Chicken Kabab SpiceMarinadeMediterranean Sauce Chicken Kabab Spice Marinade Mediterranean Sauce How to Make This Homemade Chicken Kebabs Recipe Flavor X Fire & FOOD X Fire Tips for this Chicken Kebabs Recipe chicken kebabs in the air fryer or oven chicken kebabs in the air fryer or oven More Chicken Recipes How to Store Leftovers & Reheat What to Serve With Greek Chicken Kebabs Chicken Kebabs Recipe FAQs Fire Roasted Chicken Kebabs Recipe Why you’ll love this recipe Weeknight dinners that please the entire family can feel like a challenge, but Greek chicken kebabs are here to save the day! Cooking over an open flame infuses the chicken with a smoky, delicious flavor that’s a step above pan-cooked meals. Plus, the preparation is incredibly easy. Whip up a marinade and thread the chicken onto skewers – it’s the perfect easy dinner for any occasion. For more cultural cuisine, try my Spanish Garlic Steak Pinwheels, Kung Pao Chicken Wings, Peruvian Chicken with Green Sauce and Italian Beef Pinwheels! Chicken Kebabs Recipe Ingredients Chicken Kabab Spice Paprika: This spice adds a smoky, slightly sweet flavor that’s classic in Mediterranean cuisine. Cumin: Earthy and warm, cumin brings depth and a touch of nuttiness to the kebab mix. Coriander Seeds: These tiny seeds pack a citrusy, floral punch that complements the other spices beautifully. You can grind them up for a more intense flavor, but whole seeds work well, too. Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a necessary kick of heat to balance the other flavors, so don’t skimp on the pepper! Kosher Salt: Salt enhances all the other flavors in the spice mix and draws out the natural juices in the chicken, making it nice and tender. Chili Powder: This adds a touch of smoky heat and a bit of red color to the kababs. Ground Ginger: Freshly ground ginger brings a warm, slightly sweet note that rounds out the spice blend. Paprika: This spice adds a smoky, slightly sweet flavor that’s classic in Mediterranean cuisine. Cumin: Earthy and warm, cumin brings depth and a touch of nuttiness to the kebab mix. Coriander Seeds: These tiny seeds pack a citrusy, floral punch that complements the other spices beautifully. You can grind them up for a more intense flavor, but whole seeds work well, too. Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a necessary kick of heat to balance the other flavors, so don’t skimp on the pepper! Kosher Salt: Salt enhances all the other flavors in the spice mix and draws out the natural juices in the chicken, making it nice and tender. Chili Powder: This adds a touch of smoky heat and a bit of red color to the kababs. Ground Ginger: Freshly ground ginger brings a warm, slightly sweet note that rounds out the spice blend. For other kebab recipes check out my Spiced Lamb Kebabs, Harissa Lamb Kebabs and Mint Yogurt Lamb Kebabs! Marinade Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: These are cut into cubes for even cooking on the skewers. Boneless chicken thighs can also be used for a richer flavor, but breasts are a leaner option. Plain Greek Yogurt: The yogurt tenderizes the chicken while adding a subtle tang. It also helps the spices adhere to the meat. Chicken Kabab Spice: This is the magic dust that infuses the chicken with all those delicious flavors we mentioned earlier. Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a touch of acidity that brightens up the flavors and also helps balance the richness of the yogurt. Minced Garlic: Garlic is a flavor powerhouse that adds a savory depth to the marinade. Olive Oil: Oil helps coat the chicken and keeps it moist during cooking. Kosher Salt: Salt seasons the chicken from the inside out. Optional Fresh Oregano: Oregano adds a wonderful herbaceous note to the marinade, but it’s perfectly fine to skip if you don’t have any on hand. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: These are cut into cubes for even cooking on the skewers. Boneless chicken thighs can also be used for a richer flavor, but breasts are a leaner option. Plain Greek Yogurt: The yogurt tenderizes the chicken while adding a subtle tang. It also helps the spices adhere to the meat. Chicken Kabab Spice: This is the magic dust that infuses the chicken with all those delicious flavors we mentioned earlier. Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a touch of acidity that brightens up the flavors and also helps balance the richness of the yogurt. Minced Garlic: Garlic is a flavor powerhouse that adds a savory depth to the marinade. Olive Oil: Oil helps coat the chicken and keeps it moist during cooking. Kosher Salt: Salt seasons the chicken from the inside out. Optional Fresh Oregano: Oregano adds a wonderful herbaceous note to the marinade, but it’s perfectly fine to skip if you don’t have any on hand. Mediterranean Sauce Plain Greek Yogurt: This is the base of the sauce, providing a cool and creamy counterpoint to the kebabs. Minced Garlic: Garlic makes another appearance here, adding its signature savory bite to the sauce. Olive Oil: Oil helps create a smooth texture in the sauce. Lemon Juice: Just like in the marinade, lemon juice brightens up the flavors and keeps the sauce from tasting heavy. Kosher Salt: Salt seasons the sauce and brings out all the other flavors. Paprika: A sprinkle of paprika adds a touch of smokiness and a hint of red color to the finished sauce. Plain Greek Yogurt: This is the base of the sauce, providing a cool and creamy counterpoint to the kebabs. Minced Garlic: Garlic makes another appearance here, adding its signature savory bite to the sauce. Olive Oil: Oil helps create a smooth texture in the sauce. Lemon Juice: Just like in the marinade, lemon juice brightens up the flavors and keeps the sauce from tasting heavy. Kosher Salt: Salt seasons the sauce and brings out all the other flavors. Paprika: A sprinkle of paprika adds a touch of smokiness and a hint of red color to the finished sauce. How to Make This Homemade Chicken Kebabs Recipe In a bowl, combine all the Chicken Kebab Spice Ingredients. Paprika, cumin, coriander seeds – all the good stuff goes in here! In a separate bowl, whisk together all the Marinade Ingredients. Don’t forget to add the spice mix you just made! Then, toss the chicken pieces into the marinade and mix everything well. Cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least 1 hour to let the flavors develop. After an hour of marinating fun, take the chicken out of the fridge. Thread the chicken cubes evenly onto skewers. Light your charcoal in a chimney or directly on your charcoal grill. If you want to add a smoky flavor, toss in some Apple Wood Smoking Chips while the coals are burning (these are optional, but they add a nice touch!). In another bowl, simply combine all the Mediterranean Sauce Ingredients. Easy as pie! Cover it and store it in the fridge until the chicken is cooked. Once your grill reaches around 300 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s showtime! Place the skewers on the grill grates and cook them for 10 minutes per side until golden brown. Take the cooked chicken off the hot grill and remove it from the skewers. Now comes the best part – drizzle that delicious Mediterranean Sauce all over the chicken skewers and enjoy! Get The Cookbooks! Flavor X Fire & FOOD X Fire By Derek Wolf All the major tastes—salty, sour, sweet, bitter, and umami—are explored in depth, along with an investigation of other components you should consider when it comes to flavor, such as aroma, heat, and texture. Tips for this Chicken Kebabs Recipe My tip for cooking these Fire Roasted Chicken Kebabs is to allow them plenty of time to cook over the fire without causing flare-ups. Depending on how close you have the chicken to the fire will determine your percent chance of having flare ups. I recommend keeping the kebabs at least 1 foot away from the fire so that it is not extremely direct heat. This will allow the chicken to slowly roast, soak in the juices of the marinade, and keep the inside of the meat tender. The key to making chicken kebabs taste delicious is marinating the chicken. The marinade is full of lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and other fun stuff. This will get the chicken to absorb the flavor of the marinade. Chicken naturally does not have a ton of fat; therefore, it does not have a ton of flavor. When you allow the chicken to marinade in something pungent, you allow it to become delicious. Check out a few other chicken marinades with my Grilled Mojo Chicken and Rotisserie Chicken! Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should read 165F when done. My tip for cooking these Fire Roasted Chicken Kebabs is to allow them plenty of time to cook over the fire without causing flare-ups. Depending on how close you have the chicken to the fire will determine your percent chance of having flare ups. I recommend keeping the kebabs at least 1 foot away from the fire so that it is not extremely direct heat. This will allow the chicken to slowly roast, soak in the juices of the marinade, and keep the inside of the meat tender. The key to making chicken kebabs taste delicious is marinating the chicken. The marinade is full of lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and other fun stuff. This will get the chicken to absorb the flavor of the marinade. Chicken naturally does not have a ton of fat; therefore, it does not have a ton of flavor. When you allow the chicken to marinade in something pungent, you allow it to become delicious. Check out a few other chicken marinades with my Grilled Mojo Chicken and Rotisserie Chicken! Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should read 165F when done. chicken kebabs in the air fryer or oven Don’t have an outdoor grill? No worries! Here are instructions for making this recipe in the air fryer and oven: Air Fryer: Marinate the Chicken: Just like any kebab recipe, marinate your chicken in your favorite marinade for at least 30 minutes. Skewer the Chicken: Thread your marinated chicken pieces and veggies onto skewers. Preheat and Air Fry: Heat up your air fryer to around 400F. Spray the basket with a little cooking oil and then place the kebabs in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through. Marinate the Chicken: Just like any kebab recipe, marinate your chicken in your favorite marinade for at least 30 minutes. Skewer the Chicken: Thread your marinated chicken pieces and veggies onto skewers. Preheat and Air Fry: Heat up your air fryer to around 400F. Spray the basket with a little cooking oil and then place the kebabs in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through. Oven: Marinate the Chicken: Same as the air fryer, marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes. Skewer the Chicken: Assemble your kebabs with chicken and veggies. Marinate the Chicken: Same as the air fryer, marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes. Skewer the Chicken: Assemble your kebabs with chicken and veggies. Preheat and Bake: Heat your oven to around 400F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. Place the kebabs on the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through. More Chicken Recipes How to Store Leftovers & Reheat Leftover kebabs? No worries! Let them cool, then stash them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or the freezer for 3 months (thaw in the fridge first). Reheat in a 350F oven, wrapped in aluminum foil for 25-30 minutes. What to Serve With Greek Chicken Kebabs Pita bread, fluffy basmati rice, or light couscous are all winners for scooping and soaking up deliciousness. Want veggies? A Greek salad is refreshing, roasted veggies add sweetness, or keep it simple with a summer salad. Also, don’t forget the dips! Tzatziki sauce, hummus, or a quick garlic yogurt dip are all crowd-pleasers. Lemon wedges and feta cheese add finishing touches for a complete and flavorful meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. Can I use wooden skewers or metal skewers? Both work, but with a twist! Wooden skewers need a pre-game soak in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill. Metal skewers heat up faster and sear the chicken beautifully, but be careful not to overcook. Bamboo skewers are an eco-friendly option, just remember to soak them too! Can I make chicken kebabs ahead of time? You can marinate the chicken overnight, but assemble the kebabs just before cooking to prevent the vegetables from softening. Cooked kebabs can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, but they’re best enjoyed fresh off the grill! What type of veggies can I use with this chicken kebab recipe? Absolutely! Colorful vegetables like cherry tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, and pineapple are all delicious options. Just cut veggies into similar sizes for even cooking. Chicken Kebab Spice Ingredients ▢ 1/4 tbsp paprika▢ 1 tsp cumin▢ 1 1/4 tsp coriander seeds▢ 1 tsp black pepper▢ 1 tsp kosher salt▢ 1/2 tsp chili powder▢ 1/2 tsp ground ginger ▢ 1/4 tbsp paprika ▢ 1 tsp cumin ▢ 1 1/4 tsp coriander seeds ▢ 1 tsp black pepper ▢ 1 tsp kosher salt ▢ 1/2 tsp chili powder ▢ 1/2 tsp ground ginger Marinade Ingredients ▢ 2 full chicken breasts cut into cubes▢ 1 cup plain Greek yogurt▢ Chicken kebab spice ingredients see above▢ 1 tbsp lemon juice▢ 3 minced garlic cloves▢ 2 tbsp olive oil▢ 1/2 tsp kosher salt▢ 2 tbsp freshly chopped oregano Optional ▢ 2 full chicken breasts cut into cubes ▢ 1 cup plain Greek yogurt ▢ Chicken kebab spice ingredients see above ▢ 1 tbsp lemon juice ▢ 3 minced garlic cloves ▢ 2 tbsp olive oil ▢ 1/2 tsp kosher salt ▢ 2 tbsp freshly chopped oregano Optional Mediterranean Sauce Ingredients ▢ 1 cup plain Greek yogurt▢ 3 minced garlic cloves▢ 2 tbsp olive oil▢ 1 tbsp lemon juice▢ 1/2 tsp kosher salt▢ 1/2 tsp paprika ▢ 1 cup plain Greek yogurt ▢ 3 minced garlic cloves ▢ 2 tbsp olive oil ▢ 1 tbsp lemon juice ▢ 1/2 tsp kosher salt ▢ 1/2 tsp paprika In a bowl, mix all of the Chicken Kebab Spice Ingredients.In a separate bowl, mix all of the Marinade Ingredients. Add the Chicken Kebab Spice Ingredients to the Marinade as well as the cubed chicken. Mix all ingredients together thoroughly.Place the mixed chicken into the refrigerator for 1 hour.After 1 hour, pull chicken out of the refrigerator and place evenly on skewers.Light the Cowboy Hardwood Lump Charcoal in a charcoal chimney or mound inside your grill and let burn for 10-15 minutes. (Optional) Add some Apple Wood Smoking Chips for added flavor!While the charcoal is burning, put all Mediterranean Sauce Ingredients into a bowl and mix. Cover and place in refrigerator until chicken is done.Once the grill has reached the desired temperature (around 300F), place skewers on grill. Let them grill for 10 minutes a side.Pull chicken off of grill and off of skewers.Drizzle Mediterranean Sauce on top and enjoy! In a bowl, mix all of the Chicken Kebab Spice Ingredients. In a bowl, mix all of the Chicken Kebab Spice Ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix all of the Marinade Ingredients. Add the Chicken Kebab Spice Ingredients to the Marinade as well as the cubed chicken. Mix all ingredients together thoroughly. In a separate bowl, mix all of the Marinade Ingredients. Add the Chicken Kebab Spice Ingredients to the Marinade as well as the cubed chicken. Mix all ingredients together thoroughly. Place the mixed chicken into the refrigerator for 1 hour. Place the mixed chicken into the refrigerator for 1 hour. After 1 hour, pull chicken out of the refrigerator and place evenly on skewers. After 1 hour, pull chicken out of the refrigerator and place evenly on skewers. Light the Cowboy Hardwood Lump Charcoal in a charcoal chimney or mound inside your grill and let burn for 10-15 minutes. (Optional) Add some Apple Wood Smoking Chips for added flavor! Light the Cowboy Hardwood Lump Charcoal in a charcoal chimney or mound inside your grill and let burn for 10-15 minutes. (Optional) Add some Apple Wood Smoking Chips for added flavor! While the charcoal is burning, put all Mediterranean Sauce Ingredients into a bowl and mix. Cover and place in refrigerator until chicken is done. While the charcoal is burning, put all Mediterranean Sauce Ingredients into a bowl and mix. Cover and place in refrigerator until chicken is done. Once the grill has reached the desired temperature (around 300F), place skewers on grill. Let them grill for 10 minutes a side. Once the grill has reached the desired temperature (around 300F), place skewers on grill. Let them grill for 10 minutes a side. Pull chicken off of grill and off of skewers. Pull chicken off of grill and off of skewers. Drizzle Mediterranean Sauce on top and enjoy! Drizzle Mediterranean Sauce on top and enjoy! Tip: Try adding a bed of rice and some roasted cucumber for a full meal! Gear: Cowboy Charcoal Calories: 671kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 70g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 155mg | Sodium: 2674mg | Potassium: 1302mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 404IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 357mg | Iron: 4mg Derek Wolf Derek is the driving force behind Over the Fire Cooking. He started cooking with live fire in 2016 and decided to start a social media page so his friends and family could follow the journey. Fast forward to today and Over the Fire Cooking has spread across multiple platforms with millions now following Derek's fire cooking journey. He's a southern fellow who enjoys everything from classic BBQ to Central and South American inspired dishes. Whatever he's cooking up, it's guaranteed to be so freakin' delicious!