These grilled chicken kabobs are made with marinated chicken and colorful vegetables, all threaded onto skewers and cooked to perfection. An easy dinner that can also be baked in the oven!
Chicken skewers are a classic summer dinner option. This version includes a sweet and savory honey garlic marinade and plenty of fresh vegetables. Serve your chicken kabobs over rice for a complete meal.
Kabobs are one of my favorite grilling options. I make these grilled chicken kabobs constantly during the summer months, they’re a perfect combination of tender marinated chicken with a variety of veggies.
HOW DO YOU MAKE GRILLED CHICKEN KABOBS?
The marinade is the most important part of this recipe since it brings the majority of the flavor to these chicken kabobs. Whisk together your ingredients for the marinade then toss in your chicken and veggies to soak for a minimum of an hour. Thread the deliciously marinated chicken and veggies onto your skewers, cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, and you have mouthwatering grilled chicken skewers!
These skewers are pretty versatile and can be cooked on an outdoor or indoor grill, or broiled in the oven. Whichever way you choose to do it, be sure to soak your wood skewers in cold water for at least 20 minutes to keep them from burning. Wooden skewers have a tendency to burn, catch on fire, and then easily break when trying to eat off of them. Soaking the skewers helps alleviate those issues.
You can use chicken breasts or thighs, it’s up to you and doesn’t matter which are used. If you don’t like the veggie combination I chose, just simply substitute your own favorites! That’s the great thing about these grilled chicken kabobs, they’re easily adjusted to fit each person’s taste.
Some other great vegetable substitutions are
- Mushrooms
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Potatoes
- Asparagus
WHAT IS THE BEST AND SAFEST WAY TO EAT A SKEWER?
The safest way to eat a skewer is by sliding the finished ingredients off into a dish instead of eating straight from a stick. Usually it’s not a problem for adults to eat it straight from the skewer. However, it’s advised that children have their skewer disassembled and placed in a dish for consumption.
HOW LONG IS THE BEST TIME TO MARINATE CHICKEN?
If you marinate chicken for at least an hour, you will get a good taste of the flavors. However, the longer you leave it in the marinade, the stronger the flavors will become as they will soak into the chicken and veggies more. If you can swing it, up to 8 hours of marinating is suggested for optimal soak time.
There is nothing more satisfying than a delicious meal that’s also super easy. You know how it can go with kids; one kid likes this and the other kid likes that, and dinner can feel like you’re being stretched a million ways. That’s why I love these grilled chicken kabobs, they make everyone happy with little effort.
MORE KABOB RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
Grilled Chicken Kabobs Video
Grilled Chicken Kabobs
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 red bell pepper cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 yellow bell pepper cut into 1 inch pieces
- 2 small zucchini cut into 1 inch slices
- 1 red onion cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Place the olive oil, soy sauce, honey, garlic and salt and pepper in a large bowl.
- Whisk to combine.
- Add the chicken, bell peppers, zucchini and red onion to the bowl. Toss to coat in the marinade.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours.
- Soak wooden skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium high heat.
- Thread the chicken and vegetables onto the skewers.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side or until chicken is cooked through.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
My family loves this recipe. I’ve used both chicken breast and thigh meat. I now double it so there are leftovers. I also reduce a batch of the marinade with a sprinkle of corns starch To thicken it to go over the rice.
I had to comment as it’s my 3rd time making this recipe! It is so good!
Just made this tonight on the BBQ and wow! This is one of the best recipes I have ever tried! I used zucchini, red onions, green, yellow and red peppers. The chicken comes out so so tender! This is a huge hit!
Just wow!!! Awesome marinade. I did the full 8 hours and the flavours were great. I separated the chicken and veggies since my vegetables seem to take longer to cook. Had corn cooked on bbq as a side veggie too. Super recipe. Thanks for sharing.
When we got done, my oh so picky husband said, “This is a definite keeper!!!” I used chicken, mushrooms, onion, yellow squash, and zucchini.
I rarely leave comments, but could not leave this one without feedback. Today was the second time i made it, and it is unbelievably amazing. I expected a tasty result but it surpassed my expectations by far. I have made chicken kabobs before, but I never particularly liked them. And I am not even a fan of chicken breast. This marinade is perfect and I love the idea of marinating the veggies along with the meat – this never occurred to me before.
I made only one change to the recipe. The second time I cooked it I brined the chicken first. My first attempt was without brining and chicken came out very tender. But brining made it literally melt in your mouth. I highly recommend adding this easy step.
Getting ready to try the recipe. Can you use extra virgin olive oil or does it make a difference?
Yes extra virgin olive oil is great!
I doubled the recipe and marinated the chicken and veggies about 6 hours. HUGE hit with my husband and teenage son. I served it with basmati rice and they both gobbled down big portions (and that’s why I doubled the recipe!) This is a keeper — thank you so much for an awesome and easy recipe!
Tried this marinade last night — it was absolutely delicious! Thank you!
These were AMAZING!! I am not a cook but I just followed the recipe precisely and they were delicious!! Everyone loved them. Thank you so much for posting this!!
Can this be baked? If yes what temperature?
You can broil in the oven for 5 mins per side, or bake at 450 degrees F for 5 mins per side.
Loved these! So delicious!
Delicious! I doubled the marinade and had some left that we used as a dip for turnips from our garden. My daughter loved it! She even said that was a great way to get her to eat her veggies! 🙂
My daughter and I are starting our own blog soon. Is it ok with you if we link to this recipe?
Thanks!
Tina
I’m not trying to accuse you of witchcraft… but my kids ate ALL of their vegetables tonight without complaint! 😁 Delicious! Thank you!!
Can shrimp be substituted for the chicken?
Yes that should be fine!
How many kabobs will this make? It says 4 servings. Is 1 kabob a serving or 2?
4 12-inch kabobs!
These came out so yummy! I served them on Saturday and can’t wait to make them again.
When I find a recipe I like, I try and take advantage of it. I’m just curious if I could prep the chicken, toss in the marinade and freeze it?
I also made tha Hawaiian chicken a few weeks back and it was also super yummy!
Thanks
Yes you should be able to freeze it! Glad you enjoyed it!
The marinade flavor really came through on the meat. Looked good and tasted good too!
Just absolutely perfect! The chicken and yellow squash (SIP in CA… never sure what’s in stock…) simultaneously cooked to perfection. The marinade flavor really came through. Even so, next time I’ll probably reserve a bit to brush on toward the end. Thanks for sharing this! YUMMY!
We don’t like our vegetables crunchy but if I leave the kabobs on long enough to cook the vegetables the chicken gets dry and tough.
Cut the vegetables smaller and thinner!
Grill the chicken and veggies on different skewers. Not as pretty but who cares. More efficient.
Am I supposed to throw the marinade away after it’s soaks? Or can I use it to marinate during the cooking time
You can brush the marinade over the chicken as it cooks if you like, just don’t brush it over the finished dish since it has bacteria in it from the uncooked chicken!
Brine your chicken first.