Description
Delicious and flavorful Chicken Kebabs marinated overnight in a zesty blend of lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, turmeric, paprika, garlic, and fresh dill. Perfectly grilled to juicy perfection and paired with vibrant bell peppers and onions, these kebabs make a great meal served with tzatziki, pita, or a Greek salad.
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon lemon pepper or regular pepper
- 2 Tablespoons fresh dill finely chopped (or freeze-dried)
Vegetables and Other
- 2 bell peppers cut into 1” pieces
- 1 onion (red, yellow, etc.) cut into 1” pieces
- 20 bamboo skewers soaked in warm water for at least 1 hour
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Cut chicken breasts into 1” cubes or strips depending on your preference for kabobs. Place the chicken pieces in a glass container with a lid or in a plastic bag placed inside another container to prevent leaks and staining.
- Prepare Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, ground turmeric, smoked paprika, onion powder, minced garlic, sea salt, lemon pepper, and fresh dill until well combined.
- Coat Chicken: Pour the marinade over the chicken pieces, turning them to ensure they are fully coated. Seal the container or bag and refrigerate to marinate overnight or for at least 6 hours to develop flavor.
- Soak Skewers: At least one hour before grilling, soak bamboo skewers in warm water to prevent burning on the grill.
- Assemble Kebabs: Using gloves to prevent staining from the marinade, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers, alternating with pieces of bell pepper and onion until all ingredients are used.
- Grill Kebabs: Preheat grill to medium heat. Grill the kebabs for about 5 minutes on the first side, then turn and grill for an additional 3-5 minutes on the second side. Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to ensure it is fully cooked and juicy.
- Serve: Serve the warm chicken kebabs alongside traditional accompaniments such as tzatziki, pita bread, naan, hummus, or a fresh Greek salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Marinating overnight is recommended but a minimum of 6 hours will infuse enough flavor.
- Soaking bamboo skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that chicken reaches 160°F for safe consumption.
- Gloves are handy when assembling kebabs to avoid staining from marinade ingredients like turmeric and mustard.
- These kebabs pair well with Mediterranean side dishes like tzatziki or Greek salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
