The Best Chicken Skewers
Juicy, flavorful, and perfectly charred — these Chicken Skewers are what summer grilling dreams are made of! Made with tender chicken breast, sweet bell peppers, and savory onions, all tossed in a bold, slightly sweet marinade, this recipe is easy to prep and always a crowd favorite.
Whether you’re grilling for a backyard BBQ, prepping dinner ahead of time, or just looking for a colorful, protein-packed meal, these skewers are a go-to that never disappoints.
Serve with Tossed Green Salad, Easy Rice Pilaf, and Peach Lemonade for the perfect summer meal.
Why You’ll Love These Chicken Skewers
- Flavor-packed marinade: A delicious blend of olive oil, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and lemon juice with the perfect balance of savory, tangy, and sweet.
- Vibrant and healthy: Loaded with red, orange, and yellow bell peppers and yellow onion for color, crunch, and nutrients.
- Grill-friendly: These skewers are made for summer grilling but can also be cooked on a grill pan or in the oven.
What You Need
For the Skewers:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 orange bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 red onion, cut into chunks
- Wooden or metal skewers
For the Marinade:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
How to Make Chicken Skewers
1. Prep the skewers
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Cut the chicken, peppers, and onion into bite-sized pieces.
2. Skewer the chicken and veggies
Thread the chicken, bell peppers, and onions onto skewers, alternating for color and even cooking. You can pack them tight but allow a little space between pieces for even heat distribution.
3. Make the marinade
In a small bowl, whisk together all the marinade ingredients until well combined.
4. Marinate the skewers
Place the assembled skewers in a shallow dish or large resealable bag. Pour the marinade over them, making sure everything is coated. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours for deeper flavor.
5. Grill to perfection
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 375–400°F). Oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
Grill the skewers for 12–15 minutes, turning every 3–4 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temp of 165°F) and you get those perfect grill marks and a little char on the veggies.
Tips for Grilling Chicken Skewers
- Cut evenly: Keep chicken and veggies in similar sizes for even cooking.
- Don’t over-marinate: Citrus and vinegar can start to break down the chicken texture if left too long. You want at least an hour, but no more than 8, preferably not more than 4.
- Flip often: Turning the skewers every few minutes helps avoid burning and ensures even grilling. Mine took about 20 minutes to grill, and I flipped them 4-5 times.
- Baste if you like: Reserve a little marinade (before adding the raw chicken!) for basting while grilling.
Substitutions and Variations
- Protein swap: Try using boneless chicken thighs for extra juiciness or even shrimp (just reduce the marinating and cooking time).
- Veggie options: Zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms also grill beautifully and add color and flavor.
- Marinade twist: Add fresh minced garlic or a splash of pineapple juice for a tropical flair.
What to Serve With Chicken Skewers
- Rice Pilaf or lemon herb couscous
- A fresh summer salad
- Grilled corn on the cob
- Tzatziki or a garlic yogurt dipping sauce. We had ours recently with Homemade Ranch Dressing and it was amazing.
These Chicken Skewers are simple to make, full of flavor, and perfect for entertaining or just enjoying a family dinner outdoors. Grill them up, serve with your favorite sides, and watch them disappear fast!
Don’t forget to pin this recipe or share it with a fellow grill master!
The Best Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
For the Skewers:
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 1 red bell pepper cut into chunks
- 1 orange bell pepper cut into chunks
- 1 yellow bell pepper cut into chunks
- 1 yellow onion cut into chunks
- Wooden or metal skewers
For the Marinade:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Prep the skewers
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Cut the chicken, peppers, and onion into bite-sized pieces.
Skewer the chicken and veggies
- Thread the chicken, bell peppers, and onions onto skewers, alternating for color and even cooking. You can pack them tight but allow a little space between pieces for even heat distribution.
Make the marinade
- In a small bowl, whisk together all the marinade ingredients until well combined.
Marinate the skewers
- Place the assembled skewers in a shallow dish or large resealable bag. Pour the marinade over them, making sure everything is coated. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours for deeper flavor.
Grill to perfection
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 375–400°F). Oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill the skewers for 12–15 minutes (could be longer depending on grill), turning every 3–4 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temp of 165°F) and you get those perfect grill marks and a little char on the veggies.
Notes
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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