This Greek chicken kebab bowl couldn't be any simpler to whip up. It tastes great on its own but is perfect when paired with a bowl of rice and grilled vegetables. Enjoy it as a side dish or accompanied by other dishes at a summer dinner party.
This chicken recipe is made with a simple, fresh Greek chicken marinade, and finished with a minty cilantro dressing.
Why you should make this recipe
This grilled Greek chicken kebobs recipe is not just a mouthful of juicy, tender chicken bits but it's also very easy to make. It's ready in less than 30 minutes.
We use simple ingredients for the freshest flavors.
Served with your choice of rice and grilled vegetables, it's a healthy bowl the whole family can enjoy.
The herby yogurt dressing is an added bonus not just for this Mediterranean chicken kabobs, but for other salad recipes or healthy lunch bowls like my quinoa salad.
Ingredient breakdown
• Chicken Breast: The main ingredient used for this grilled Greek chicken is breast. Make sure you are using boneless chicken for this recipe. Boneless chicken meat is juicy; however, if you prefer using chicken thigh meat, that is perfectly fine.
• Lemon: Fresh lemon juice adds a vibrant and citrusy flavor to the dish.
- Onion: This is used to tenderize the chicken. It also adds a caramelization to the final outcome.
• Garlic: fresh or powdered garlic is fine. Please note that there might be burnt bits of garlic around the edges of the chicken as opposed to using ground garlic.
• Oregano: Oregano has a mint aroma and a sweet and slightly peppery flavor. If you don't have fresh oregano, feel free to use the dried herbs.
For the dressing:
• Greek Yogurt: preferably plain Greek yogurt. It is creamy, healthy, and has a hint of sour flavor. You can equally use this to marinate the chicken for more tender meat.
• Mint: Fresh mint leaves are known for their aroma and menthol-like flavors. The flavor lingers on and marries seamlessly with the rest of the ingredients for the Greek chicken kebab recipe
• Cilantro: It adds freshness and a slightly citrusy flavor to the dressing. You can substitute with fresh leaf parsley if you don't have one in hand.
How to make Kebobs
First, cut the chicken into cubes, about 1-2 inches.
Make the marinade: Combine the ingredients in a food processor, and blend.
- Combine the chicken with the marinade and place it in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours.
- Assemble the chicken and vegetables on skewers. You can use either metal or wooden skewers. Soak the wooden skewers ahead of time if using.
Get the grill up to high heat, we want the chicken the be slightly charred on the outside.
Grill the chicken leaving at least an inch or so apart. Turn them frequently to prevent them from burning.
How to Make Shish Kebob in the oven
If you don't have a grill, you can equally make these chicken kebabs in the oven. Preferably the broiler or over high heat. The goal is to get a perfect golden hue on the exterior and a juicy interior. Follow the steps on the recipe card. Instead of placing them on the grill, continue with the steps here.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and place the threaded meats on the pan.
- preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit or broil on high
- Bake in the oven for 25- 28 minutes or until it's cooked through. Make sure to flip the
- chicken halfway through.
Creamy Mint Cilantro dressing
- Place all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or blender.
- Blend until it's smooth. Transfer into a serving cup or bowl. Set aside in the refrigerator
Variations
Add more herbs and spices like red pepper flakes and cumin to add flavor to the chicken.
•Marinade the chicken breast with some Greek yogurt for an even tender and juicy meat.
• pair this Greek chicken kebabs dish with your favorite vegetables like onions, bell peppers, carrots, corn, etc.
• You can use full-fat yogurt instead of greek yogurt as well. Add a tablespoon or two of mayonnaise or cream for more flavor and richness.
What do you serve Shish Kebab with?
Shish kebab goes with a plethora of dishes depending on the type of animal protein used. Serve kebabs alongside the following:
Rice
Quinoa
Salad
Couscous
Grilled vegetables
Baked potatoes
In a pita or tortilla wrap with lettuce, and grilled vegetables
Cabbage
Condiments: try them with your favorite dips or pesto
Corn dish
Equipment
You'll need an indoor or outdoor grill for this recipe. The oven is equally fine.
Metal skewers or bamboo skewers (affiliate link)
Storage
Enjoy immediately! If you happen to have leftovers, wrap them in cling film then with aluminum foil. Refrigerate the Greek chicken kebab bowl for up to 2 days or freeze for up to a month.
Thaw at room temperature or reheat in the oven wrapped in foil at 350°F for 10 minutes or until warm.
COOK'S TIPS
If you do not like cilantro, you can use flat-leaf parsley in place of cilantro for the dressing.
You can serve the Greek chicken skewer with other types of grains like quinoa, beans, and couscous, or enjoy it on its own.
Remove the chicken from the skewers and serve it with salad, or as a wrap.
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Frequently Asked Question
Because chicken cooks faster, you can cook it for about 6 to 8 minutes on a single side. Cook until the top gets a golden color and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
The ideal temperature to grill chicken kebobs is 375 degrees F to 400 degrees F, i.e., medium-high heat. Make sure the grill is fully heated before placing the chicken kebobs on it.
You can serve chicken kebab with Greek yogurt dressing or any of your favorite dressings. You can also serve it alongside rice, salad, etc.
Both kebab and kebob come from the same word. It is just a different pronunciation of the same work. Where kebab is a Middle Eastern or Arabic pronunciation, kebob is an Armenian or Iranian pronunciation.
There you have it! I hope you give this chicken shish kabob recipe a try. Share a bite with us on our social media If you make this recipe using the hashtag worldlytreat(#worldlytreat), we'd love to join the soirée. Also, don't forget to pin it for later. Chat soon?
PEACE & LOVE
Maureen
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FOOD SAFETY
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Never leave cooking food unattended
📖 Recipe
Greek Chicken Kebab Bowl
Equipment
- grill or oven
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Juice of a lemon (about 3tbs)
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 large purple onions, divided
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper
- 1 large pepper, seeded, cubed
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded, cubed
Mint yogurt dressing
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaf with sprigs, packed (or parsley)
Instructions
- Cut the chicken lenghtwise. Then cut into cubes, aboutt an inch in size
- Prepare the marinade for the chicken. Combine the olive oil, onion, lemon juice, garlic cloves, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in the bowl of a processor. Give it a few pulses.
- If using bamboo skewers, immerse them in warm water for 30 minutes before assembling.
- Remove chicken from the refrigerator and start assembling the kabobs on wooden or metal skewers.
- Once the grill is heated, brush oil on the grates and place the skewered chicken on top leaving about 2 inches apart.
- Cook the kabobs for 12-15 minutes, turning them every 3-4 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165ºF.
- Grill the vegetables for 2 mins on each side.
- Remove from the grill and let rest for 8-10 minutes before serving.
For the dressing
- Place all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Blend until it’s smooth. Transfer into a serving cup or bowl. Set aside in the refrigerator while the meat cooks.
Assemble
- Assemble the bowl. Place the cooked rice, grilled chicken and vegetables in a wide bowl. Drizzle with dressing and serve immediately.
Notes
- If you don't have metal skewers, use wooden skewers. Immerse it in warm water and allow soaking for 1 minute.
- Cut the chicken into equal-sized cubes for even cooking.
Marcellina says
The flavor of this chicken kebab is amazing! I love the combination of spices and herbs and its so simple to make! Thanks for the tip to switch out the cilantro - I'm not a fan but parsley is great!
Maureen Celestine says
So glad to hear Marcellina! My girlfriend isn't fond of cilantro either 🙂