Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (2024)

Kebabs; Photographer: Linda Pugliese; Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke; Food Stylist: Anna Hampt

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (1)

Credit: Linda Pugliese

Not sure what to make for dinner? Chicken kebabs have so much going for them. For one, they’re a great way to transform a few pieces of chicken and the random mix of produce in the crisper into a vibrant dinner. They’re a quick and easy grilled dinner. And most importantly, food on a stick is just more fun. Check out some of our favorite chicken kebab recipes and throw a few skewers on the grill tonight.

Start Slideshow

1 of 20

Lemon-Herb Chicken Kebabs

Lemon-Herb Chicken Kebabs

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (2)

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

Lemon-Herb Chicken Kebabs Recipe

These light and summery kebabs are made with chicken thighs, which won’t dry out on the grill. Cut the chicken into strips and thread it, accordion-style, onto the skewers along with thinly sliced lemons and asparagus. The tangy herb and lemon marinade also tastes great with pork or lamb.

1 of 20

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

2 of 20

Glazed Chicken and Fig Skewers

Glazed Chicken and Fig Skewers

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (3)

Credit: James Ransom; Styling: Claire Spollen

Glazed Chicken and Fig Skewers Recipe

Because they will cook more quickly than the chicken, skewer the figs separately.

2 of 20

3 of 20

Lemon-Herb Chicken Skewers with Blueberry-Balsamic Salsa

Lemon-Herb Chicken Skewers with Blueberry-Balsamic Salsa

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (4)

Credit: Tru Studio

Lemon-Herb Chicken Skewers with Blueberry-Balsamic Salsa Recipe

Blueberries are the standout ingredient for the sweet and sour sauce that accompanies these grilled kebabs.

3 of 20

Advertisem*nt

4 of 20

Grilled Chicken Skewers with Asian Pear Slaw

Grilled Chicken Skewers with Asian Pear Slaw

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (5)

Credit: Hector Sanchez Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Grilled Chicken Skewers with Asian Pear Slaw Recipe

These great chicken skewers are accompanied by a tangy and crisp slaw.

4 of 20

5 of 20

Chicken Sate

Chicken Sate

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (6)

Credit: Romulo Yanes

5 of 20

6 of 20

Chicken Kebabs with Creamy Pesto

Chicken Kebabs with Creamy Pesto

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (7)

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Mindy Shapiro Levine

Chicken Kebabs with Creamy Pesto Recipe

Use the vegetables you have on-hand with chunks of protein-rich chicken for a 20-minute family-friendly meal.

6 of 20

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

7 of 20

Boka Dushi (Dutch West Indian Chicken Kebabs)

Boka Dushi (Dutch West Indian Chicken Kebabs)

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (8)

Credit: Randy Mayor; Jan Gautro

Boka Dushi (Dutch West Indian Chicken Kebabs) Recipe

This is the Dutch West Indian version of the classic Indonesian saté. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, molasses, lime juice, ginger, turmeric, and chile paste and served with a spicy peanut sauce.

7 of 20

8 of 20

Perfect Chicken Kabobs

Perfect Chicken Kabobs

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (9)

Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Perfect Chicken Kabobs Recipe

These chicken kabobs have rightfully earned the title of "perfect."

8 of 20

9 of 20

Chicken Kebabs and Nectarine Salsa

Herbed Couscous

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (10)

Credit: John Autry and Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Chicken Kebabs and Nectarine Salsa Recipe

This company-worthy meal has a hint of spice from the chicken that is balanced by the flavors from the nectarine salsa.

9 of 20

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

10 of 20

Yogurt-marinated Chicken Kebabs with Israeli Couscous

Yogurt-marinated Chicken Kebabs with Israeli Couscous

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (11)

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Dan Becker

Yogurt-marinated Chicken Kebabs with Israeli Couscous Recipe

Before grilling the chicken on skewers, coat the pieces in a mixture of yogurt, garam masala and curry powder for authentic Indian flavor.

10 of 20

11 of 20

Caribbean Chicken Kebabs with Lime-Cayenne Butter

Caribbean Chicken Kebabs with Lime-Cayenne Butter

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (12)

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Jan Gautro

Caribbean Chicken Kebabs with Lime-Cayenne Butter Recipe

Create the flavor of the islands by grilling chicken on skewers with pinepple, onion and bell pepper pieces, and topping with a spicy lime butter.

11 of 20

12 of 20

Grilled Chicken Kebabs with Romesco Sauce

Grilled Chicken Kebabs with Romesco Sauce

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (13)

Credit: Leo Gong; Styling: Dan Becker

Grilled Chicken Kebabs with Romesco Sauce Recipe

Grill seasoned chicken pieces on skewers and serve with a thick roasted red pepper sauce made by blending roasted red bell pepper, nuts, garlic and crusty bread.

12 of 20

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

13 of 20

Chicken Shawarma

Chicken Shawarma

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (14)

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro

Chicken Shawarma Recipe

Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish of garlicky meat or poultry served on pitas. This chicken version is flavored with a savory yogurt sauce.

13 of 20

14 of 20

Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Kebabs

Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Kebabs

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (15)

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Kebabs Recipe

Marinate chicken 30 minutes in a tangy-sweet mixture of orange juice and pomegranate molasses, and then grill the chicken pieces with orange sections and sprinkle with fresh mint.

14 of 20

15 of 20

Chicken Skewers with Soy-Mirin Marinade

Chicken Skewers with Soy-Mirin Marinade

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (16)

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Chicken Skewers with Soy-Mirin Marinade Recipe

Create a grilled chicken dish with Japanese flavor by marinating the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce and sweet rice wine and grilling on skewers with bell pepper and sprinkling with sesame seeds.

15 of 20

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

16 of 20

Chicken Kebabs with Spicy Sauce

Chicken Kebabs with Spicy Sauce

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (17)

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Chicken Kebabs with Spicy Sauce Recipe

That jar of salsa hanging out in the back of your fridge has more in store for it than a date with a bag of tortilla chips. Thiseasy chicken kebabs recipewill help you teach that lycopene-rich salsa some tasty new tricks.

16 of 20

17 of 20

Chicken Satay

Chicken Satay

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (18)

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Chicken Satay Recipe

Create an Indonesian-style meal by serving these spiced grilled chicken skewers with rice noodles tossed with cilantro, sesame seeds and sesame oil.

17 of 20

18 of 20

Chicken Anticuchos

Chicken Anticuchos

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (19)

Credit: Dylan andJeni; Styling: Scott Horne

Chicken Anticuchos Recipe

Look for aji amarillo paste, a spicy Peruvian seasoning made from yellow chile peppers, in Latin markets. It's wonderful in marinades and meat rubs.

18 of 20

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

19 of 20

Grilled Chicken Kebabs with Arugula Pesto

Grilled Chicken Kebabs with Arugula Pesto

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (20)

Credit: Greg DuPree

Grilled Chicken Kebabs with Arugula Pesto Recipe

Wake up your grill from winter hibernation with flavorful skewers (chicken, sweet onion, and zucchini) paired with a zippy arugula pesto on the side. Serve with plenty of crusty bread to mop up the pesto.

19 of 20

20 of 20

Chicken-and-Shrimp Kebabs with Summer Vegetables and Basil Oil

Kebabs; Photographer: Linda Pugliese; Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke; Food Stylist: Anna Hampt

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (21)

Credit: Linda Pugliese

Chicken-and-Shrimp Kebabs with Summer Vegetables and Basil Oil Recipe

20 of 20

Replay gallery

Up Next

Our Best Chicken Kebab Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Which chicken kebab is best? ›

Sheekh kebab: Minced chicken seasoned with spices and skewered, typically cooked in a tandoor. Great for those who prefer a dense, flavorful kebab. Tikka kebab: Chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, then grilled or skewered. Known for its tender texture and juicy flavor.

What is chicken kebab made of? ›

Chicken kebabs are so simple to make, they are basically marinaded chicken, threaded onto skewers and cooked through. For this recipe we use a marinade of yoghurt with paprika, cumin, a little cinnamon, chilli flakes, garlic and lemon.

What makes the perfect kebab? ›

The perfect kebab is the result of marination. The lamb and chicken must sit in a marinade of onions, bell pepper paste, white pepper, garlic, long-life milk, olive oil, tomato purée and fresh lime for 24 hours.

How do you know when chicken kebabs are done? ›

It's fairly simple to cook small chicken skewers and know when they're ready, however, because I never like to leave anything to chance (either over or undercooking chicken) I always use a quick read thermometer to pierce the chicken and take its internal temperature. The “safe” temperature for chicken is 75C.

Is chicken breast or thigh better for kebabs? ›

She also suggests using chicken thigh meat instead of breast meat for the most tender kabobs, and recommends always cooking them at about 350 degrees or medium heat. (If using a thermometer, meat should be 165 degrees.)

What cut of meat is best for kebabs? ›

Choose the Best Beef Cut for Kabobs

Relatively tender, without a need for extensive marinating, Sirloin (from top to tip) is lean and fits into a balanced diet — plus, it's budget-friendly . Other good beef choices for kabobs are Flat Iron or Strip Steak and even Tenderloin.

Is Chicken Kebab junk food? ›

Kebabs made from meat, as long as the meat is pretty lean, are fine, too. Kebabs, because they don't have sauce and are usually grilled, would be more healthy than a lot of other foods. They are certainly healthier than your typical cheeseburger, lasagna, loaded baked potato, or fried chicken.

What is the difference between chicken kebab and chicken shawarma? ›

The main shawarma-kebab difference lies in how the meat is cooked. For shawarmas, the meat is usually cooked using a rotisserie, while kebabs are prepared skewered. The doner or the kebab base is the only kind that resembles the classic shawarma.

How long to marinate chicken? ›

You can marinate chicken anywhere from 2 hours up to 24 hours, though marinating chicken for even 15 to 30 minutes can impart flavor and moisture into smaller pieces of meat. Generally, bone-in cuts of chicken, such as wings, drumsticks and breasts, will require a longer marinade time than their boneless counterparts.

What is the most common sauce on a kebab? ›

After the tzatziki sauce, the tahini sauce is probably the second most common option at most gyro and kebab places.

Why do you put baking soda in kebabs? ›

Here's where it gets science-y: The baking soda raises the pH on the outside of the meat as it marinates, in a process known as velveting (which can also be done with a cornstarch slurry). This makes it so the proteins have a harder time bonding to each other when it's time to cook the meat.

What kind of bread is used in kebabs? ›

Soft, fluffy Greek pita-style flatbreads (the pocketless kind). I love loading these up to make homemade Gyros or to serve with souvlaki kebabs. They stay soft and pliable, even when cold, so you can roll or fold them without the risk of them breaking.

What goes good with chicken kabobs? ›

What to Serve with Kabobs: 25 Crowd Pleasing Kabob Side Dishes
  • Produce. • 1 Corn, on the cob. • 1 Curried tomatoes and chickpeas. ...
  • Pasta & Grains. • 1 Coconut rice. • 1 Couscous. ...
  • Bread & Baked Goods. • 1 Garlic bread. ...
  • Snacks. • 1 Potato chips.
  • Frozen. • 1 Fruit salad or fruit kabobs.
  • Deli. • 1 Brown rice salad. ...
  • Other. • Tzatziki.

Can you prep chicken kabobs the night before? ›

Make Ahead Instructions: Make the chicken marinade and cut the vegetables 1-3 days in advance. Marinate the chicken for up to 6 hours ahead of time. Oven Instructions: If you don't have a grill available, you can make chicken kebabs in the oven or on a grill pan on your stove.

What is the most common kebab? ›

The Popular One: Doner Kebab

This is a very popular kebab in the UK which comes from Turkey where it is served as a street food. The Greek term 'gyro' and Arabic term 'shawarma' arose from the doner kebab. This meat is cooked on an upright rotisserie and served as thin slices which are shaved off.

Which style of Turkish kebab is most well known? ›

Şiş Kebab. The most common variety of kebab is marinated lamb or beef cooked on a skewer called a "shish," or written in Turkish as şiş. Vegetables are sometimes cooked along with them, wherein typical vegetables include eggplant, tomato, bell pepper, onions, pickles and mushrooms.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 6392

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.