Flavorful Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs with Zesty Garlic Yogurt Sauce: A Perfect Grilled Dinner
Prepare to elevate your weeknight meals or summer cookouts with these incredibly flavorful Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs, served with a cooling Garlic Yogurt Sauce. Bursting with the aromatic essence of Mediterranean spices, tangy lemon, and savory garlic, these chicken skewers are marinated to perfection, grilled until tender and juicy, and then topped with a refreshing, creamy sauce that perfectly complements their rich flavors. Guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, these kebabs are not just a meal; they’re an experience waiting to happen.
Why You’ll Love These Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs
These Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs have quickly become a staple in my kitchen, and I’m confident they’ll become one in yours too. The primary reason is, without a doubt, the explosion of flavor in every bite. But beyond the incredible taste, their versatility and simplicity make them an absolute winner. Imagine having your lean protein and a generous portion of colorful veggies all on one convenient stick! For those seeking a delicious and healthy low-carb dinner option, these grilled chicken skewers stand alone beautifully. However, if you’re like me and sometimes crave a delicious carb companion, they pair wonderfully with an array of side dishes. Consider serving them alongside a vibrant Greek Panzanella Salad with Garlic Lemon Vinaigrette or even a comforting, creamy Potato Salad with Eggs and Pickles for a more substantial and satisfying meal.
The beauty of this dish also lies in its adaptability, especially when it comes to the accompanying sauce. While I’ve crafted a simple yet exquisite Garlic Yogurt Sauce specifically for these Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs, you have fantastic alternatives. A classic Traditional Greek Tzatziki sauce offers a familiar, refreshing zest, with its cucumber and mint notes. For a bolder, more robust flavor profile, a rich Spanish Romesco Sauce would also be an exceptional pairing. All these delightful options promise to complement the rich, smoky, and aromatic flavors of the chicken beautifully, allowing you to customize your meal to your preference.
The Secret to Unforgettable Flavor: Our Mediterranean Marinade
The unparalleled flavor of these Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs comes from a potent and aromatic marinade. While a minimum of a half-hour soak is recommended before grilling, truly exceptional results are achieved with longer marinating times—ideally, 2-4 hours, or even overnight if you can plan ahead. This extended period allows the chicken to fully absorb the complex medley of spices and citrus, ensuring every bite is succulent, tender, and bursting with taste. Our signature marinade blends the best of Mediterranean-inspired ingredients, each contributing to a harmonious and deep flavor profile:
- Sweet Paprika: Provides a foundational sweetness and a beautiful, vibrant red color to the chicken.
- Smoked Spicy Paprika (Spanish Pimentón): A crucial ingredient that adds a deep, complex smoky depth and a subtle, warming kick, elevating the overall spice profile.
- Italian Seasoning: A convenient blend of classic Mediterranean herbs like oregano, basil, sage, and garlic, it contributes an authentic herbaceous note that ties the flavors together.
- Nutmeg: A surprising yet welcome addition that brings warmth and a hint of exotic sweetness, harmonizing beautifully with the other savory spices.
- Cardamom: Known for its intensely aromatic, slightly sweet, and floral flavor, cardamom adds an authentic and captivating touch often found in Middle Eastern and East Mediterranean cuisine.
- Fresh Garlic: Essential for that pungent, savory base. We use chopped fresh garlic for maximum impact, a cornerstone of nearly all Mediterranean dishes.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: The bright acidity from freshly squeezed lemon juice not only tenderizes the chicken but also brilliantly cuts through and brightens all the other flavors, preventing the marinade from becoming too heavy.
- High-Quality Olive Oil: The perfect carrier for all the fat-soluble flavors from the spices and herbs. It helps the marinade penetrate the chicken and ensures moisture retention during grilling, resulting in juicy skewers.
- Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that are critical for enhancing and balancing all the other intricate ingredients, bringing out their best qualities.
To prepare your chicken and vegetables for marinating, begin by cutting your chicken breasts into uniform cubes – about 1-inch pieces work best for even cooking and easy skewering. Similarly, chop your vibrant bell peppers and red onions into bite-sized squares and quarters, respectively, ensuring they are roughly the same size as the chicken for consistent grilling. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed chicken, chopped peppers, and onions. Whisk all the marinade ingredients together thoroughly in a separate small bowl until well combined and fragrant, then pour this aromatic mixture generously over the chicken and vegetables. Toss everything gently to ensure every single piece is thoroughly coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. However, for a truly exceptional depth of flavor that makes these kebabs unforgettable, aim for a longer marinating time of 2-4 hours, or even better, overnight. While your chicken marinates, remember a crucial step if you’re using wooden skewers: soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to an hour to prevent them from burning on the grill. If you’re using durable metal skewers, you can happily skip this step and move straight to assembly!
The Perfect Companion: Creamy Garlic Yogurt Sauce
To perfectly balance the bold, spiced, and smoky flavors of the grilled Mediterranean chicken kebabs, a cooling and creamy sauce is absolutely essential. My simple Garlic Yogurt Sauce does just the trick, requiring only a few fresh ingredients and minimal effort to prepare. It acts as a refreshing counterpoint, adding a layer of tang and creaminess that rounds out the entire dish, making each bite harmonious and satisfying:
- Natural Yogurt: The base of our sauce, providing a wonderfully creamy texture and a pleasant, subtle tang. If you opt for much thicker Greek yogurt, you might need to add a splash of water or a bit of milk to achieve a more pourable, sauce-like consistency that’s ideal for drizzling.
- Fresh Garlic: Finely chopped or minced, it infuses the sauce with its signature pungent aroma and savory flavor, a staple in any good Mediterranean sauce.
- Fresh Dill: Brings a bright, herbaceous, and slightly anise-like note that is wonderfully refreshing and a classic herb pairing in many Mediterranean and Eastern European sauces.
- Lemon Juice: A generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice further enhances the tanginess of the yogurt and brightens the fresh dill, expertly tying all the vibrant flavors together.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A drizzle adds richness, a silky mouthfeel, and helps to emulsify the sauce, contributing to a smoother texture and a delicate hint of fruitiness.
- Salt & Pepper: Fundamental for seasoning the sauce to perfection, ensuring it’s well-balanced and complements the chicken beautifully.
Simply combine all these delightful sauce ingredients in a small bowl and mix well until smooth and thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your preference. This versatile sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, allowing the flavors to meld even further and develop a richer taste.
Grilling to Perfection and Ideal Serving Suggestions
Summer is truly the ideal season for these incredible Mediterranean chicken kebabs! There’s nothing quite like the sizzle of food on an outdoor grill, and these kebabs are a prime example of why. Once your chicken and vegetables have been thoroughly marinated and your skewers are meticulously assembled, it’s time to hit the grill. Preheat your grill to a medium-hot temperature to ensure even cooking and beautiful char marks. Carefully place the skewers on the hot grill grates, making sure there’s enough space between them for proper air circulation and even cooking.
Grill the skewers for approximately 12-15 minutes, turning them frequently (every 3-4 minutes) to achieve a beautiful char on all sides and ensure the chicken cooks through evenly without drying out. The chicken is perfectly cooked when its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) as measured with a meat thermometer, and it’s no longer pink in the center. The vegetables should be tender-crisp with appealing grill marks and a slight smoky flavor. Once off the grill, let the kebabs rest for a few minutes before serving. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor.
Serve these fantastic Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs immediately, drizzled generously with your freshly made Garlic Yogurt Sauce, or present the sauce on the side in a small bowl for dipping. These kebabs are deliciously satisfying on their own, offering a complete meal with protein and vegetables. However, for a truly authentic and satisfying Mediterranean feast, consider serving them with homemade Easy Soft Flatbread from the excellent Recipe Tin Eats to scoop up all those delicious flavors. You could also serve them with a simple couscous salad, fluffy quinoa, or a vibrant fresh green salad for a lighter option. Don’t let summer pass you by without making these! Let’s get grilling!
Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs with Garlic Yogurt Sauce Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts cut into cubes
- 1 red onion cut in quarters
- 1 pepper bell, cut into squares
Marinade
- 2 teaspoon Sweet Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon Smoked Paprika Spanish, hot
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1/2 cup olive oil extra virgin
Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- 1 cup yogurt natural
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon dill chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
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Add all the marinade ingredients to a small bowl and mix well together.
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In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken, bell peppers, and red onions.
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Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken and vegetables. Toss to coat evenly, then cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or ideally 2-4 hours for maximum flavor).
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If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes while the chicken marinates to prevent burning on the grill.
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After marinating, thread the chicken, onions, and peppers onto the skewers in an alternating pattern until all ingredients are used.
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Preheat your grill to medium-hot heat. Cook the skewers for about 15 minutes, turning often, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The vegetables should be tender-crisp with nice grill marks.
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While the kebabs are grilling, prepare the Garlic Yogurt Sauce: in a separate bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients and mix well until smooth.
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Serve the hot Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs immediately with a generous dollop or drizzle of the creamy Garlic Yogurt Sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
For the Garlic Yogurt sauce, natural yogurt (plain, unflavored) is recommended for its ideal consistency. If you prefer to use Greek yogurt, which is much thicker, you may need to whisk in a tablespoon or two of water (or milk) to achieve a smoother, more saucy texture.
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 126
More Delicious Mediterranean and Grilled Recipes to Explore
If you loved these Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs, you’re in for a treat! The rich and vibrant world of Mediterranean flavors offers endless possibilities for fresh, healthy, and incredibly satisfying meals. From savory grilled meats to zesty seafood and delightful appetizers, there’s always something new to discover. Here are a few other awesome recipes from Eating European that you might enjoy, perfect for your next barbecue or a simple weeknight dinner, bringing the taste of Europe to your table:
Grilled Chicken Shawarma
Embark on a culinary journey to the Middle East with this amazing Grilled Chicken Shawarma. This dish comes together super quickly, filling your kitchen with an intoxicating aroma of fragrant spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric. It’s a guaranteed showstopper that disappears from plates in seconds! Try this tender chicken recipe, packed with rich, authentic flavors, for your next BBQ and you’ll surely “wow” all your guests with its irresistible taste and tender texture. Serve it in warm pita bread with a drizzle of tahini sauce.
Honey Harissa Chicken Skewers with Garlic Mint Sauce
Discover an incredible fusion of sweet and spicy with these Honey Harissa Chicken Skewers. This recipe offers an amazing combination of Mediterranean and North African flavors, resulting in super tasty and uniquely seasoned skewers. The rich, spicy harissa paste, sweetened with a touch of honey, creates a delectable glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the grill. This bold flavor is perfectly complemented by a refreshing dollop of vibrant garlic mint sauce. My guests couldn’t get enough of these, and neither will yours once you taste this delightful pairing!
Italian Antipasto Skewers with Balsamic Reduction
For a delightful appetizer that’s both elegant and easy to prepare, these Italian Antipasto Skewers are perfect little bites of traditional Italian flavors conveniently served on a stick. They offer a delicious combination of savory cured meats (like salami or prosciutto), fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), tangy marinated artichoke hearts, sweet cherry tomatoes, and briny olives. Drizzled with a rich, glossy balsamic reduction, these vibrant skewers make for one awesome crowd-pleaser that’s ideal for parties, picnics, or a light snack.
Grilled Shrimp with Garlic Sauce
If you’re a fan of seafood, you absolutely must try this Grilled Shrimp with Garlic Sauce. These plump, juicy shrimp are grilled to perfection, developing a slight char and incredible sweetness, then tossed in a delectable garlic sauce that’s both simple to make and incredibly flavorful. It’s a quick and elegant dish that works equally well as a tantalizing appetizer or a light, refreshing main course. This recipe brings a taste of the Mediterranean coast right to your plate, perfect for a speedy yet impressive meal.
