If you've been here a while, you know about the importance of Tzatziki in my life. It's one of the best condiments of all times! Now pair that with the most succulent chicken skewers, and you're in business. Ready? Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers are happening.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
This recipe is everything I want from grilled chicken: juicy, tender, packed with flavor, and a little smoky from the grill. The yogurt marinade works overtime to tenderize the chicken and infuse it with garlic, lemon, and warm spices. And the tzatziki... creamy, herby, and cooling, it’s the perfect match to that charred chicken. You can make the whole thing ahead of time, it’s great for entertaining, and it never fails to disappear fast.
The marinade for these Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers is loaded with crushed red pepper flakes, sweet paprika, red wine vinegar, tomato paste, garlic, and fresh lemon juice. It’s absolute perfection. They’ve got a little kick, but nothing crazy, promise.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Sweet Paprika
- Whole Milk Greek Yogurt
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Tomato Paste
- Coarse Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper freshly ground
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs and/or Breasts
- Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.
How to Make Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers
Step 1: Combine the crushed red pepper and paprika in large bowl and stir in 2 tablespoons of hot water and let stand for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Add the yogurt, olive oil, red wine vinegar, tomato paste, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper to spice mixture in bowl; whisk to combine.
Step 3: Stir in garlic and lemon juice, then chicken. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.
Step 4: Prepare grill over medium-high heat. Thread chicken pieces on skewers, dividing equally. Discard marinade in bowl. Sprinkle each skewer with salt and pepper.
Step 5: Grill chicken until golden brown and cooked through, turning skewers occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes total. Transfer skewers to platter. Serve with tzatziki and extra lemon wedges.
How to Store Grilled Chicken Skewers
You can store these in the fridge like any chicken dish, in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
How to Freeze Grilled Chicken Skewers
You can freeze these. Take them off the skewers and freeze them in the right portion sizes you need promptly. Store them up to 3 months and thaw in fridge overnight when it is time to eat.
Tips & Tricks
Let the chicken marinate for at least an hour, but overnight is even better if you want max flavor.
Chicken thighs stay juicier on the grill, but you can totally do a mix of breasts and thighs.
Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling so they don’t burn.
Make the tzatziki a few hours ahead and let it hang out in the fridge to let the flavors develop.
Serve these skewers with warm pita, a big salad, or over rice for a full meal.
FAQs
Should I use chicken thigh or breasts?
You can use either! I normally use chicken thighs when making skewers. Chicken thighs are higher in fat, so the meat will be more tender and juicy after grilling. If using chicken breasts, just keep an eye on them so they don’t overcook. Thighs are a little more forgiving.
Can I cook this indoors?
Absolutely. Use a grill pan or broil them in the oven. You’ll still get great flavor.
How long does tzatziki last?
It’ll keep for 3 to 4 days in the fridge, just stir before serving.
Similar Recipes
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today
Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6 garlic cloves roughly chopped
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1 lemon cut into wedges/sliced for serving
- 2 ¼ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs and/or breasts, cut into 1 ¼-inch cubes
- 1 Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the crushed red pepper and paprika. Stir in 2 tablespoons of hot water and let it sit for 5 minutes. Add the yogurt, olive oil, red wine vinegar, tomato paste, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Whisk to combine, then stir in the garlic and lemon juice. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Thread the chicken onto skewers, dividing evenly. Discard any remaining marinade. Season the skewers with salt and pepper.
- Grill the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, turning occasionally, about 10 to 12 minutes total.
- Serve the skewers with tzatziki and lemon wedges.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo Credit: Matt Armendariz / Food Styling Credit: Adam Pearson / Recipe: What's Gaby Cooking
Do you think the this marinade could work on tofu?
I havent tried it! but I would think so
These sound so delicious! I will double the recipe for my family of six. I'm a little worried the chicken might have too much heat for my youngest. OK to reduce the amount of crushed red pepper by 1/2? Thanks for sharing all your wonderful recipes!!
We love this recipe and it never disappoints! I’m wondering if I could make the marinade and add the chicken then freeze it prior to grilling? I’m trying to prep some freezer meals and don’t know how the yogurt will hold up if I freeze it, thaw it, then grill it.
Thanks for always putting out such great recipes and content!
yes I don't see why that wouldn't work!!
I used the marinade on boneless chicken breasts and it was fabulous. Great flavor!
Okay...this was the BEST Chicken ever. It was so moist and full of flavor. My husband wants it on repeat immediately.
Delicious! Chicken is moist with a bit of heat, really good and it was a hit with my family!!
This recipe is perfection! The entire family started asking for it again just one day after making it. Thank you, Gaby! Wonderful recipe.
so happy to hear it
This chicken was so moist and flavorful! Served tonight with rice but next time will be a couscous tabbouleh. Hubs raving about it too.
Hi! I don't know if anyone who's made this recipe or the author will see this in time, but I am going to make this recipe tonight for my family (8 people) and I was wondering how many skewers this made/how many people this recipe serves? Thanks!
double the recipe! This serves 4 as written
Thank you so much! Very excited to try it 🙂
Cannot recommend these enough!! Always a hit. Was a little nervous to use Greek yogurt in this recipe, but the chicken was so, so good!!
BEST greek chicken I've ever had. SO much flavor.
This chicken was absolutely incredible - I will definitely be making this again!!
Would it be ok to let these marinate overnight? Trying to get as much as possible done the night before
yes!
Whoa! This is sooo good! Never made chicken like this before. I also was pleased at the grocery store today, at how affordable this meal is...always a plus! I love chicken thighs and im excited to have a new recipe to throw into the rotation!
Love you and all your recipes!!
Jennifer