Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers

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Okay. So we’ve talked about the importance of Tzatziki. Now let's tackle the most amazing chicken skewers EVER, that get slathered with Tzatziki like whoa. Ready? Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers are happening.

A platter with yogurt marinated chicken skewers along with lemon slices, a bowl with tzatziki and plates on the side with the skewers served with pita.


 

Why I Love This Recipe

These Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers are insane. Literally, they shouldn’t be legal. We shot these down in the studio a few weeks back and the entire team gobbled them up in seconds. The chicken is moist and grilled to utter perfection.

Now I know we’ve all heard of marinating chicken in yogurt… but these go so far beyond that!! The marinade for Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers is packed with crushed red pepper flakes, sweet paprika, red wine vinegar, tomato paste, garlic and lemon juice. It's perfection. They are slightly spicy but just a hint! Promise me you’ll make these. Because if you do, I can guarantee you that you’ll want to use this recipe for the rest of your life. AND THEN you can dip the chicken into the homemade Tzatziki we talked about the other day or turn them into chicken stuffed pitas. Game OVER. Send me an invite - I can't get enough!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Mise en place of all ingredients to make yogurt marinated grilled chicken skewers.
  • 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

A large glass mixing bowl with crushed red pepper and paprika mixed with some hot water.

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.

A large glass mixing bowl with crushed red pepper and paprika paste, and yogurt, salt, blacker pepper, olive oil, red wine vinegar and tomato paste just added.

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.

A large glass mixing bowl with chicken cubes added to the yogurt marinade, with garlic and lemon juice added.

Step 3: Stir in garlic and lemon juice, then chicken. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.

A rectangular dish with wooden skewers with the marinated chicken cubes threaded on them.

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.

A rectangular dish with grilled chicken skewers with a bowl of tzatziki and a bowl of lemon wedges on the side.

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

If tzatziki isn't your thing, serve with ranch or barbecue sauce.

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.

How long should I marinate the chicken?

At least 1 hour in the fridge, but if you do longer that is only better.

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

Author: Gaby Dalkin
4.9 from 14 votes
These are the most amazing chicken skewers EVER, that get slathered with Tzatziki like whoa. Ready? Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers are happening.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinating Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Main Course, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4 people

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 recipe Homemade Tzatziki Sauce

Instructions
 

  • Combine the crushed red pepper and paprika in large bowl and stir in 2 tablespoons of hot water and let stand for 5 minutes. 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. Stir in garlic and lemon juice, then chicken. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.
  • Prepare grill over medium-high heat. Thread chicken pieces on skewers, dividing equally. Discard marinade in bowl. Sprinkle each skewer with salt and pepper.
  • 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.

Notes

If tzatziki isn't your thing, serve with ranch or barbecue sauce.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 515kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 62g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 173mg | Sodium: 1749mg | Potassium: 1200mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1091IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 160mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @WhatsGabyCookin or tag #whatsgabycooking!

Photo Credit: Matt Armendariz / Food Styling Credit: Adam Pearson / Recipe: What's Gaby Cooking

57 Comments

  1. Thank you for this recipe, Gaby. I've made it repeatedly so an expression of my gratitude is way overdue. You are quite right: this recipe is perfection. Simple; actually, foolproof. And fabulously tasty. You've achieved the perfect balance of flavors, plus the chicken always turns out amazingly moist. For a full meal, I like serving it with rice or a whole grain and a salad. Tonight I'm serving it with my favorite Lebanese-style tabbouleh (http://hapanom.com/tabbouleh). It's also great with a chopped Israeli salad.

    I must confess, when I've been sort on time I've marinated for only 20 minutes and not bothered with skewers (i.e., served whole chicken thighs) with great success. When I've got my act together, I marinate overnight or up to 24 hours which is The Best. So, the recipe has proven itself as very forgiving and adaptable. Yay!

    Gotta go start the grill! Thanks again!

    1. ok, thanks for letting me know. i making them again tomorrow. Mkght just leave out the red pepper. they were delicious otherwise!

  2. I am NOT repeat: NOT a cook cook. My husband was on a business trip and had these so I scoured the internet for recipes all morning. This was the easiest recipe for me (and i added more crushed pepper because we like spicy). These were an absolute hit for my picky husband!! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!

  3. This recipe looks perfect!!! I love a healthy, easy, and delicious meal. I will be making this ASAP! Any suggestions for what to pair it with to make a complete meal? A good recipe for flavorful rice or veggies? Salad? Thanks!

    1. it's just store bought pita bread that I threw on the grill for a few seconds on each side!! DELISH!

  4. I made these last night and they were a big hit with the family. Just the right amount of spice. The tzatziki was perfect as well. thank you!!!

  5. The look amazing! Even the hubby had good comments, so I'm pretty sure they'll be on the menu next week. 🙂

4.93 from 14 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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