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
Super juicy and delish!
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!
THANK YOU!!!! Best comment ever 🙂
This made it right to the top of the "make again" list -- thank you!!!
Can the chicken marinate overnight?
100%
Is it essential to use whole milk yogurt or can Fage (non-fat) be substituted? Thank you.
any yogurt works
I made this the other night and it was quite spicy. Is it supposed to be ?
the red pepper flakes give it some heat! but it shouldn't have been crazy spicy
ok, thanks for letting me know. i making them again tomorrow. Mkght just leave out the red pepper. they were delicious otherwise!
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!!
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!
If
If I want to make inside- no grill- what's the best way?
you can use a indoor grill pan or a skillet instead of a BBQ
Chicken is marinating in the fridge as we speak. Cannot wait! 🙂
yayy!! enjoy it!
The bread look wonderful too 🙂 recipe?
it's just store bought pita bread that I threw on the grill for a few seconds on each side!! DELISH!
I just love anything that give me another excuse to eat tzatziki!
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!!!
Love everything about this! Grilling season is the best, and your flavors are spot on!
The look amazing! Even the hubby had good comments, so I'm pretty sure they'll be on the menu next week. 🙂