Mediterranean Chicken Shish Kabob Recipe [Video] (2024)

Published: Feb 20, 2019 · Modified: Mar 30, 2021 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

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Here's an easy chicken shish kabob recipe that can be made on the grill or in the oven. These Mediterranean chicken kabobs are richly flavored with delicious spices.

Mediterranean Chicken Shish Kabob Recipe [Video] (1)

Another day, another shish kabob recipe. Now you can have a kabob extravaganza with the best beef shish kabob, shrimp kabobs, veggie shish kabob and of course, our delicious salmon shish kabobs! Today I'm going to show you how to make chicken shish kabob with the best marinade ever. No boring chicken around here my friends!

Table Of Contents:

What cut of chicken to use
The marinade
Instructions
Oven instructions
Stovetop instructions
Serving suggestions
Frequently Asked Questions
Notes and tips
More chicken recipes
Step-by-Step Recipe

What cut of chicken to use

There has always been a debate between kabob enthusiasts about what cut of chicken works best for kabobs:breast or thighs?

Both chicken breast and chicken thigh work well as long as they are boneless and skinless. It really depends on your own taste and preference. For some recipes such as grilled zaatar chicken, I prefer thighs. However, same as our Greek grilled chicken, I opted for chicken breast for this chicken shish kabob recipe as well but you can also use boneless skinless thighs cut into one inch pieces.

The steps will be the same, however the cooking time may vary depending on the heat and size of the chicken pieces.

The marinade

Mediterranean Chicken Shish Kabob Recipe [Video] (2)

If you've been a long-time reader, you know we live for the Mediterranean flavors and spices. This marinade is probably one of the best chicken marinades out there and once you try it, you'll know why I make that claim.

To make this chicken kabob marinade, you need the following ingredients:

Olive oil: A good amount of extra virgin olive oil makes the chicken tender and so delicious.
Garlic: I love the flavor of garlic in marinades so I'm pretty generous with it. If you like it more subtle, use fewer cloves.
Spices: The combination of cumin, sumac and paprika adds a lot of color and flavor to the chicken. Sumac is a middle eastern spice that you can find in almost any supermarket these days. It's dark red and tangy which adds a nice kick to the dish.
Lemon juice: As always, it's best to use freshly squeezed lemon juice instead of bottled ones. It adds so much brightness to the dish!

Instructions

Mix the spices, minced garlic, lemon juice and olive oil in a large bowl.
Add in the chicken pieces and stir well to make sure they all are covered with the marinade. You can also complete this step using a gallon size resealable bag by putting the marinade and the chicken pieces in the bag, sealing and shaking well.
Heat the grill and once the grill is ready, thread the marinated chicken and vegetables on skewers and grill until fully cooked.
Serve warm with your favorite side dishes.

Mediterranean Chicken Shish Kabob Recipe [Video] (3)

Oven instructions

Whether it's cold outside or you don't own a grill, using an oven is always a good option when you want to make kabobs. The steps are similar:

Prepare the marinade and marinate the chicken.
Thread the chicken pieces on skewers and place them on a baking sheet lines with aluminum foil.
Heat the oven to 400ºF and bake them in the oven for about 25 minutes until fully cooked.
Turn them once halfway through the cooking time and turn on the broiler for about 2-4 minutes at the very end right before serving.

Mediterranean Chicken Shish Kabob Recipe [Video] (4)

Stovetop instructions

If you're looking for an easy chicken dinner, these kabobs can easily be made on the stove top using a grill pan. Marinate the chicken pieces and then thread them on skewers. Place the grill pan over medium heat and once hot, place the kabobs on the pan. Don't move them for about four minutes until they're cooked on one side and are golden brown. Flip and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes.

Serving suggestions

Mediterranean chicken shish kabobs can be served with different side dishes such as Mediterranean oven roasted vegetables, Briam (Greek roasted vegetables) or Mediterranean grilled vegetables. Here are a few of our favorites:

Starchy sides:

The Best Greek Potatoes [Video]
Turkish Rice Pilaf with Orzo Recipe
Mediterranean Couscous Salad Recipe
Easy Mediterranean Potato Salad

Salads:

Tabouli Salad Recipe (Tabbouleh)
Fattoush Salad Recipe
Turkish Tomato Salad Recipe (Gavurdagi)
The Best Mediterranean Salad Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I marinate the chicken for?

Notes and tips

If you don't like the spices used in this marinade, you can always change or leave them out. This marinade has a Mediterranean flavor with a good kick from sumac. If you like it to be spicy, increase the amount of cayenne pepper.
Marinate the chicken for at least one hour for great flavor. Don't marinate the chicken for over 24 hours.
Shish kabob is traditionally made on the grill but you can also make it in the oven or on the stove. If making chicken kabobs on the stove, I suggest you use a grill pan.
You can grill shish kabobs with or without veggies. I also like to garnish them with chopped parsley, cilantro or basil for a fresh kick of flavor.

More chicken recipes

Persian Chicken with Saffron
Moroccan Chicken Recipe with Couscous
Easy Mediterranean Chicken Recipe
Spicy Grilled Chicken Wings

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Step-by-Step Recipe