Juicy Grilled Chicken Skewers with Lemon and Herbs

Pressed for time between work, school runs and evening activities? These quick and easy grilled chicken skewers are a lifesaver for busy weeknights and a hit at summer cookouts. They come together fast, use simple ingredients, and taste like more effort than they require.

For more skewer inspiration, try recipes like Teriyaki Chicken Skewers or Chimichurri Steak Skewers for different flavors and marinades.

Step 1: Prep the chicken skewer ingredients

For juicier, more flavorful skewers, I recommend using boneless chicken thighs rather than breast. Thighs have more fat and tolerate high heat on the grill without drying out. If you prefer breasts, follow the cooking guidance in the FAQs below to keep them tender.

Pick crunchy, sturdy vegetables that hold up to direct heat. Good options include:

• Bell peppers (red, yellow, orange)
• Hot peppers (if you like heat)
• Mushrooms
• Small tomatoes (cherub or grape tomatoes)
• Zucchini
• Asparagus (thicker stalks work best)
• Sweet fruit like pineapple or peach for a caramelized touch
• Onion (red or yellow)

Cube the chicken thighs into roughly 1-inch pieces so everything cooks evenly. Cut the vegetables to similar bite-sized pieces. For this recipe I used yellow and red bell peppers plus red onion — simple, colorful, and delicious. Using what you already have in the fridge helps reduce waste and makes these skewers even easier.

Place the cut chicken and vegetables in a large bowl. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and season with your favorite all-purpose rub — a mix of salt, pepper and paprika works beautifully. Toss to coat, then thread the pieces onto skewers, alternating chicken and vegetables for balanced cooking and flavor.

Recipe Tip

• If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20–30 minutes before grilling so they don’t burn. Metal skewers are reusable and more durable if you have them.

Step 2: Grill up the chicken skewers

Preheat your grill to high direct heat, around 450°F (230°C). Place the skewers on the grates and cook, turning frequently. Flip every minute or so for a total of about 10 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 175°F (79°C) when using thighs. This quick, frequent turning helps develop even char without overcooking.

Just before serving, brush the skewers with your favorite BBQ sauce and leave them on the grill for an additional minute to let the sauce caramelize. A store-bought sauce or a simple homemade BBQ sauce both work well — adjust sweetness and heat to taste. Once the sauce is lightly caramelized, remove the skewers and let them rest for about 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Similar Recipe Ideas

Peach and Whiskey Chicken Skewers — fruit adds sweetness and caramelization.

Grilled Whole Shrimp — quick, smoky seafood skewers for a different protein.

Huli Huli Chicken Skewers — sweet and savory Hawaiian-style glaze.

Honey and Ginger Glazed Beef Skewers — a great alternative for beef lovers.

Chicken Skewers

These simple grilled chicken skewers are a quick, family-friendly summer recipe. Prep is fast, ingredients are flexible, and the results are reliably tasty.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp Dad’s All Purpose rub (or your preferred all-purpose seasoning)
• 2 tbsp BBQ sauce (for brushing at the end)
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
• Olive oil for tossing

Instructions

1. Cut the chicken thighs, bell peppers and onion into 1-inch cubes. Place the cut ingredients in a bowl.
2. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season with the all-purpose rub. Toss to coat evenly.
3. Thread the chicken and vegetables onto skewers, alternating items so each skewer has a mix of chicken and veggies.
4. Preheat the grill to high direct heat (about 450°F / 230°C). Place the skewers on the grill.
5. Flip the skewers every minute for roughly 10 minutes total, or until chicken reaches 175°F (79°C) for thighs.
6. Brush skewers with BBQ sauce and leave on the grill for another minute to caramelize the sauce.
7. Remove skewers from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 539 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Sodium: 268 mg
• Vitamin C: 95 mg