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The best part is that this marinade will infuse your chicken kabobs with loads of flavor in as little as 20 minutes!
Should Chicken Kabobs Be Marinated Before Grilling?
The main reason for using a marinade is to make your chicken kabobs more flavorful. With a citrus marinade, you only need 20 minutes to 4 hours to infuse your kebabs with flavor before grilling.
Ingredients
This marinade is made with olive oil, which adds flavor and helps coat the chicken with the other ingredients, zest and juice from a fresh lemon (if you have a lime, use this cilantro lime marinade instead), garlic cloves, salt, pepper, and fresh or dried oregano.
Do you Cut Chicken Before or After Marinating?
The chicken for kabobs should be cut into 1-inch cubes before adding it to the marinade so it absorbs as much of the flavors in the marinade as possible. If you’re using this marinade on a chicken breast and plan on grilling it, then there’s no need to cut it.
How Long to Marinate Chicken Kabobs?
When using a marinade that contains citrus in the ingredients, you only need 20 minutes and up to 4 hours to get the most of the flavor. Marinades without it, like a Korean chicken marinade, a pesto marinade, or a spicy chicken marinade, can sit in the marinade overnight.
Laura’s Grilling Tips for Marinated Chicken Kabobs
This is especially important if you’re using wooden skewers, as they can burn or, worse, catch fire.
Cut them about 1-inch, so they thread easily through the middle of the skewer and won’t fall through the grilling grates.
I like to add a couple of tablespoons to a bowl before adding the chicken to the marinade bag, and then toss the veggies with it to give them some flavor.
Once the grill is hot and you’re ready to grill them, grease the grill first, then place the kabobs on it. Cook them with the lid open until you flip them over, and then close the lid till the end.
Chicken Kabob Marinade (20-Min Recipe)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large lemon, juiced & zested
- 2 cloves garlic, grated*
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano*
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 lbs of chicken breasts, cubed
Instructions
Marinate the chicken:
- In a medium bowl, whisk the olive oil with lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Pour the marinade into a large zip bag.
- Add the cubed chicken breasts to the marinade, and seal. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to 4 hours.
- Tip: while the chicken marinades, this is a great time to soak your wooden skewers (if using).
Assemble the skewers:
- Thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers, alternating with vegetables if using. Discard the marinade.
Notes
- Use 1 teaspoon garlic powder if you don't have whole cloves.
- You can swap it with 1 tablespoon of fresh oregano.
amy liu dong says
This is perfect for a summer cookout, backyard picnic, or pool party. So delicious!
Elizabeth says
The lemon garlic flavor of this marinade is fantastic! So delicious, my family loved it!
Marie-Pierre Breton says
These skewers were perfect for the BBQ season; they are so delicious and fresh! Ideal for the kids also!
Lathiya says
I love this marinade. No fancy ingredients but it gives the amazing flavor to the chicken kabobs.
amy liu dong says
It has so much flavor and it looks so easy to make. I like it!