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Delicious grilled lemon pepper chicken skewers served on a white platter with fresh lemon slices, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber.
Linda

Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers

Juicy chicken pieces are marinated in a vibrant lemon and cracked black pepper mixture, then threaded onto skewers and grilled to smoky perfection, making for a quick and flavorful meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 360

Ingredients
  

For the Lemon Pepper Marinade
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 0.25 cup olive oil
  • 2 lemons zested and juiced (about 1/4 cup juice)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
For Assembly & Garnish
  • 8 bamboo or metal skewers if using bamboo, soak in water for 30 minutes prior
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Grill or broiler pan
  • Tongs
  • Skewers (metal or bamboo)

Method
 

Prepare Chicken & Marinade
  1. If using bamboo skewers, place them in a shallow dish of water to soak for at least 30 minutes. Cut the chicken breasts into uniform 1-inch cubes. This helps them cook evenly.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, Kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
  3. Add the cubed chicken to the bowl with the marinade. Toss well to ensure all the chicken is coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for best flavor. Do not marinate longer than 4 hours as the lemon juice can start to "cook" the chicken.
Assemble Skewers
  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C) or your broiler to high. Remove the chicken from the marinade and thread the chicken pieces onto the prepared skewers, leaving a small space between each piece to allow for even cooking. Discard any remaining marinade.
  2. Place the skewers on the hot grill grates or on a broiler pan. Grill for 10-14 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and has nice char marks. If broiling, cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked.
  3. Remove the skewers from the heat and let them rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, and serve hot.

Notes

For extra zest, give the cooked skewers another squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving.
Don't overcrowd the skewers! Leave a little space between the chicken pieces so they cook evenly and get nice char on all sides.
These skewers are fantastic served with a simple rice pilaf, a fresh green salad, or tucked into warm pita bread with a dollop of tzatziki.