Big Barbecue Chicken Kebab
A quick and easy recipe for Big Barbecue Chicken Kebab featuring bold spices, tender chicken, and smoky BBQ flavors. Ready in under 30 minutes, these juicy grilled kebabs are perfect for parties and busy days, delivering protein-rich, flavorful bites with minimal prep and maximum taste.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken and Marinade
- 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into generous chunks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Additional Equipment
- Wooden or metal skewers (if wooden, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes)
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper until fully combined to create a fragrant marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken chunks to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat every piece. Cover and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes for a quick marinade or refrigerate for 2–4 hours or overnight for deeper flavor.
- Skewer the Chicken: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto pre-soaked wooden or metal skewers, leaving small gaps between pieces for even cooking and smoke penetration.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your barbecue grill to medium-high temperature, ensuring it’s hot enough to sear the chicken quickly and lock in juices without drying out.
- Grill the Kebabs: Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes per side, turning frequently to achieve a beautiful char and smoky flavor. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and juices run clear.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove the kebabs from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes off the heat to allow juices to redistribute, resulting in tender, juicy bites.
Notes
- Use uniformly sized chicken pieces for even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the skewers; leave space between pieces for better heat circulation.
- Preheat the grill properly to sear the meat and lock in moisture.
- Even a short marinating time infuses plenty of flavor; overnight marinades deepen flavor beautifully.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure perfect doneness.
- Oil the grill grates and brush the chicken lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 kebab (approx. 150g)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: barbecue chicken kebab, grilled chicken, chicken skewers, quick BBQ recipe, healthy chicken kebabs, party appetizers, Middle Eastern chicken, smoky grilled chicken