Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Garlic Yogurt Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken skewers marinated in a bright citrus blend and grilled to juicy perfection, served alongside a cooling, garlicky yogurt sauce. This mediterranean-inspired grilling ready in about 80 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, orange juice, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

Prep: 70 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs into 1.5-inch pieces and place in a bowl. Add 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss well to coat and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare the yogurt sauce by mixing 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt with 1 clove minced garlic, 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, and 1 tsp lemon zest. Stir until smooth and refrigerate until serving.
  3. Step 3: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto 6 soaked wooden skewers, leaving a small gap between pieces.
  4. Step 4: Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and has nice grill marks.
  5. Step 5: Remove the skewers from heat and let rest for 3 minutes. Serve hot with the garlic yogurt sauce for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Garlic Yogurt Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (70 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Garlic Yogurt Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep orange juice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Garlic Yogurt Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Garlic Yogurt Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Garlic Yogurt Sauce?

Mediterranean grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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