Grilled Citrus-Spiced Chicken Skewers
Juicy chicken skewers marinated in a zesty citrus and spice blend, grilled to smoky perfection for a bright and savory outdoor meal. This Mediterranean-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 27 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 280 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 6 wooden skewers, soaked
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until fully combined and fragrant.
- Step 2: Cut 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs into 1 1/2-inch pieces and toss them into the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor absorption.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated chicken pieces evenly onto 6 soaked wooden skewers.
- Step 4: Grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and develops a smoky char with crisp edges.
- Step 5: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.









