Grilled Herb-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Fresh Garden Salad
Juicy grilled chicken skewers marinated in a blend of fresh herbs and garlic, served alongside a crisp garden salad with a tangy lemon vinaigrette. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 52 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, fresh parsley, chopped, fresh thyme leaves 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. 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 breasts
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice for vinaigrette
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil for vinaigrette
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt for vinaigrette
- 1/8 tsp black pepper for vinaigrette
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, 3 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss well and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers and grill for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks.
- Step 3: While the chicken grills, prepare the salad by combining 4 cups mixed salad greens, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup sliced cucumber, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion in a large bowl.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 5: Toss the salad with the lemon vinaigrette just before serving and plate with the grilled chicken skewers.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Herb-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Fresh Garden Salad take to make?
Total time is about 52 minutes (40 min prep + 12 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 Herb-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Fresh Garden Salad?
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 fresh parsley, chopped from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Herb-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Fresh Garden Salad?
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 Herb-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Fresh Garden Salad 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 Herb-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Fresh Garden Salad?
Mediterranean chicken 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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