Grilled Herb-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Summer Vegetable Relish
Juicy grilled chicken skewers marinated in fresh herbs and lemon, served with a tangy summer vegetable relish that adds crunch and brightness. This mediterranean-inspired grilling ready in about 32 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, olive oil, fresh 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 6 wooden skewers
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Cut 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs into 1.5-inch pieces and add to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 4 hours.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, dice 1 medium red bell pepper and 1 medium cucumber into small cubes, and finely chop 1/4 cup red onion. In a bowl, combine these with 1 tbsp white wine vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley; stir well and refrigerate to let flavors meld.
- Step 4: Soak 6 wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers evenly.
- Step 5: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill the chicken skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through and has grill marks.
- Step 6: Serve the grilled chicken skewers hot with a generous spoonful of the chilled summer vegetable relish on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Herb-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Summer Vegetable Relish take to make?
Total time is about 32 minutes (20 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 Summer Vegetable Relish?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Herb-Marinated Chicken Skewers with Summer Vegetable Relish?
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 Summer Vegetable Relish 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 Summer Vegetable Relish?
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.
Equipment for this recipe
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