Grilled Lemon-Thyme Mediterranean Chicken Skewers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken marinated in lemon juice, garlic, and fresh thyme, grilled to perfection and served with a tangy yogurt dipping sauce. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 27 minutes pairs fresh lemon juice, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1.5 lbs chicken thigh pieces and toss to coat. Cover and marinate in the fridge for 1 hour.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup finely diced cucumber, 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, and 1 tsp lemon zest. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Thread marinated chicken pieces onto soaked wooden skewers, leaving space between pieces.
  4. Step 4: Grill chicken skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and edges are slightly charred.
  5. Step 5: Remove skewers from grill and let rest 5 minutes. Serve warm with the chilled yogurt cucumber sauce for dipping.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Lemon-Thyme Mediterranean Chicken Skewers take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 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 Lemon-Thyme Mediterranean Chicken Skewers?

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 lemon juice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Lemon-Thyme Mediterranean Chicken Skewers?

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 Lemon-Thyme Mediterranean Chicken Skewers 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 Lemon-Thyme Mediterranean Chicken Skewers?

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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