Grilled Za'atar Chicken Skewers with Garlic Lemon Marinade

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-15 · Updated 2026-05-15

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Tender chicken skewers marinated in a zesty garlic lemon and za'atar blend, grilled to smoky perfection and served with fresh herbs. This Middle Eastern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, olive oil, 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. 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 Middle Eastern cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs, cut into 1.5-inch cubes boneless skinless chicken thighs
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tbsp lemon juice
4, minced garlic cloves
2 tbsp za'atar seasoning
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp chopped, for garnish fresh parsley
8, soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp za'atar seasoning, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until well combined.
Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs cubed boneless skinless chicken thighs to the marinade, tossing to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 4 hours for deeper flavor.
Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated chicken cubes evenly onto the 8 soaked wooden skewers.
Step 4: Grill the chicken skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until chicken is cooked through and has a slight char with an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 5: Remove skewers from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes.
Step 6: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving with warm pita or a side salad.