Lemon-Garlic Yogurt Chicken Skewers with Mint and Cucumber Raita

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken marinated in a tangy lemon-garlic yogurt blend and grilled to perfection, served with a cooling cucumber and mint raita. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 27 minutes pairs plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic cloves 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
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create a marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb boneless chicken thigh cubes to the marinade, stirring to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
  3. Step 3: While chicken marinates, prepare raita by mixing 1/2 cup plain yogurt with 1/2 medium finely diced cucumber, 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves, and 1 tsp lemon zest in a small bowl; refrigerate until serving.
  4. Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto skewers, brushing with 2 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.
  5. Step 5: Grill chicken skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until edges are slightly charred and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  6. Step 6: Serve the hot chicken skewers alongside the chilled cucumber-mint raita for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemon-Garlic Yogurt Chicken Skewers with Mint and Cucumber Raita 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 Lemon-Garlic Yogurt Chicken Skewers with Mint and Cucumber Raita?

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 plain greek yogurt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Garlic Yogurt Chicken Skewers with Mint and Cucumber Raita?

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 Lemon-Garlic Yogurt Chicken Skewers with Mint and Cucumber Raita 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 Lemon-Garlic Yogurt Chicken Skewers with Mint and Cucumber Raita?

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.

Related recipes