Spicy Chicken Shish Kebabs with Charred Bell Pepper Sauce

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

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Juicy chicken chunks marinated in a spicy blend, grilled and served with a smoky charred bell pepper sauce. This Middle Eastern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes, paprika, cayenne pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 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: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Middle Eastern cuisine 310 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to form the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb chicken breast cubes to the marinade and toss well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  3. Step 3: While marinating, preheat oven broiler to high. Place 2 large red bell peppers on a baking sheet and broil for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes until skin is blackened and blistered.
  4. Step 4: Transfer charred peppers to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap for 10 minutes to steam, then peel off skins and remove seeds.
  5. Step 5: Blend peeled peppers with 1 tsp smoked paprika and 1 tbsp red wine vinegar until smooth to make the sauce.
  6. Step 6: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (400°F). Thread marinated chicken onto skewers.
  7. Step 7: Grill chicken skewers for 8-10 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes until cooked through and slightly charred.
  8. Step 8: Serve chicken kebabs drizzled with the smoky charred bell pepper sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Chicken Shish Kebabs with Charred Bell Pepper Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 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 Spicy Chicken Shish Kebabs with Charred Bell Pepper Sauce?

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 paprika from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Chicken Shish Kebabs with Charred Bell Pepper Sauce?

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 Spicy Chicken Shish Kebabs with Charred Bell Pepper Sauce 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 Spicy Chicken Shish Kebabs with Charred Bell Pepper Sauce?

Middle Eastern 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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