These Greek Chicken Skewers are bursting with Mediterranean flavor thanks to a zesty, herb-packed marinade and a medley of colorful vegetables. Perfect for the grill or oven, they’re ideal for a summer cookout or a healthy weeknight dinner—especially when served with cool tzatziki, lemon rice, and warm pita bread.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Full of bright, tangy flavor: The marinade is loaded with lemon, balsamic, and classic Greek herbs and spices.
- Versatile cooking methods: Grill or bake them—both deliver juicy, perfectly cooked chicken.
- Balanced meal: Protein, veggies, and creamy tzatziki create a satisfying, healthy dish.
- Easy to prep ahead: Marinate the chicken in advance for a quick cook when you’re ready.

Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Chicken & Veggies:
- 2 lbs chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/4” cubes
- 2 red bell peppers, cut into 1 1/2” chunks
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes (firm but ripe)
- 2 zucchinis, sliced into 1/2” rounds
- 1 large red onion, cut into 1 1/2” chunks
Marinade:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons each: paprika, garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon each: onion powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, sugar, salt
- 1/4 teaspoon each: cayenne pepper, black pepper
For Serving:
- 1 recipe tzatziki (or store-bought)
Directions
- Marinate:
Whisk all marinade ingredients together. Reserve 2 tablespoons in a separate bowl or bag for the veggies. Add chopped vegetables, toss to coat, and refrigerate. Add chicken to the remaining marinade, toss, and marinate in the fridge for 4–8 hours. - Prepare Skewers:
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water while chicken marinates. Thread marinated chicken and veggies snugly onto skewers, alternating pieces for even cooking. - Prepare Tzatziki:
Make homemade tzatziki according to your recipe, or use store-bought. Chill until ready to serve. - Grill Method:
Heat a greased grill to medium-high. Grill skewers for 8–12 minutes, turning once, until chicken is cooked through and reaches 160°F. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. - Oven Method:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking pan with foil and arrange skewers so chicken doesn’t touch the pan (or use a lightly greased baking sheet). Bake 16–22 minutes, flipping halfway, until chicken is done. For extra caramelization, broil for a couple minutes per side at the end, watching closely. - Serve:
Serve skewers with chilled tzatziki. Pair with Greek Lemon Rice and warm pita bread, if desired.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 6–8 skewers (serves 4–6 people)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Marinating time: 4–8 hours (hands-off)
- Cook time: 12–22 minutes (depending on method)
- Total time: 4.5–8.5 hours (mostly hands-off)
Variations
- Add more veggies: Try mushrooms, eggplant, or yellow squash.
- Spicy version: Increase cayenne or add crushed red pepper to the marinade.
- Fresh herbs: Stir fresh parsley or mint into the marinade for extra aroma.
- Protein swap: Use chicken thighs or lamb for a juicier option.
- Vegan: Substitute tofu or halloumi cheese for the chicken and use a vegan yogurt for the tzatziki.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover skewers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep tzatziki separate.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a 350°F oven or microwave, just until heated through.
- Freezing: Freeze uncooked, marinated chicken (without veggies) up to 2 months. Thaw before assembling and cooking.

FAQs
1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes! Thighs are juicier and very flavorful—just cut into similar-sized chunks for even cooking.
2. Can I prepare skewers in advance?
Absolutely—assemble skewers and keep covered in the fridge up to 12 hours before cooking.
3. Is there a shortcut for the marinade?
Bottled Greek vinaigrette can work in a pinch, but homemade gives the best flavor.
4. What if I don’t have a grill?
Use the oven method, finishing under the broiler for some char.
5. How do I keep wooden skewers from burning?
Soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading and grilling.
6. Can I make these dairy-free?
Yes, simply use a dairy-free yogurt for the tzatziki or skip it.
7. Can I grill these indoors?
Yes, use a grill pan or broil in the oven for similar results.
8. What sides go best?
Greek Lemon Rice, orzo salad, pita bread, and a crisp cucumber salad are all great choices.
9. Can I freeze leftovers?
Freeze only the cooked chicken (not veggies) for best texture; thaw and reheat gently.
10. How do I keep chicken juicy?
Don’t overcook—remove from heat right when the internal temp hits 160°F, and let rest.
Conclusion
Greek Chicken Skewers deliver classic Mediterranean flavor in every juicy, charred bite. With a vibrant marinade and plenty of fresh veggies, they’re healthy, satisfying, and sure to be a hit at your table—especially when paired with cool tzatziki, fluffy rice, and soft pita bread. Enjoy this versatile recipe all summer (or year) long!
Print
Greek Chicken Skewers
- Total Time: 4.5–8.5 hours (including marinating)
- Yield: 6–8 skewers (4–6 servings)
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Juicy chicken and colorful vegetables marinated in bright lemon-balsamic herbs, threaded onto skewers, and grilled or baked to perfection—served with cool tzatziki for a classic Mediterranean feast.
Ingredients
2 lbs chicken breasts, cut into 1¼” cubes
2 red bell peppers, cut into 1½” chunks
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
2 zucchinis, sliced into ½” rounds
1 large red onion, cut into 1½” chunks
¼ cup olive oil
3 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp dried oregano
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
¼ tsp black pepper
1 recipe tzatziki (for serving)
Instructions
- Whisk marinade ingredients in a bowl. Reserve 2 tbsp for veggies.
- Toss bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, and onion in reserved marinade; refrigerate.
- Add chicken to remaining marinade; refrigerate 4–8 hours.
- If using wooden skewers, soak 30 minutes. Thread chicken and veggies, alternating pieces.
- Grill: preheat grill to medium-high; cook skewers 8–12 minutes, turning once, until chicken reaches 160 °F. Rest 5 minutes.
- Oven: preheat to 400 °F; arrange skewers on foil-lined pan; bake 16–22 minutes, flipping halfway. Broil 1–2 minutes for char if desired.
- Serve skewers hot with chilled tzatziki, pita, and lemon rice if desired.
Notes
- Marinate chicken up to 8 hours ahead for maximum flavor.
- Use wooden skewers soaked in water to prevent burning.
- Assemble skewers up to 12 hours ahead and keep covered in fridge.
- Freeze uncooked marinated chicken (no veggies) up to 2 months; thaw before skewering.
- Reheat leftovers in a 350 °F oven until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–22 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grill or Oven
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg