Embark on a culinary journey to the Mediterranean right from your backyard with these exquisite Feta Chicken Kabobs! For years, this recipe has captured the hearts and taste buds of families, becoming a cherished staple for gatherings and weeknight dinners alike. The secret to their irresistible appeal lies in a deeply flavorful marinade crafted from creamy yogurt, aromatic rosemary, pungent garlic, and tangy feta cheese. This magical blend doesn’t just infuse the chicken with authentic Greek-inspired flavors; it also works wonders in tenderizing the meat, ensuring every bite is succulent and utterly delicious.
These Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Vegetables are a complete culinary package, offering a vibrant and wholesome meal on a single skewer. Bursting with fresh flavors and textures, they’re the perfect centerpiece for any summer feast. Simply complement them with a side of warm, crusty bread or a crisp green salad, and your table is set for an unforgettable dining experience. This recipe’s enduring popularity in countless homes speaks volumes about its simple preparation and sensational taste, cementing its status as a decade-long family tradition.
Why These Feta Chicken Kabobs Are a Must-Try
There’s nothing quite like the tantalizing sizzle and the rich, garlicky aroma that fills the air when these exceptional chicken kabobs hit the hot grill. Infused with the spirit of the Aegean, these Greek-inspired Chicken Kabobs are more than just a meal; they’re an experience that consistently wins rave reviews. Here’s why they deserve a prime spot in your cooking repertoire:
- An Explosion of Flavor and Texture: Each mouthful delivers a harmonious blend of tender chicken, subtly sweet vegetables, and the savory tang of feta, all brought together by a bold marinade. The satisfying texture and vibrant flavors awaken all your senses, making every bite a delight.
- Unmatched Tenderness from a Yogurt Marinade: The secret weapon in this recipe is the incredible yogurt-based marinade. It masterfully tenderizes the chicken, transforming ordinary chicken breasts into incredibly juicy and moist morsels. This method ensures your grilled chicken is never dry, but consistently succulent and full of flavor.
- Elevate Your Grilling Game: Forget bland and boring. These aren’t your average shish kabobs. This recipe offers a fantastic way to introduce exciting, exotic flavors to your summer grilling menu, impressing guests and delighting your family with its unique Mediterranean flair.
- A Culinary Escape to Greece: While a trip to the sun-drenched shores of Greece might not be on the immediate horizon, you can effortlessly bring the essence of Greek cuisine into your own kitchen. Recipes have an extraordinary power to transport us, allowing us to savor flavors from across the globe. With these Mediterranean chicken kabobs, you’re not just cooking; you’re embarking on a delicious journey.
Mastering Your Feta Chicken Kabobs: Expert Grilling Tips
Creating truly outstanding chicken kabobs hinges on a few key techniques, particularly when it comes to marinating and grilling. The marinade in this recipe serves a dual purpose: it infuses the chicken with incredible flavor and tenderizes it beautifully. Here are some expert tips to ensure your Feta Chicken Kabobs are always perfect:
- The Magic of Yogurt Marinade: Yogurt is an exceptional tenderizer for chicken. Whether it’s the lactic acid, enzymes, or calcium content, its ability to break down tough proteins results in remarkably tender meat. For optimal results, ensure your chicken soaks in this rich, yogurt-based marinade for at least two hours, and ideally overnight (up to 8 hours), to allow it to fully work its magic. This prolonged contact is crucial for maximum tenderness and flavor penetration.
- Flavorful Crust is Key: While the marinade won’t necessarily penetrate to the very core of every piece of chicken, its surface contact is paramount. A robustly flavored marinade is imperative for chicken kabobs as it creates an amazing, golden-brown crust on the exterior of the chicken as it grills, sealing in juices and delivering concentrated flavor with every bite.
- Precision Cooking for Juicy Chicken: Overcooking is the enemy of tender chicken. While the yogurt marinade provides a buffer against dryness, you’ll still want to grill just until the chicken loses its internal pink hue, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Using a meat thermometer is the most reliable way to ensure perfect doneness without drying out the chicken. Aim for that sweet spot where it’s cooked through but still incredibly juicy.
- Prepare Your Skewers: If you opt for wooden skewers, always soak them in water for at least 30 minutes prior to grilling. This crucial step prevents them from charring or incinerating on the hot grill, ensuring your kabobs stay intact and are easy to handle. Alternatively, metal skewers are an excellent reusable option and require no pre-soaking. For an extra touch of flavor and aroma, consider using fresh rosemary sprigs as skewers (after stripping most leaves), which impart a subtle herbal note to the chicken.
- Uniformity for Even Cooking: When cubing your chicken breasts and cutting vegetables, strive for pieces of roughly the same size. This ensures that all components cook evenly on the grill, preventing some pieces from being undercooked while others are overdone.
- Preheat Your Grill: Always preheat your grill to medium-high heat before placing the kabobs on it. A hot grill sears the outside quickly, creating that desirable flavorful crust and preventing the chicken from sticking.
- Don’t Crowd the Grill: Arrange your kabobs on the grill with sufficient space between them. Overcrowding can lower the grill’s temperature and lead to steaming rather than grilling, resulting in less desirable texture and color.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Kabobs
The terms “kabob” and “kebab” are essentially interchangeable, both referring to meat (and sometimes vegetables) cooked on a skewer, typically over an open flame or grill. The word originates from the Middle East, where countless regional variations exist, each with unique meats, marinades, and spices. The primary distinction often comes down to regional spelling preferences. In North America, “kabobs” is the more common spelling, while “kebabs” is widely used in the United Kingdom, Europe, and parts of the Middle East. Regardless of the spelling, the delicious essence of skewered, grilled perfection remains the same!
An exceptional marinade balances tenderizing agents with robust flavor enhancers. For these Feta Chicken Kabobs, we’ve carefully selected components to ensure both succulent texture and incredible taste:
- Greek Yogurt: This is a cornerstone for tenderizing chicken. Like vinegar or citrus juice, the acidity in Greek yogurt helps to break down muscle fibers. However, it does so more gently than harsher acids, preventing the chicken from becoming mushy. The calcium in yogurt is also thought to activate enzymes in the chicken, further contributing to its tenderness. For best results, marinate for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours to achieve perfect tenderness without altering the meat’s texture too much.
- Flavor Enhancers: A medley of ingredients work in harmony to infuse the chicken with depth and character. Feta cheese adds a salty, tangy, and rich complexity. Minced garlic provides a foundational aromatic punch. Fresh rosemary contributes an earthy, piney fragrance that complements poultry beautifully. Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang and helps emulsify the marinade, ensuring even coating. Finally, thinly sliced scallions offer a mild, fresh onion flavor. These aromatics are crucial for building layers of taste.
- Salt and Pepper: These fundamental seasonings are non-negotiable. Kosher salt acts as a primary flavor enhancer, drawing out the natural flavors of the chicken and integrating them with the marinade. It also aids in tenderization by breaking down proteins. Freshly ground black pepper adds a sharp, piquant note that balances the richness of the other ingredients. Always season to your palate’s preference, but remember salt is vital for a truly flavorful dish.
A general guideline for serving chicken is about 4-6 ounces (113-170 grams) of boneless, skinless chicken breast per person, which is roughly the size of a deck of cards or the palm of your hand. For kabobs, if your chicken breasts are of average size (around 6-8 ounces each), one chicken breast cut into 6-8 cubes usually suffices for one person. If you’re using larger chicken breasts, or if your guests have heartier appetites, you might consider slightly increasing the amount or adding more vegetables to the skewers to create a more substantial meal. Remember to account for any side dishes you’ll be serving as well.
The grilling time for chicken kabobs can vary based on several factors, including the size and thickness of your chicken pieces, the starting temperature of the chicken, and the exact heat of your grill. Typically, chicken kabobs grilled over medium-high heat will take approximately 10-15 minutes to cook through. You’ll want to turn them every few minutes to ensure even cooking and beautiful grill marks on all sides. The most important indicator of doneness is an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as measured by a reliable meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken. The chicken should also appear opaque white throughout when cut.
These Greek-inspired chicken kabobs are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with a variety of vibrant vegetables. Classic choices include chunks of red onion, colorful bell peppers (red, yellow, orange), zucchini slices, and cherry tomatoes. Mushrooms, eggplant, and even pineapple chunks can also add a delightful twist. The key is to cut the vegetables into pieces that are similar in size to your chicken cubes to ensure even cooking on the grill.
Absolutely! While grilling imparts a wonderful smoky flavor, these Feta Chicken Kabobs can also be baked in the oven for equally delicious results. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the skewered kabobs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil (for easy cleanup). Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). For a slightly charred finish, you can briefly broil them for the last few minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
Yes, these kabobs are excellent for meal prep! The chicken can be marinated in the yogurt mixture for up to 8 hours in the refrigerator, allowing you to get a head start. You can also assemble the kabobs with the chicken and vegetables a few hours before grilling. Store the assembled skewers tightly covered in the refrigerator. Just before cooking, let them sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes while you preheat your grill, which helps them cook more evenly.
Serving Suggestions for Your Feta Chicken Kabobs
These versatile kabobs are nearly a complete meal on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a variety of sides to round out your Mediterranean feast. Consider serving them alongside fluffy couscous, a refreshing quinoa salad, or classic Greek lemon rice. A simple side of tzatziki sauce for dipping adds a cool, creamy counterpoint, while a fresh Greek salad with crisp cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and more feta ties all the flavors together perfectly. Don’t forget some warm pita bread to soak up all the delicious juices!
You May Also Like These Delicious Skewer Recipes:
- Grilled Margarita Shrimp Kebabs from A Farm Girl’s Dabbles
- Marinated Greek Lamb Kebabs
- Fruit Kebabs with White Chocolate Dip
- Beef Teriyaki Kabobs
- Honey Glazed Chicken Kabobs
- Antipasto Skewers
- Melon and Prosciutto Skewers
- More Easy Chicken Recipes
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Feta Chicken Kabobs
10 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
6 servings
A terrific feta, garlic, and rosemary marinade that’s fabulous on chicken, delivering tender and flavorful grilled kabobs!
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3-4 thinly sliced scallions
- ½-1 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, each cut into 6-8 cubes
- Zucchini, red bell pepper, red onion chunks, optional (for skewering)
- Rosemary sprigs with most of the leaves removed (to use as skewers, optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, thoroughly mix together the Greek yogurt, crumbled feta cheese, minced garlic, chopped fresh rosemary, Dijon mustard, sliced scallions, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Add the cubed chicken to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Cover the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour, and ideally up to 8 hours, for maximum flavor and tenderness.
- Once marinated, thread the chicken cubes onto metal, pre-soaked wooden, or rosemary skewers. If desired, alternate the chicken with chunks of zucchini, red bell pepper, and red onion for added flavor and visual appeal.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the skewered kabobs on the hot grill. Cook for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Total time listed does not include the essential marinating period. For the juiciest chicken, ensure it’s marinated for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours.
Chicken is safely cooked when its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Visually, it will appear opaque white when sliced into, with no pink remaining.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 330Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 143mgSodium: 681mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 56g
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