Light Lemon Herb Chicken Skewers (Printable Version)

Juicy chicken skewers marinated in lemon and herbs, grilled and paired with creamy tzatziki.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken Skewers

01 - 1.3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
07 - 1 teaspoon salt
08 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 8 wooden or metal skewers

→ Tzatziki Sauce

11 - 1 cup Greek yogurt, 2% or nonfat
12 - 0.5 cucumber, grated and excess liquid squeezed out
13 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
14 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
15 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
16 - Juice of 0.5 lemon
17 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
18 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

→ For Serving

19 - Lemon wedges
20 - Fresh parsley or dill, chopped

# Steps:

01 - In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, lemon zest and juice, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Add chicken cubes and toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
02 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for optimal flavor development.
03 - While chicken marinates, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil, dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
04 - If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water for 20 minutes to prevent charring during grilling.
05 - Evenly distribute marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, ensuring uniform spacing.
06 - Heat grill or grill pan over medium-high temperature. Lightly oil the cooking grates to prevent sticking.
07 - Grill skewers for 5 to 7 minutes per side, turning once halfway through cooking, until chicken reaches internal doneness and develops light char marks.
08 - Remove skewers from grill and allow to rest for 2 minutes. Serve immediately with chilled tzatziki, lemon wedges, and fresh herb garnish.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Quick and easy to prepare, yet impressive enough for entertaining
  • Perfectly balanced flavors with zesty lemon, aromatic herbs, and cooling tzatziki
  • High in protein and low in carbs, making it an ideal healthy dinner option
  • Versatile dish that works as both a main course or party appetizer
  • Marinate ahead of time for a stress-free meal prep solution
02 -
  • For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken for the full 2 hours
  • Make the tzatziki sauce a day ahead to allow flavors to develop fully
  • If using wooden skewers, don't skip the soaking step to prevent burning
  • For even cooking, try to cut all chicken pieces to the same size
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling for more even cooking
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