Chicken kabobs are tasty, quick, and simple to prepare, and great to pair with most side dishes! This Mediterranean-style recipe comes together in 30 minutes, and the meat can be cooked in the oven or air fryer!
Although kabobs scream summertime, they are perfect year-round. Serve them with salad, in wraps, on top of rice or cous cous - they complete the meal!
This chicken kabob recipe is my go-to for three main reasons: very few ingredients for maximum flavor, it is a crowd-pleaser, has a cooking time of under 20 minutes.
Juicy chicken is marinated in grated garlic, oregano, and paprika, and then cooked on skewers with peppers, onions, and zucchini.
I like mine with some lemon juice and wrapped in homemade Lebanese mountain bread with a little tzatziki and a green salad, or with a side of seasoned potato wedges and tasty Mediterranean roasted vegetables.
How do you enjoy your Mediterranean chicken kabobs?
💎 Why This Recipe Works
- Garlic and oregano are spiced up with a little paprika, creating a wonderful recipe that perfectly balances these Mediterranean flavors.
- The cooking time in the air fryer is only 15 minutes and in the oven 20-25!
- Easy to meal prep! Marinate the chicken in advance, and cook it when needed.
🛒 Ingredients
- Chicken: You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs, as preferred. Chicken thighs remain juicier than breasts when cooked, but both work well in this recipe.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic elevates these chicken skewers to the next level! Grate them, so that their paste can be evenly spread in the marinade and over the chicken. Garlic powder won't offer the same result!
Be sure to check the recipe card for all the ingredients and steps you need—every detail counts!
♻️ Substitutions and Variations
- Spices: I prepare this recipe using either paprika, red pepper flakes, or red chili powder, and they all work well. Smoked paprika is quite strong and can be overpowering, so if using it, halve the amount.
- Fresh Vegetables: You can use any color of bell peppers and onions depending on availability and preference. For more variety, add cherry tomatoes and mushrooms too!
👩🏻🍳 How to Make (step-by-step)
- Grate the garlic. Mix it with paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, in the olive oil. [Picture 1]
- Marinate the chicken cubes in the fridge for the desired amount of time. [Picture 2]
In The Oven
- Thread the chicken and vegetables onto the skewers and place them on a baking tray. [Picture A]
- Bake the chicken skewers until thoroughly cooked,turning them halfway. Serve and enjoy! [Picture B]
In The Air Fryer
- Thread the chicken and vegetables onto the skewers and place them in the air fryer. [Picture C]
- Air fry the chicken kabobs until thoroughly cooked, turning them halfway. Enjoy your air frier chicken kabobs! [Picture D]
🙋♀️ People Also Ask [FAQs]
Should I use metal or wooden skewers?
Both work well. Metal skewers are reusable and conduct heat, helping the chicken cook evenly. The wooden skewers will need to be soaked in water for 30 minutes before use. The soaked water will prevent them from burning
Can I cook these kabobs on the grill instead of the oven or air fryer?
Yes! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken kabobs for about 10-15 minutes, turning them 2-3 times, until the chicken is cooked thoroughly. Serve the grilled chicken kabobs after resting them for 2-5 minutes, to allow the juices to redistribute.
How do I store and reheat leftover Mediterranean chicken kabobs?
For leftovers, store kabobs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, wrap the kabobs tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, or place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen kabobs in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or in an air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, until heated through.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Vegetable Preparation: Lightly salt the vegetables before threading them onto skewers. This draws out some moisture, preventing them from becoming too soft and ensuring they cook evenly with the chicken.
- Lemon Zest: Add lemon zest to the chicken kabob marinade for a bright, citrusy note! It complements the Mediterranean flavors without overpowering the dish.
🍴 More Delicious Recipes to Try
🍽️ Recipe
Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs 2-Ways (In The Air Fryer and Baked)
Ingredients
- 450 g Chicken Breast or Thighs
- 2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2-3 Garlic Cloves
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Yellow Pepper
- 1 Zucchini
- 1 Red Onion
Instructions
- Peel the garlic and grate it using a cheese grater.
- In a bowl, mix together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, grated garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch (2-3 cm) cubes.
- Add the chicken cubes to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated.
- Cover the bowl with a lid or some cling film and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes (or overnight for more flavor).
- If using wooden skewers: remember to allow time to soak them in water. Do so for at least 30 minutes. This way, they will soak in the water, preventing them from burning.
- Wash and cube the fresh veggies into 1-inch pieces.
- Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto the skewers, alternating them with the vegetables. Don't press the meat and vegetables together, to allow them to cook evenly.
Oven Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Choose a baking tray with lifted edges so that you can rest the skewers on the sides or use a grilling rack. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Place the skewers on it, ensuring they are not touching.
- Bake the chicken kabobs for 20-25 minutes, turning the skewers halfway through the cooking time, until the chicken is fully cooked and has a light char on the edges. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (75°C). You can use a meat thermometer if you have one.
- Allow the meat to rest for a couple of minutes, then serve with your chosen sides and sauces!
Air Fryer Cooking Instructions
- Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not crowded.
- Cook the chicken kabobs for 15 minutes, turning the skewers halfway through.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked through and has a slight char (internal temperature should be 165°F or 75°C).
- Let the kabobs rest for 5 minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute within the chicken, keeping it moist and flavorful when served.
Notes
- Grilling Instructions: Preheat to medium-high heat. Grill chicken kabobs for about 10-15 minutes, turning 2-3 times, until the chicken is cooked thoroughly.
- Storage and reheating: Store leftover kabobs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, wrap the kabobs tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, or place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen kabobs in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or in an air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, until heated through.
Tina says
Can you use sour cream in place of yogurt?
Elle says
Hi Tina,
Yes, absolutely - it will still help tenderize the meat.
Sour cream is made of cream that has been fermented, so it is richer, while full-fat yogurt is often tangier.
Please let me your thoughts once you prepare this!
Best, Elle
Clare D. says
Thanks for this, Elle! My husband and kids always order the tandoori platter when we go to eat out and I was looking for a recipe to do it at home because eating out in four is expensive these days. This recipe didn't disappoint at all, it actually was better than the restaurant as I could control the spices how we prefer (a bit milder for my daughter). 5 stars no doubt!
Elle says
Hi Clare,
I am so happy to hear you and your family enjoyed this recipe - it is one I love too!