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If you’re tired of complicated dinner routines but still crave a burst of vibrant flavor, then Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers are about to become your absolute best friend. I’m Anna, and I live for recipes that prove cooking doesn’t have to be a chore. My goal is always to bring you simple, flavorful chicken recipes that make your everyday cooking easier and genuinely joyful.
I’ve spent years perfecting meals that come together in under 45 minutes without sacrificing taste. These skewers are the result of that quest—bright, juicy, and packed with garden herbs that taste like sunshine. Trust me, once you try this marinade, you’ll be adding it to everything!
Table Of content
Why You’ll Love These Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers
These skewers aren’t just delicious; they solve real weeknight problems. They are simple enough for a Tuesday but taste special enough for company. You need these in your rotation, pronto!
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Quick Prep and Cook Time
Honestly, the whole thing takes less than 40 minutes total, including a quick marinade. Dinner is on the table before you know it!
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Bright, Juicy Flavor Profile
The lemon zest and fresh herbs wake up the chicken completely. It’s incredibly juicy, thanks to that olive oil base, keeping things light and bright.
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Simple Ingredients for Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers
There is nothing fussy here. Everything in this recipe for Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers can be found in a regular grocery store. No specialty shopping required!
Gathering Ingredients for Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers
Alright, let’s get organized! The beauty of these Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers is that the ingredient list is short and accessible. Before you even think about mixing anything, make sure you have everything measured out. I always tell people that prepping your ingredients first—what the fancy chefs call *mise en place*—is half the battle won.
For the chicken itself, we are aiming for perfect, even cooking, so clarity on the size of the cubes is important. Also, when it comes to the lemon zest, make sure you are only getting the bright yellow part, not the bitter white pith underneath!
Chicken and Marinade Components
For four servings, you’ll need about a pound and a half of chicken breast. Make sure you cut those boneless, skinless breasts into uniform 1 1/2 inch cubes. For the marinade base, grab:
- 1/4 cup of good quality olive oil
- 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice (that’s usually two or three lemons, depending on size!)
- 1 teaspoon of lemon zest
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced super fine
- 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
Herb Selection for Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers
Fresh herbs really make these Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers sing, but I know life gets busy. If you have fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano, chop up one teaspoon of each. If you are using dried herbs, you’ll need less—use about 1/3 of that amount for each herb, so 1/3 teaspoon of dried rosemary, 1/3 teaspoon dried thyme, and 1/3 teaspoon dried oregano.
Essential Equipment Preparation
This is a non-negotiable safety step when grilling with wood! You absolutely must soak your wooden skewers. Pop them into a dish or a tall glass filled with water for at least 30 minutes before you start threading the chicken. If you skip this, trust me, they will catch fire on the grill before the chicken is even close to done.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers
Now for the fun part! Turning those beautiful ingredients into perfectly cooked, tender chicken skewers. Don’t rush this, but don’t dawdle either. We want maximum flavor absorption and quick cooking time for your Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers.
Creating the Herb Marinade
Grab that large mixing bowl you used for prepping your ingredients. It’s time to build that flavor base! You need to whisk together the olive oil, the fresh lemon juice, and that bright lemon zest. Keep whisking until it starts to look slightly emulsified—a little thicker than just oil and juice alone. Next, toss in your minced garlic, the fresh rosemary, thyme, and dried oregano. Finish it off with your salt and pepper. Whisk it all together one last time until those fragrant herbs are evenly distributed throughout the liquid.
Marinating the Chicken for Flavor
Go ahead and add those 1 1/2 inch chicken cubes right into that beautiful bowl of marinade. Now, use your hands or a sturdy spoon to toss everything really well. You want every single piece coated, like they are getting a good, deep soak. Cover the bowl tightly—I usually use plastic wrap right against the surface to keep the air out—and pop it into the fridge. You need at least 30 minutes for them to get happy in there, but honestly, if you can let them go for 4 to 6 hours, the flavor is ten times better. Don’t push it past 12 hours, though; the acid in the lemon will start to change the texture of the chicken too much.
Threading the Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers
Once the chicken has marinated, it’s skewer time! Pull out those water-soaked wooden skewers. Try to thread the chicken pieces evenly, leaving a little bit of space between each cube. If you pack them too tightly together, the heat can’t circulate properly, and you end up steaming the chicken instead of grilling it. Don’t worry about having a perfect pattern; just make sure they aren’t jammed up against each other.
Grilling Your Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers
Get your grill or grill pan hot! We are aiming for medium-high heat. You want those nice sizzle marks, not a slow cook. Once the grill is hot, lay your Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers down carefully. Grill them for about 10 to 12 minutes total, but this is key: turn them every 2 to 3 minutes. That constant turning is what gives you that gorgeous, light charring on all sides.
Internal Temperature Check for Safety
Never guess with chicken! About halfway through the cooking time, pull one skewer out and check the thickest piece of chicken with your instant-read thermometer. It absolutely must register 165°F (74°C) all the way through. That’s the only way to know they are safe and perfectly done. Once they hit that temp, pull them off the heat immediately!
Tips for Perfect Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers
Even with a simple recipe like these Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers, little tricks make the difference between good and truly great chicken. I’ve learned these little secrets over years of grilling, mostly through trial and error—and sometimes through slightly burnt dinners! Follow these tips, and you’ll get juicy, tender results every single time.
Achieving Even Cooking
Remember how I stressed cutting the chicken into 1 1/2 inch cubes? That’s not just me being picky! If you have giant chunks next to tiny slivers, the small pieces will dry out before the big ones are even cooked through. Uniformity is everything here. It ensures that when the thickest piece hits 165°F, every piece is perfectly cooked and tender. Take an extra minute to trim uneven pieces before they hit the marinade.
Maximizing Herb Flavor Release
If you are lucky enough to be using fresh rosemary or thyme, don’t just chop them! For an extra punch of flavor that really infuses the oil, try this little trick: place the sprigs on your cutting board and gently press down on them with the flat side of your knife, rubbing slightly. This action bruises the leaves just enough to release all those aromatic oils before you finely chop them into the marinade. It makes a noticeable difference!
Serving Suggestions for Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers
These bright, zesty chicken skewers are so versatile! Since they cook so fast, you want sides that are equally quick or can be made ahead of time. I love keeping the meal light and fresh to match the skewers’ profile.
Try serving them over a bed of fluffy couscous tossed with chopped parsley and a little extra lemon juice. They are fantastic alongside a simple cucumber and tomato salad dressed with red wine vinegar. Or, if you’re feeling lazy, just grab a bag of pre-washed mixed greens and drizzle it with a little olive oil. Dinner perfection!
Storing and Reheating Your Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers
Nobody wants to waste these flavorful leftovers! Luckily, these Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers keep really well, though you should definitely remove the chicken from the wooden skewers before storing. The wood can get brittle or start to absorb moisture in the fridge, which isn’t ideal.
The main thing to remember is that the chicken will firm up a bit once it cools, but the lemon and herbs keep it from drying out completely. Aim to eat them within three days for the best texture. When you reheat them, gentle heat is your friend!
Here’s the best way I’ve found to store them safely and effectively:
| Component | Storage Method | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken (off skewers) | Airtight container in the refrigerator | Up to 3 days |
| Whole Skewers (Uncooked) | Airtight container in the refrigerator | Up to 24 hours |
| Cooked Skewers | Airtight container in the refrigerator | Up to 3 days |
To reheat, I highly recommend tossing the cooked chicken pieces into a skillet over medium-low heat with just a tiny splash of water or chicken broth—this steams them gently back to tenderness without burning the herbs. Avoid the microwave if you can; it tends to make chicken chewy!
Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers
I get so many questions about making these Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers work for different schedules or kitchen setups. It’s a flexible recipe, honestly! Here are the things I hear most often from folks trying this out for the first time.
Can I Bake These Chicken Skewers Instead of Grilling
Absolutely! If the weather is bad or you don’t have a grill pan, the oven works just fine. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the threaded skewers on a baking sheet lined with foil—using foil makes cleanup a breeze! Bake them for about 15 to 18 minutes, turning them halfway through. You still need to check that internal temperature to make sure they hit that safe 165°F mark.
What If I Do Not Have Fresh Herbs for This Recipe
Don’t panic if your fresh herbs decided to wilt before you could use them! Dried herbs are perfectly fine, but you need to adjust the amount because they are much more concentrated. For the rosemary, thyme, and oregano in the marinade, use 1/3 teaspoon of the dried version for every 1 teaspoon of fresh called for. Just toss the dried herbs right into the wet ingredients and let them go!
How long can the chicken marinate safely
This is important for food safety! Because we are using fresh lemon juice, which is acidic, it starts to break down the chicken fibers pretty quickly. While 30 minutes is the minimum for flavor, and 4 to 6 hours is ideal, you shouldn’t let the chicken sit in that marinade for more than 12 hours total. Any longer than that, and the texture can get mushy, which isn’t what we want for our Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers.
Share Your Experience Making Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers
I truly hope these Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers bring a little bit of brightness to your dinner table this week! Cooking should be fun, and I’d love to hear how they turned out for you. Did you use fresh rosemary or dried? Let me know your results in the comments below, and please leave a quick rating if you loved this simple, flavorful meal! Follow me on Pinterest for more great ideas!
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Flavorful 40-Minute Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Easy Herby Lemon Chicken Skewers offer bright, juicy flavor. Marinated with garlic and herbs, these simple skewers grill or bake quickly, perfect for weeknight meals.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes
- wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes
Instructions
- Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, rosemary, thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.
- Add the chicken cubes to the marinade. Toss them until the chicken pieces coat completely.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, up to 12 hours.
- Thread the marinated chicken pieces evenly onto the soaked skewers.
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium high heat.
- Grill the skewers for 10 to 12 minutes. Turn the skewers every 2 to 3 minutes until they show light charring and cook fully.
- Confirm the thickest chicken piece reaches an internal temperature of 165°F using a thermometer.
- Remove the skewers from the heat. Let them rest for 5 minutes before you serve them.
Notes
- Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces so the skewers cook at the same rate.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: N/A
