Tasty Chicken Skewers in the Oven

Here’s my go-to recipe for chicken skewers that you can make right in your oven, with tender pieces of marinated chicken, a blend of everyday seasonings, and a touch of lemon to bring everything together.

These oven-baked skewers have become my family’s favorite weeknight dinner option. I often make a double batch because my kids always ask for seconds, and they’re just as good for lunch the next day. Perfect for those times when you’re craving grilled food but don’t want to head outside!

What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?

For these oven-baked skewers, chicken thighs are definitely the way to go. While you could use chicken breast, thighs have more fat content which helps keep the meat juicy and tender during cooking, especially in the dry heat of the oven. Dark meat is also more forgiving if you accidentally cook it a bit too long. When shopping, look for boneless, skinless thighs that have a pink color with minimal white fat streaks. Try to cut your chicken into evenly-sized chunks (about 1.5 inches) so they cook at the same rate – if some pieces are bigger than others, you’ll end up with some dry pieces while others might not be fully cooked.

Options for Substitutions

This recipe is pretty flexible and you can make several swaps while still getting tasty results:

• Chicken thighs: While chicken thighs give the best results because they stay juicy, you can use chicken breast instead. Just watch the cooking time carefully as breast meat cooks faster and can dry out more easily.
• Whole milk yogurt: Greek yogurt works great as a substitute, or you can use sour cream in a pinch. For a dairy-free version, try coconut yogurt – it adds a nice subtle sweetness to the dish.
• Fresh herbs: If you don’t have fresh parsley or cilantro, you can use dried herbs instead – just use 1/3 of the amount called for. You can also skip cilantro if you’re not a fan and double up on the parsley.
• Sumac: If you can’t find sumac, try using lemon zest mixed with a bit of salt, or just a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end.
• Ground ginger: Fresh grated ginger works too – use about 1 tablespoon fresh for every teaspoon of dried. Just make sure to grate it very finely.
• Olive oil: Any neutral cooking oil like vegetable oil or avocado oil will work just fine here.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making chicken skewers in the oven is preventing the meat from drying out – the key is to avoid overcrowding the pan and maintain enough space between each skewer for even heat circulation. A common mistake is cutting the chicken pieces in different sizes, which leads to uneven cooking – aim for uniform 1.5-inch chunks so everything cooks at the same rate. For the most flavorful results, don’t skip the marinating time – at least 4 hours is ideal, but overnight will give you the best taste and tenderness. To prevent the chicken from sticking to the skewers, make sure to soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before use, and lightly oil both the skewers and the baking sheet. Finally, resist the urge to constantly open the oven door to check on the skewers, as this lets out heat and extends cooking time – instead, use your oven light and check only when necessary.

What to Serve With Chicken Skewers?

These flavorful chicken skewers pair perfectly with warm pita bread and a selection of Middle Eastern-inspired sides. I love serving them over a bed of fluffy rice or couscous to soak up all those tasty juices. A simple cucumber and tomato salad makes a cool, fresh side dish, while hummus or tzatziki sauce works great for dipping. For a complete meal, you can also add some grilled vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or onions – they cook up nicely right alongside the skewers and pick up that same wonderful seasoning.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These tasty chicken skewers will stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I like to keep the meat on the skewers if I’m serving them the next day, but for longer storage, it’s easier to remove the meat from the sticks and store it separately.

Freeze: If you want to make these ahead, you can freeze the marinated, uncooked chicken right on the skewers for up to 3 months. Just wrap them well in plastic wrap and foil. You can also freeze cooked chicken (removed from skewers) in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Reheat: To warm up leftover chicken skewers, pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave them, but the oven helps keep the meat more tender. A quick sprinkle of fresh herbs before serving makes them taste almost like new!

Prep Ahead: Want to get ahead? You can marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours in the fridge before cooking. Just thread them onto skewers when you’re ready to cook. The longer marinating time actually makes the chicken even more flavorful!

Preparation Time	15-30 minutes
Cooking Time	20-25 minutes
Total Time	75-90 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1800-2100
• Protein: 160-180 g
• Fat: 100-120 g
• Carbohydrates: 20-30 g

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup whole milk plain yogurt
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 2 to 3 teaspoons minced garlic, according to taste
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
• Sumac and additional parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by placing the chicken cut into small pieces in a large bowl.

Add olive oil, yogurt, paprika, cumin, salt, onion powder, ginger, black pepper, turmeric, minced garlic, parsley, and cilantro to the bowl.

Mix all the ingredients well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated in the flavorful marinade.

Cover the bowl and let it sit in the fridge for at least one hour or overnight to allow the flavors to develop and permeate the chicken.

Step 2: Prepare the Skewers

While the chicken is marinating, if using wooden skewers, soak them in warm water for about 20 minutes.

This step helps prevent the skewers from burning when placed in the oven.

Step 3: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) in preparation for roasting the chicken skewers once they are ready.

Step 4: Assemble the Skewers

Once the chicken has marinated sufficiently, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the prepared skewers.

For any longer pieces of chicken, make sure to thread them twice on the skewers to prevent them from dangling.

Arrange the skewers on a roasting rack set over a tray, ensuring they are spaced apart for even cooking.

Step 5: Roast the Chicken Skewers

Place the skewers in the preheated oven and roast for 15 minutes.

After the initial roasting time, flip the skewers over and roast for an additional 5 minutes to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked through and evenly browned.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

After removing the skewers from the oven, garnish them with additional cilantro or parsley for a fresh touch.

Sprinkle with sumac for extra flavor, if desired.

Serve the skewers warm and enjoy the tender, herbed chicken.