Go Back
Yogurt marinated chicken skewers on a wooden board with char marks, lemon wedges, and tzatziki on the side

Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers

Juicy grilled chicken skewers marinated in spiced yogurt, lemon, and garlic. Quick to prep, full of flavor.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 310

Ingredients
  

Marinade
  • 200 g plain full-fat yogurt (or Greek yogurt) about 3/4 cup
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely grated
  • 1.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 0.5 tsp ground coriander
  • 0.25 tsp ground turmeric
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for heat
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
Chicken
  • 700 g boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 4 cm pieces about 1.5 lbs
To Serve (optional)
  • 4 pieces flatbread or pita
  • 4 tbsp plain yogurt or tzatziki
  • small handful fresh parsley or mint, roughly chopped
  • 4 lemon wedges

Method
 

Make the Marinade
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, grated garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne (if using), olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Stir until evenly combined.
  2. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels, then add them to the bowl. Toss until each piece is thoroughly coated.
Marinate
  1. Cover the bowl and marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 8 hours. If marinating in the fridge, bring the chicken back to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking.
  2. If using wooden skewers, submerge them in cold water for at least 30 minutes while the chicken marinates.
Grill the Skewers
  1. Thread 4 to 5 pieces of chicken onto each skewer, pressing the pieces snugly together without stacking tightly.
  2. Heat your grill to high (230 C / 450 F) and brush the grates with oil. For broiler cooking, set the rack 10 cm / 4 inches from the element.
  3. Place the skewers on the grill. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes without moving until you see char marks and the edges look opaque. Flip and cook another 4 to 5 minutes.
  4. Check the thickest piece with an instant-read thermometer. Pull the skewers off the heat once internal temperature reaches 74 C / 165 F.
  5. Rest the skewers for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
Serve
  1. Arrange the skewers on a platter with lemon wedges, fresh herbs, and a spoonful of plain yogurt or tzatziki on the side. Serve with warm flatbread if you like.

Notes

For a deeper char without overcooking, press the skewers gently against the grill grates with tongs during the last minute. This works especially well on a gas grill where the direct contact maximizes browning.