Grilled Chicken Kabobs

Grilled chicken kabobs are a summer favorite — juicy, smoky and packed with flavor. This recipe uses Kingsford™ Hickory Charcoal Briquets for consistent performance.

Grilled chicken kabobs with zucchini, peppers, and pineapple on a blue plate with dipping sauce
Cooking for 12 people

Ingredients

  • 2 lb.

    boneless, skinless chicken breast

  • zucchini

  • pineapple chunks

  • red bell peppers

  • Add Extra Flavor

  • Suggested marinades:

    • Lemon herb

    • Teriyaki

    • Greek yogurt

    • Mediterranean

    • Tandoori

1Food Prep

  • Preparing Chicken Kabobs:

    • First, soak bamboo skewers in water for at least 1 hour prior to grilling.

    • Once chicken and vegetables are marinated, thread them onto the skewers, leaving a little bit of space between each piece for even cooking. Alternate chicken and vegetables for added color and flavor.

  • Trimming Chicken and Vegetables:

    • Using white chicken breast or dark meat from the thigh, cut your chicken into chunks. Larger chunks of about 1” to 1½” are ideal. If the chunks are too small, the chicken will dry out on the grill.

    • Cut your vegetables into 1” to 1 ½” chunks to match the size of your chicken.

  • Seasoning Chicken and Vegetables:

    • Combine chicken chunks with olive oil and seasoning in a mixing bowl. Adjust flavor to your taste preferences. Allow chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow it to absorb the flavor.

    • Marinate vegetables with olive oil and seasoning in a separate mixing bowl.

2Grill Prep

3The Cook

  • Steps to Grill Your Chicken Kabobs:

    • When you’re at temp, put cooking oil on a folded paper towel. Grab the oiled paper towel with long-handled tongs and oil the grate thoroughly.

    • Place a few of your chicken kabobs directly over the coals.

    • Let the chicken and vegetables sear and get some color.

    • Rotate the skewers to brown all of the sides. You’ll find this requires some attention and time, so don’t try to cook too many at once — work in batches.

    • When the chicken and vegetables have browned on all sides, move to the cooler side to finish cooking through. It will take about 8 minutes total if you’re using white meat, about 9 minutes if using dark meat.

    • Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

    • Serve your chicken kabobs hot off the grill, no need to rest before serving.

  • Pairs Well With:

    • Pasta salad

    • Greek salad

    • Rice pilaf

    • Roasted potatoes

    • Grilled corn

  • How to Store Chicken Kabobs:

    • Allow leftover chicken kabobs to cool to room temperature before storing them. Place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap, then store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

    • For more information on food storage, consult the links below:

      Cold Food Storage Chart

      4 Steps to Food Safety

      Foodsafety.gov

  • How to Reheat Chicken Kabobs:

    • Grilling: Reheat your kabobs on a grill for the best results. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, then place the kabobs on the grill and cook for a few minutes on each side until heated through and slightly charred. This method helps retain the smoky flavor and keeps the chicken juicy.

    • Oven: Preheat your oven to around 350°F. Place the chicken kabobs on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper to prevent sticking. Heat them in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. You can brush them with a bit of olive oil or marinade before reheating to add moisture and flavor.

    • Skillet: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a bit of oil or butter. Place the chicken kabobs in the skillet and cook for a few minutes on each side until heated through. This method is quick and effective but may not retain as much moisture as grilling or oven reheating.

    • Microwave: While convenient, the microwave can sometimes make chicken kabobs dry if not done carefully. Place the kabobs on a microwave-safe plate, cover them with a damp paper towel or microwave-safe lid to trap moisture, and microwave on high for short intervals (30-60 seconds at a time) until heated through. Check the temperature with a food thermometer to ensure they reach 165°F throughout.

  • For safe meat preparation, reference the USDA website.

FAQs

Fruity woods like apple and cherry add a hint of sweetness along with a smoky kiss, making them perfect for golden brown skin.

For kabobs, choose between chicken breasts (lean and cook faster) or thighs (juicier and more flavorful). Both need marinating to prevent dryness.

For classic kabobs, hit the spice rack for paprika, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Craving a Mediterranean twist? Add oregano, thyme, or sumac. Want some heat? Include chili flakes or cayenne pepper (but go easy!). Other options include onion powder, turmeric, or nutmeg for more depth.

Enable cookies to see recommended recipes

Texture Overlay TopTexture Overlay Top Mobile
What’s trending in grilling

Sign up for our socials!

Grilling Basics

How to Grill with Charcoal

Brush up on the basics on grilling with Kingsford™ charcoal briquets and grills.

Get the Basics
Vegetable skewers on a grill with a basting brush brushing oil

Please enable functional cookies to load the reviews content.

Kingsford™ charcoal grill with meat cooking outdoors, person turning food with tongs.Charcoal grill with meat cooking outdoors, person turning food with tongs.

Light your fire with Kingsford™ products.

View All