These Grilled Island Chicken Kabobs shout Summer! I signed my kids up for swimming lessons this summer. My 5 year old daughter is like a fish- she loves it.
He was so excited to start that on the first day of lessons, my 3-year-old ran to the pool and jumped in without being watched. The water was over his head, and he kept his mouth open, so he got a lot of that nice chlorinated water in his mouth.
One of the teachers was in the pool and was able to grab him right after he jumped in, but the damage had already been done. Needless to say, he is terrified of swimming lessons and cries when it’s time to go. So for now, I have pulled him out of his class and will just try again next year.
Other than that, our summer has been a blast! We love the warm weather and playing outside. We also love to eat outside and I am always on the lookout for delicious grilling recipes. As a kid, shish-kabobs were one of my favorite foods because I thought it was so much fun to eat things on a stick.
My kids love eating food on a stick as much as I do- even the vegetables. This recipe is one of my favorites for a quick and easy chicken marinade. You just can’t go wrong with grilled food!
As the weather warms up, chicken kabobs are a fantastic way to get your grill going. The bold flavors of the Mediterranean spices in the marinade pair perfectly with the smoky char the grill provides. Not to mention, threading cubed chicken and veggies onto skewers means you get a complete meal easily made on the grill.
But to end up with the juiciest, most flavorful chicken kabobs, timing is key. Undercook them and you risk foodborne illness from raw chicken. But let them go too long over direct heat and you’ll dry them out.
How long should you cook chicken kabobs on the grill? These tips will help you make sure your chicken kabobs are always safe, tender, and juicy.
Factors That Affect Chicken Kabob Grill Times
There are a few key factors that determine just how long your chicken kabobs need over the hot grill
1. Chicken Type
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Chicken breast is very lean, and if you grill it for too long, it can quickly finish cooking and become dry. It typically takes 10-12 minutes.
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Because they have more fat, chicken thighs can stay on the grill for a little longer. Allow 12-15 minutes.
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Larger chicken pieces like bone-in thighs or drumsticks require more time closer to 20 minutes.
2.Thickness
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Kabobs made with 1 to 1 1/2 inch chunks of chicken will cook faster than larger 2 inch pieces.
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Try to cut the chicken into uniform sizes so they all finish cooking at the same time.
3. Grill Heat
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Hotter grills cook faster. Medium-high heat, around 400°F, is best for a gas grill.
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Cooler grills around 300°F will require a few extra minutes.
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Small kabobs on a cooler grill may take 15 minutes or more.
4. Marinating
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Chicken allowed to marinate for a few hours will cook a bit faster since the acid helps tenderize it.
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Non-marinated or quickly marinated chicken will be firmer and need more grill time.
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Take marinating time into account when determining total cook time.
How to Tell When Chicken Kabobs Are Done
The best way to determine doneness for chicken kabobs is to use an instant read thermometer. Chicken is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
If you don’t have a thermometer, look for these visual signs chicken kabobs are fully cooked:
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The chicken pieces feel firm when pierced with a skewer or fork.
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Cut into a piece of chicken and check that the meat is white throughout with no traces of pink.
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The juices run clear rather than pink or red.
Recommended Grill Times for Chicken Kabobs
Based on the factors above, here are general guidelines for how long to cook chicken kabobs on the grill:
Chicken Breast Kabobs
- 1-inch pieces: 8 to 10 minutes
- 1 1/2-inch pieces: 10 to 12 minutes
Chicken Thigh Kabobs
- 1-inch pieces: 12 to 14 minutes
- 1 1/2-inch pieces: 14 to 16 minutes
Bone-In Chicken Kabobs
- Chicken wings or drumettes: 15 to 20 minutes
- Bone-in thighs: 18 to 22 minutes
Remember, these times are just estimates. Always rely on a thermometer for perfectly cooked chicken. And resist the urge to move and flip the kabobs frequently, which can lead to uneven cooking.
For food safety, discard any chicken that has been sitting out at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F for more than 2 hours.
Grilling Tips for Tender, Juicy Chicken Kabobs
Follow these tips for the most flavorful, tender results:
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If using bamboo skewers, soak them for 1 hour before grilling to prevent burning.
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Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours in the fridge.
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Pat chicken dry before skewering to help it brown and cook evenly.
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Thread kabobs without crowding too tightly so heat circulates.
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Let chicken sit at room temperature 20 minutes before grilling.
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Grill over direct medium-high heat, turning only once halfway through.
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Allow chicken to rest 3 to 5 minutes before serving.
Delicious Sauces and Sides for Chicken Kabobs
Chicken kabobs pair well with all kinds of easy sides and sauces:
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Tzatziki, hummus, baba ganoush
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Tahini or yogurt sauces
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Rice pilaf or pearl couscous
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Grilled pita bread
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Tomato cucumber salad
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Grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and peppers
With the right grill time and a few simple guidelines, you’ll be serving up tasty chicken kabobs all summer long. Just be sure to remove them once the thermometer hits 165°F and let them rest before enjoying these Mediterranean-style kabobs hot off the grill.
Ingredients needed for these Grilled Island Chicken Kabobs:
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite sized pieces)
- 1 red onion (cut into large chunks)
- 1 green bell pepper (cut into large chunks)
- 4 cups fresh pineapple chunks
How to make these delicious Grilled Island Chicken Kabobs:
- In a large bag that can be closed again and again, mix the soy sauce, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, vegetable oil, and lemon juice.
- Place chicken in bag, making sure all pieces are covered.
- Leave the bag closed in the fridge for at least 4 hours (or overnight).
- Put chicken, onion, pepper, and pineapple on metal or wet wooden skewers.
- Discard remaining marinade in bag.
- Heat grill to medium heat.
- A meat thermometer should read 165 degrees F if you use one to make sure the chicken is done. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 7 to 8 minutes on each side, or until the middle is no longer pink.
- Remove from grill and serve.
Grilled Chicken Kabobs that are perfect every time!
FAQ
How long should you grill chicken kabobs?
Chicken kabobs typically require 10-15 minutes of grilling time, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
How long do you grill kabobs on each side?
For most kabobs, you’ll want to grill them for about 2-5 minutes per side on a medium-high heat, turning them frequently to ensure even cooking and to prevent burning.
How do you know when chicken kabobs are done?
A meat thermometer is a very useful tool to have in the kitchen because it tells you when the chicken is fully cooked. For chicken, the internal temperature should be over 70˚c (158˚f) but not over 80˚c.