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The starter, Mediterranean

Lemon oregano chicken skewers

Lemon oregano chicken skewers are a Mediterranean starter for 6 people that takes 25 minutes of active work. The marinade comes together the night before, leaving only skewering and grilling for the day. Very easy to make, at €2.60 per person, the trick is searing the chicken without moving it for the first few minutes.

Chicken skewers marinated overnight in lemon and oregano, grilled right before serving, taste like a vacation in Greece.

Lemon oregano chicken skewers
For
6 people
Work
25 min
Total time
1 h
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.60
Calories per person
270 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Chicken marinated overnight in lemon, garlic, and oregano turns tender and fragrant all the way through. Grilled right before serving, it keeps a lightly golden crust and a juicy center, with that bright herb and citrus smell that brings back seaside tavernas.

This starter is perfect for a summer dinner with friends, served alongside lingering drinks or to open a barbecue meal. Simple and loved by everyone, kids included, it fits easily into a Mediterranean menu with a tomato salad or tabbouleh.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 3 steps, 12 h
  2. The same day Nothing to do
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step, 30 min
  4. When it's time to serve 2 steps, 10 min

The night before, cut the chicken, make the marinade, and let it rest in the fridge overnight. Just before guests arrive, thread the cubes onto the soaked skewers and take them out of the fridge. At serving time, grill the skewers for 10 minutes and plate them with a lemon wedge.

The ingredients

6 people

Butcher

  • Chicken breasts 700 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Lemon 3
  • Garlic 3 cloves

Pantry

  • Dried oreganooften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 5 tbsp
  • Sweet paprikaoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Skewersoften in the pantry 12
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Cut the chicken breasts into even cubes of about 3 cm.

    Cubes of the same size cook at the same rate.

  2. Mix the lemon juice and zest, chopped garlic, oregano, paprika, oil, salt, and pepper, then coat the chicken.

    Zest the lemons before juicing them, it's much easier.

  3. Cover and let marinate in the fridge overnight. 12 h

    Stir once, so the marinade soaks every cube.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Thread the cubes onto the skewers, 4 or 5 per skewer, pressing them lightly together. 30 min

    Take them out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking so they're not cold in the center.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Grill the skewers in a very hot pan or on the grill, turning them. 10 min

    Don't move them for 3 minutes, the meat releases on its own once it's seared.

  2. Serve with a lemon wedge and a pinch of oregano.

    Squeeze the lemon over the hot skewers, it wakes up the marinade.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick firm chicken breasts and cut them into even cubes, the marinade soaks in better and the cooking is more consistent.
  • Don't oversalt the marinade if you're making it well ahead, too much salt can toughen the meat over time, a pinch is enough.
  • Heat your pan or grill really well before adding the skewers, that's what gives the nice color without drying out the chicken.

The variations

  • Swap the chicken for cod or monkfish cubes, the lemon marinade works just as well with fish, just cut the marinating time to 1 hour.
  • For a vegetarian version, use halloumi cubes with summer vegetables like zucchini and bell pepper, grilled the same way.
  • To save time, marinate the chicken for just 2 hours instead of overnight, the flavor will be slightly milder but the recipe still works well.

What to serve it with

  • Fresh tabbouleh with parsley and mint
  • Tomato salad with olive oil
  • Tzatziki or lemony yogurt sauce

Storage

The raw marinated chicken keeps for 24 hours in the fridge in a sealed container. Once cooked, the skewers keep for 2 days in the fridge and reheat gently in a pan, they don't freeze well once grilled.

Questions about this recipe

Can these skewers be baked in the oven instead of pan grilled?

Yes, place them on a rack and bake at 220 degrees for about 15 minutes, turning halfway through. The cooking will be even, though with a bit less color than a very hot pan.

How can you tell the chicken is fully cooked inside?

Cut a cube in half, the meat should be white with clear juices, no pink. With 3 cm cubes, 10 minutes of cooking while turning is usually enough.

Can chicken thighs be used instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless thighs cut into cubes stay juicy and hold up well in the marinade. Add about 2 to 3 more minutes of cooking per side.

Do you have to use wooden skewers?

No, metal skewers work too and don't need soaking. If you use wood, soaking for 30 minutes keeps them from charring on the grill.

Can lemon oregano chicken skewers be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 25 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 3 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 2 steps.

How long does it take to make lemon oregano chicken skewers?

Allow 1 h in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 25 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in lemon oregano chicken skewers?

About 270 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does lemon oregano chicken skewers cost?

About €2.60 per person, that's €15.60 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe doesn't contain any of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. It's still a good idea to ask your guests about their allergies.

To round out your menu

Build a menu
Tiramisu The dessert

Mediterranean

Tiramisu

  • 30 min of work
  • Prepared the day before
  • Easy, €2.30 per person

520 kcalcalculated by Kiloach

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