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Say goodbye to boring, bland chicken with this recipe for Grilled Garlic Lemon Chicken. Featuring tender chicken marinated with aromatic garlic and tart lemon, these grilled chicken skewers are ideal for summer entertaining and easy weeknight meals with the family.

Easy Grilled Honey Lemon Chicken Skewers with Arugula and Basil Salad

Update: This recipe for chicken skewers with lemon garlic sauce was originally published in July 2017. I made updates to the article below to include more information about making this dish at home 

Table of Contents

About this lemon garlic grilled chicken 

Grilled honey lemon chicken on skewers offers an easy and quick summer meal, loaded with juicy marinade flavor and an irresistible smoky char from the hot grill! Make these Grilled Garlic Lemon Chicken Skewers in just 20 minutes with minimal ingredients!

The secret to ultra-juicy and succulent lemon chicken skewers is in the marinade! Freshly cubed chicken is soaked in a sweet and tart marinade made with honey, freshly squeezed lemon, lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, and fresh basil. 

It’s NOT just meat on a stick! These lemony chicken skewers provide light summer flavors and sustenance to your selection of fresh salads and side dishes for summer cookouts or indoor grilling any time of the year!

If you love honey and lemon with chicken, try these recipes next: honey lemon ground chicken stir fry and chicken lemon basil pasta.

Why this recipe works!

Lemon pepper chicken kabobs scream “Summertime,” although these juicy and delicious chicken skewers can also be made all year round! Here’s why you’re going to love this dish:

  • Quick and Easy. Whip up these juicy lemon garlic chicken kabobs in just 20 minutes from start to finish! 
  • Versatile! This lemon chicken skewers recipe can easily be adapted by adding vegetables to the skewers or changing the flavor of the marinade!
  • Minimal ingredients! Cubed chicken and lemon marinade is all you need to make these lemon pepper chicken skewers. It doesn’t get easier than that!
  • Ultra tender chicken. Never experience dry, tough, or bland chicken ever again! The lemon marinade adds a zesty flavor and tenderizes the chicken. 
Cubes of chicken with slivers of garlic and basil marinating in a zip-closure bag

Ingredients for grilled garlic lemon chicken

With just a few key ingredients and a hot grill, you can enjoy a winner-winner chicken dinner or lunch! Here’s a closer look at the ingredients you’ll need to get started: 

  • Chicken – Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed. 
  • Lemon – Lemon juice and zest.
    • Substitution: Use bottled lemon juice in a pinch.
  • Honey – Use your favorite brand of honey. 
    • Substitution – Herb-infused honey is a great option. 
  • Olive oil – Use quality olive oil.
    • Substitution: Vegetable oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil. 
  • Garlic cloves – Peeled and thickly sliced.
    • Substitution: Jarred minced garlic or bottled garlic powder.
  • Fresh basil – Peeled and thickly sliced. 

Recipe variations

  • Marinade. Add spices and seasonings such as smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and ginger. You can also use chopped cilantro and parsley in this lemon chicken kabobs marinade. 
  • Chicken. Skinless, boneless chicken thighs or breasts can be used in this honey chicken kabobs recipe. 
  • Add-ons. Consider skewering an assortment of vegetables between the cubed chicken, such as sliced zucchini, red bell pepper, and red onion. 
  • Grill. If you don’t want to grill these garlic lemon chicken kabobs, cook them in the oven at 450F for 12-15 minutes instead. Make sure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165F. 
  • Skewers. Metal skewers can be used instead of wooden skewers, so you won’t need to soak them. 
Overhead, up close shot of a Grilled Honey Lemon Chicken Skewer on a bed of Arugula and Basil Salad

How to make lemony chicken skewers

This lemony chicken is fairly simple to prepare. Here’s how:

  1. Make the honey lemon marinade: In a small non-reactive bowl whisk together the lemon juice, zest, honey, garlic, and basil. Remove 2 tablespoons of the marinade and set aside to use later (you will use this as a glaze to brush on the chicken while it’s grilling).
  2. Marinate chicken: Place the cubed chicken into a large zip-closure bag and pour the honey-lemon sauce over the chicken. Seal the bag and toss to coat. Transfer the bag to the refrigerator and let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 5 hours.
  3. Preheat grill and prep chicken for grilling: Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium heat. Remove the chicken from the bag and discard marinade. Thread the chicken onto skewers (SEE NOTE) and season generously with salt and pepper.
  4. Grill chicken: Add the chicken skewers to the hot grill and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, for a total of 8-10 minutes or until cooked through. During the last few minutes of grilling, brush the chicken occasionally with the reserved honey lemon sauce.
  5. Serve: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the skewers and serve immediately with your favorite side dish. Enjoy!

Expert tips for the best success!

  1. Chicken for skewers: You can use either chicken breasts or chicken thighs for these grilled honey lemon chicken skewers, just make sure you are using boneless, skinless chicken. Be sure to cut the chicken into cubes roughly 1 – 1 ½’’ in size. Chicken cut too small in size is prone to overcooking and drying out.
  2. Marinating chicken. When you marinate the chicken, make sure you marinate it for at least 30 minutes. However, since there is lemon juice in the marinade, do NOT marinate for any longer than 4 or 5 hours. The lemon juice will “cook” the meat, so if you marinate it too long the chicken will end up dry and mushy in texture.
  3. Wood skewers: If you are using wooden skewers for your kebobs, make sure you soak the skewers for at least 30 minutes in water to prevent them from burning on the grill!
Overhead shot of a tray of Grilled Honey Lemon Chicken Skewers on a bed of Arugula and Basil Salad; with a neutral linen, a bowl of pine nuts and lemon halves framing the photo

FAQs: frequently asked questions

Does lemon juice soften chicken?

It does! The acidity in lemon juice tenderizes chicken meat, making it soft, juicy, and flavorful. 

Can I make these honey lemon chicken skewers the night before?

If you want to reduce the preparation time for this recipe, I recommend cutting the chicken into cubes and making the marinade, but store these two recipe components separately from each other as the chicken can start to cook from the acidity of the lemon marinade if left for longer than 4-5 hours.  

How long do you soak chicken skewers?

30 minutes is sufficient time to soak the wooden skewers for these honey garlic chicken kabobs.

How often do you flip chicken skewers?

Lemon garlic chicken skewers can be flipped every 3-4 minutes. Since this recipe only calls for 4-5 minutes of cooking time per side, you could flip these skewers once. Some people prefer to flip them several times throughout the cooking time. 

Is breast or thigh better for honey chicken kabobs?

Both chicken breast and chicken thigh is a good choice for skewers. If you prefer leaner chicken, use chicken breast, but if you want juicier chicken with extra flavor, opt for the fattier chicken thigh meat. 

Overhead shot of a tray of Grilled Honey Lemon Chicken Skewers on a bed of Arugula and Basil Salad with a neutral linen, pink water glasses, grilled lemon halves and a bowl of pine nuts framing the photo

Serving honey chicken kabobs

These lemony chicken skewers with peppery arugula are the perfect pairing! However, it’s made all the better with a sauce. I love serving this with a simple Greek yogurt dipping sauce made with a mixture of honey, dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper. However, it’s equally delicious with Alabama white sauce, chimichurri sauce, mojo sauce cuban, or avocado dressing!

If you’re having a barbecue, consider making it a celebration of food on a stick. Try serving your grilled lemon chicken with Pork Tenderloin Skewers, Skirt Steak Skewers, and/or Greek Salad with Roasted Shrimp Skewers so your guests have multiple protein options.

Side ideas to serve alongside

They sky is the limit when it comes to pairing options for your chicken skewers. Here are a few of my favorite serving ideas:

Overhead up-close shot of four overlapping Grilled Honey Lemon Chicken Skewers on a bed of Arugula and Basil Salad, with a bowl of lemon yogurt dip in the right corner

Storing leftovers

Store leftover honey chicken kabobs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Freezing instructions

Store leftover grilled chicken kebabs in an airtight container in the freezer for 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge, and reheat it in the microwave. 

The marinated chicken cubes can also be stored raw in airtight freezer bags in the freezer for up to 3 months. Remove the chicken cubes from the marinade and transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flash-freeze the chicken cubes, and once solid, transfer them to freezer-safe bags. Thaw the frozen chicken cubes overnight in the fridge and grill them when ready to enjoy!  

Reheating instructions

Reheat leftover lemony chicken kebabs in the microwave or oven. When reheating in the oven, cover the dish with aluminum foil to help prevent the chicken from drying out. 

Overhead of a tray of Grilled Honey Lemon Chicken Skewers on a bed of Arugula and Basil Salad with a bowl of lemon yogurt dip and lemon wedges

Get your grill on this week with these quick and easy, delicious, and juicy Grilled Garlic Lemon Chicken Skewers! Perfect with salad and other favorite summer side dishes.

Until next time, friends, cheers! To gussied up chicken on a stick.

Cheyanne

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More grilled chicken skewer recipes!

Grilled Honey Lemon Chicken

5 from 8 votes
Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 20 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Quick and Easy Grilled Honey Lemon Chicken Skewers. Served over a delicate salad of arugula and basil, this skewer and salad combo is perfect for weeknight dinners and summer entertaining!

Equipment

  • 1 Whisk (for whisking honey lemon marinade)
  • 1 Resealable Gallon-Size Storage Bag (for marinating chicken)
  • 1 Outdoor Grill or Grill Pan (for grilling chicken)

Ingredients 

  • 1 ½ pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs – cut into 1 – 1 ½’’ cubes
  • 1 large Lemon – Juice and Zest (approximately 1/4 cup juice and a scant TBS zest)
  • 4 TBS Honey
  • 3 TBS Olive Oil
  • 2 cloves Garlic – peeled and thickly sliced
  • 1 Cup + 2 TBS Fresh Basil divided (1 cup leaves and 2 TBS chiffonade)
  • Optional Garnishes: Micro Greens or Basil, Lemon Zest
  • Serving Suggestions: Grilled Lemon Wedges, Cherry Tomato Salad or Arugula Salad, Lemon Rice

Instructions

  • Make the honey lemon marinade: In a large zip-closure storage bag, whisk together the lemon juice, zest, honey, garlic and 2 tablespoons of basil. Remove 2 tablespoons of the marinade and set aside to use later as a glaze.
  • Marinate the chicken: Place the cubed chicken into bag with the marinade, press out the air, and seal the bag. Toss the chicken well to coat in the marinade. Then, transfer the bag to the refrigerator and let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 5 hours.
  • Preheat grill and prepare chicken for grilling: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Remove chicken from the bag and discard marinade. Thread the chicken onto skewers and season generously with salt and pepper. (SEE NOTES)
  • Grill chicken: Place the chicken skewers onto the hot grill and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side for a total of 8-10 minutes, or until cooked through. During the last few minutes of grilling, use a pastry brush to brush the reserved honey lemon sauce all over the chicken.
  • To Serve: Transfer the hot honey lemon chicken skewers to a serving platter and garnish with fresh lemon zest, basil, and lemon wedges, if using. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

  • Chicken: You can use either chicken breasts or chicken thighs for these skewers, just make sure you are using boneless, skinless chicken.  Be sure to cut the chicken into cubes roughly 1 – 1 ½’’ in size.  Chicken cut too small in size is prone to overcooking and drying out.
  • Marinating chicken: Make sure you marinate it for at least 30 minutes, but since there is lemon juice in the marinade, do NOT marinate for longer than 4 or 5 hours.  (The lemon juice will “cook” the meat, so if you marinate it too long the chicken will end up dry and mushy in texture)
  • Skewers: If you are using wooden skewers, make sure you soak the skewers for at least 30 minutes in water to prevent them from burning on the grill!
  • Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and the juices run clear.
  • Dipping Sauce Option: I am a big fan of dipping sauces so I served my skewers with a simple lemony yogurt sauce for dipping. I mix Greek yogurt with honey, Dijon, lemon juice, salt and pepper – all to taste.
Nutritional information is an estimate based upon 4 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 374kcal    Carbohydrates: 22g    Protein: 38g    Fat: 15g    Saturated Fat: 2g    Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g    Monounsaturated Fat: 9g    Trans Fat: 0.02g    Cholesterol: 109mg    Sodium: 202mg    Potassium: 858mg    Fiber: 2g    Sugar: 18g    Vitamin A: 3177IU    Vitamin C: 28mg    Calcium: 124mg    Iron: 3mg
Course: entree, Main Course
Cuisine: American

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A hand grabbing a chicken skewer from a tray of Grilled Honey Lemon Chicken Skewers on a bed of Arugula and Basil Salad