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    Home » Main Dish

    Broiled Chicken Kabobs

    Published: June 6, 2019 - Last updated: February 9, 2023 by Erika

    broiled chicken kabobs thumbnail picture.
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    broiled chicken kabobs pin.

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    Broiled Chicken Kabobs are a quick and easy way to make shish kabobs indoors and all year long. Flavorful marinated chicken breast and tender-crisp vegetables skewered and then cooked to perfection under a hot broiler.

    four chicken kabobs on a plate.
    Jump to:
    • Broiling vs. Grilling
    • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients You’ll Need
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • How To Grill Chicken Kabobs
    • Expert Tips
    • Variations
    • Storing & Freezing
    • Recipe FAQ’s
    • More Sheet Pan Chicken Recipes You'll Love
    • Broiled Chicken Kabobs

    Check out my Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs and my Broiled Chicken Wings for more oven chicken recipes!

    With summertime well on its way, it's time to break out the skewers and make some broiled chicken kabobs. Tender chicken and fresh vegetables are the perfect combination of light and healthy yet delicious and satisfying. Kabobs are basically the perfect summertime meal.

    While kabobs are certainly synonymous with summertime grilling, they can also be made in the oven. Broiling kabobs in the oven is a great way to achieve charbroiled flavor without lugging out the grill.

    Broiling vs. Grilling

    Let's first discuss how broiling compares to grilling. Both methods use direct heat and a similar cooking process. The primary difference is the source of the heat. When grilling, the heat source is below the food and when broiling the heat source is above the food. During both methods, food is turned to cook all sides evenly.

    That said, broiling is different from roasting and baking in that the food is rotated during the process, exposing one side at a time to the high heat.

    close up view of chicken kabobs on a plate.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • This is the perfect summertime recipe, but since we're making these in the oven there's no need to stand over the grill during bad weather.
    • The simple marinade is jam-packed with flavor and can be used to marinade so many things.
    • Chicken on a stick is great grab-and-go food -perfect for lounging poolside, camping, sporting events, etc.
    • You can swap out the meat and vegetables for any combination you prefer!
    • There's only a handful of basic, healthy ingredients.

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    chicken kabobs labeled ingredients.
    • Olive Oil: The base of the marinade and helps achieve lightly charred edges.
    • Lite Soy Sauce: Adds savory, umami flavor to the marinade.
    • Honey: Adds a subtle sweetness to the marinade. The natural sugars also help tenderize the chicken.
    • Minced Garlic: Flavors the marinade.
    • Salt & Ground Pepper: Enhances the flavor of the whole dish.
    • Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: Cut into 1 ½" to 2" plump chunks.
    • Zucchini: Should be firm and vibrant green. I try to find larger zucchinis for grilling/broiling because their thicker skins hold up to the high heat.
    • Red Onion: Adds another layer of veggies to the skewers.
    • Green, Red, and Yellow Bell Peppers: Add a beautiful pop of color to each skewer.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    four image process making broiled chicken kabobs.

    Step 1:

    Place the olive oil, light soy sauce, minced garlic, and salt/pepper in a large bowl or resealable baggie. Stir well to combine.

    Step 2:

    Add the chicken and vegetables to the marinade. Toss well to coat.

    Step 3:

    Cover the bowl (or seal the bag) and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes or as long as 8 hours.

    Step 4:

    Meanwhile, soak wooden skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.

    Step 5:

    Turn the broiler on and preheat for 15 to 20 minutes.

    Step 6:

    Before broiling, turn the oven onto high broil for about 15 to 20 minutes to ensure the oven is hot enough (while waiting for the oven to get nice and hot, skewer the chicken and veggies).

    Step 7:

    Next, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with foil. Arrange the kabobs in a single layer.

    Step 8:

    Place baking sheet under broil and broil for 4 minutes. Carefully flip each kabob over and continue broiling for another 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and veggies are lightly charred and cooked tender. Enjoy!  

    NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

    chicken kabobs on a plate with dipping sauce.

    How To Grill Chicken Kabobs

    It's worth mentioning that you can also grill these kabobs.

    Step 1:

    Preheat grill range over medium heat.

    Step 2:

    Place kabobs over direct heat and cook until chicken is no longer pink and the vegetables are just beginning to char (8 to 10 minutes), turning halfway through.

    Step 3:

    Remove from heat as soon as the chicken reaches temperature to avoid overcooking,

    Expert Tips

    • Don't skip soaking the skewers! Soaking them first prevents them from charring and turning black in the oven -OR go ahead and skip this entire step and just use metal skewers.
    • Soak the skewers and marinate the meat and vegetables the night before, so the day off all you need to do is throw the kabobs in the oven.
    • You don't need a broiling pan to successfully broil food. For this recipe, we're simply using a baking sheet, but you can also use a roasting pan, aluminum baking tray or cast-iron skillet.
    • Please be careful and use oven mitts when you flip the kabobs! Those sticks will be hot!
    • Extra marinated veggies? You can either skewer them up and make vegetable kabobs or simply toss them on a foil-lined baking sheet and plop them under the broil for about 10 minutes.

    Variations

    The list of things you CAN cook on a stick is basically endless. Here are a few of my favorite ways to switch up these kabobs using my basic marinade.

    • Broiled Steak Kabobs; use a tender cut of beef (like sirloin).
    • Broiled Salmon Kabobs; sub chicken breasts for salmon (or shrimp/scallops).
    • Broiled Vegetable Kabobs; add mushrooms, tomato wedges and yellow *squash or any veggie combination you like.
    • Broiled "Hawaiian" Kabobs; simply add fresh pineapple chunks to each kabob. Yum!

    Storing & Freezing

    Storing: Make sure the broiled chicken kabobs have cooled completely and then store in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 days in the fridge.

    Freezing: If freezing, it's best to freeze the skewer before cooking. Freeze raw skewers on a baking sheet and then wrap each frozen skewer tightly in plastic wrap and store in a container in the freezer for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before broiling or grilling.

    Recipe FAQ’s

    Can I use chicken thighs for kabobs?

    Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will work just

    How do I keep kabobs moist?

    The olive oil in the marinade will keep the chicken moist by locking in the juices. Also, be careful not to overcook.

    What side goes with chicken kabobs? 

    What I love about kabobs is they’re essentially a healthy main dish and a side dish all on one stick. Need more? Serve chicken kabobs with vegetable fried rice, couscous or a simple green salad. 

    Are chicken kabobs gluten-free?

    To make this recipe gluten-free, simply use your favorite gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos in place of light soy sauce.

    More Sheet Pan Chicken Recipes You'll Love

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      Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
    • sheet pan boneless chicken breast and potatoes thumbnail picture.
      Sheet Pan Boneless Chicken Breast And Potatoes

    If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to signup for my newsletter.

    broiled chicken kabobs thumbnail picture.

    Broiled Chicken Kabobs

    Erika
    Broiled chicken kabobs -a quick and easy way to make shish kabobs indoors and all year long. Flavorful marinated chicken breast and tender-crisp vegetables skewered and then cooked to perfection under a hot broiler.
    4.96 from 25 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Marinating Time 30 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 Servings
    Calories 203 kcal

    Equipment

    • Set Of 3 Non-Stick Cookie Sheets
    • Bamboo Skewers
    • Measuring Spoons and Measuring Cups
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls (Set of 6)

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ⅓ cup lite soy sauce
    • ¼ cup honey
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1" pieces
    • 1 large zucchini cut into ½" pieces
    • ½ red onion cut into ½" pieces
    • 1 green bell pepper cut into ½" pieces
    • 1 red bell pepper cut into ½" pieces
    • 1 yellow bell pepper cut into ½" pieces
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    Instructions
     

    • Place the olive oil, light soy sauce, minced garlic, and salt/pepper in a large bowl or resealable baggie. Stir well to combine.
    • Add the chicken and vegetables to the marinade. Toss well to coat.
    • Cover the bowl (or seal the bag) and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes or as long as 8 hours.
    • Meanwhile, soak wooden skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
    • Turn the broiler on and preheat for 15 to 20 minutes.
    • Before broiling, turn the oven onto high broil for about 15 to 20 minutes to ensure the oven is hot enough (while waiting for the oven to get nice and hot, skewer the chicken and veggies).
    • Next, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with foil. Arrange the kabobs in a single layer.
    • Place baking sheet under broil and broil for 4 minutes. Carefully flip each kabob over and continue broiling for another 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and veggies are lightly charred and cooked tender. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Don’t skip soaking the skewers! Soaking them first prevents them from charring and turning black in the oven -OR go ahead and skip this entire step and just use metal skewers.
    • Soak the skewers and marinate the meat and vegetables the night before, so the day off all you need to do is throw the kabobs in the oven.
    • Soak the skewers and marinate the meat and vegetables the night before, so the day off all you need to do is throw the kabobs in the oven.
    • Storing: Make sure the broiled chicken kabobs have cooled completely and then store in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 days in the fridge.
    • Freezing: If freezing, it’s best to freeze the skewer before cooking. Freeze raw skewers on a baking sheet and then wrap each frozen skewer tightly in plastic wrap and store in a container in the freezer for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before broiling or grilling.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 203kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 18gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 526mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11g

    All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keyword Broiled Chicken and Vegetable Kabobs, Broiled Chicken Kabobs
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Playful Cooking

      June 08, 2019 at 4:33 am

      The chicken does look moist! How did it not get the char under the broil?

      Reply
      • simplylowcal

        July 16, 2019 at 12:56 am

        It just didn't actually. It wasn't in the broiler for too long, so it was just enough to cook and not to char. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Alisa Infanti

      June 15, 2019 at 12:34 pm

      Nothing says summer like having a BBQ and I always like to do kebobs. They are super easy and look special. Your recipe looks amazing. I will have to give it a try at my next gathering.

      Reply
      • simplylowcal

        July 16, 2019 at 12:57 am

        Thanks! I hope you like! I love kabobs too.

        Reply
    3. Ramona

      June 17, 2019 at 11:10 am

      I love to eat well and have less calories is definitely a bonus. I will definitely make these super soon. Colourful and so delicious recipe. Thanks for sharing

      Reply
    4. Ali Hanson

      July 19, 2019 at 7:49 pm

      This looks like the perfect summer recipe. Summer zucchini are my absolute favorite! Nice work!!

      Reply
    5. Jen

      December 20, 2019 at 5:15 pm

      I love how easy this is to make! Definitely a go to dinner when I don’t feel like cooking.

      Reply
    6. Andrea Metlika

      December 20, 2019 at 5:25 pm

      I really like that I can make these in my oven. They look delicious.

      Reply
    7. Marie

      December 20, 2019 at 5:37 pm

      Love the looks of this recipe! It's actually perfect for winter when you can't get out and grill. Just let the broiler do the job. Pinning for later!

      Reply
    8. Jessica Formicola

      December 20, 2019 at 6:05 pm

      This is our absolute favorite dinner recipe! We make it all the time! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

      Reply
    9. Beth

      December 20, 2019 at 6:12 pm

      These look fabulous! Thankfully I live in AZ and can still run outside and grill so I won't have to wait till next summer to give these a try!

      Reply
    10. Laura

      December 20, 2019 at 6:14 pm

      These are so easy to make. I love how they turn out slightly charred on the edges. It feels like cooking on the grill, even when it's too cold outside.

      Reply

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    Hi and welcome! My name is Erika and I’m a huge foodie with an appetite for almost anything. I love all foods, especially desserts! I try to cook things that are simple, practical, and delicious. Read More…

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