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    Home » Main Dish

    Broiled Chicken Kabobs

    Published: June 6, 2019 · Modified: October 4, 2023 by Erika · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Thumbnail of broiled chicken kabobs.
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    broiled chicken kabobs pin.

    Broiled Chicken Kabobs are a quick and easy way to make chicken skewers indoors and all year long. Flavorful marinated pieces of 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 Oven 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 bamboo skewers and make some broiled chicken kabobs. Tender chicken and colorful vegetables make the best flavorful kabobs!

    While kabobs are certainly synonymous with summertime grilling, they can also be made in the oven. Oven chicken kabobs is a great way to achieve charbroiled flavor and flavorful chicken kabobs.

    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.

    Chicken kabobs on a plate with dipping sauce.

    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. It's the best marinade for this chicken kabobs recipe. 
    • There's only a handful of basic, simple ingredients the entire family will love. Plus, easy cleanup is a bonus!

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    Labeled ingredients for the chicken kabobs.
    • Olive Oil: The base of the marinade and helps achieve lightly charred edges. You can also use vegetable oil.
    • 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 bite-size cubes of 1 ½-inch to 2-inches.
    • 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, Yellow, and Red Bell Peppers: Add a beautiful pop of color to each skewer.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    Steps to make the chicken kabobs.

    Step 1: Place the olive oil, light soy sauce, minced garlic, and salt/pepper in a large bowl or resealable baggie. Stir the marinade ingredients well to combine. 

    Step 2: Add the chicken pieces 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 15-20 minutes.

    Step 6: While waiting for the oven to get nice and hot, skewer the chicken and veggies.

    Step 7: Next, prepare a rimmed baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil. Arrange the kabob skewers 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. You can check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer if you're not sure if it's cooked through. 

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

    Kabobs on a white 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 wood 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.
    • Extra marinated veggies? You can either skewer them up and make vegetable kabobs or 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.

    • Steak Kabobs: Use a tender cut of beef (like sirloin).
    • Salmon Kabobs: Sub chicken breasts for salmon (or shrimp/scallops).
    • Vegetable Kabobs: Add mushrooms, tomato wedges and yellow squash or any veggie combination you like.
    • Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs: 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 fine.

    How do I keep kabobs moist?

    The olive oil in the marinade will keep the chicken moist by locking in the juices. This is my favorite chicken marinade.

    What side goes with chicken kabobs? 

    What I love about kabobs is they’re essentially a 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, 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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      Low Calorie Sheet Pan Meal
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      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.

    Thumbnail of broiled chicken kabobs.

    Broiled Chicken Kabobs

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

    Equipment

    • Non-Stick Cookie Sheets
    • Bamboo Skewers
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls

    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-inch pieces
    • 1 large zucchini cut into ½-inch pieces
    • ½ red onion cut into ½-inch pieces
    • 1 green bell pepper cut into ½-inch pieces
    • 1 red bell pepper cut into ½-inch pieces
    • 1 yellow bell pepper cut into ½-inch pieces

    Instructions
     

    • Place the olive oil, light soy sauce, minced garlic, and salt/pepper in a large bowl or resealable baggie. Stir the marinade ingredients well to combine. 
    • Add the chicken pieces 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 15-20 minutes.
    • While waiting for the oven to get nice and hot, skewer the chicken and veggies.
    • Next, prepare a rimmed baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil. Arrange the kabob skewers 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. You can check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer if you're not sure if it's cooked through.

    Notes

    • Don't skip soaking the wood 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.
    • Extra marinated veggies? You can either skewer them up and make vegetable kabobs or toss them on a foil-lined baking sheet and plop them under the broil for about 10 minutes.
    • 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 Kabobs
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. 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
    2. 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
    3. 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
    4. 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
    5. Andrea Metlika

      December 20, 2019 at 5:25 pm

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

      Reply
    6. 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
    7. 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
    8. 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
    9. 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
    10. 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

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