Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers are a fun flavor packed dinner! Tender chicken marinated to perfection and covered in a savory garlic butter sauce.
Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers Recipe
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These skewers are a twist on the classic lemon pepper chicken wings. There is something special about the combination of lemon and pepper. Grilled, pan fried or air fried to perfection for the ultimate quick and easy dinner.
What are Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers
These skewers are made with boneless skinless chicken thighs. They are marinated with lemon, pepper, and garlic. The skewers are basted with a savory lemon pepper garlic butter that keeps the chicken is incredibly tender and moist.
The best part is these skewers are versatile and can be BBQed, air fried or pan fried. Making them perfect for dinner any day of the week and year round!
What to Serve with this Dish
- Greek Feta Potato Salad
- Dill Pickle Chopped Salad
- Broccoli Cheddar Twice Baked Potatoes
- Yellow Rice
- Greek Potatoes
- Olive Garden Salad Copycat
Ingredients
- Chicken Marinade
- Chicken - boneless skinless chicken thighs are recommended for the most tender and moist skewers. You can also use boneless skinless chicken breast if you prefer.
- Lemon Juice - not only adds the lemon flavor but it also tenderizes and keeps the chicken moist!
- Oil - you can use any neutral oil of choice, for example, olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, etc.
- Paprika - give the skewers a nice color when cooked.
- Lemon Zest - the combination of both lemon juice and zest gives the best lemon flavor!
- Pepper - fresh cracked black pepper gives these skewers their signature lemon pepper flavor!
- Garlic - the combo of lemon pepper and garlic is simply divine!
- Salt
- Lemon Pepper Garlic Butter - basted over the skewers while cooking
- Butter
- Lemon Zest
- Lemon Juice
- Honey
- Paprika
- Pepper
- Garlic
How to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers
Full Printable Recipe at Bottom of page
- If using wooden skewers soak in water for 15-30 minutes prior to cooking. This prevents them from charring/burning on the grill.
- In a bowl or Ziploc bag add the cut chicken and all of the marinade ingredients (paprika, black pepper, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, salt and olive oil.) Mix everything until thoroughly combined. Set aside to marinate.
- To prepare the lemon pepper garlic butter, if your butter is not at room temperature then microwave for about 10-15 seconds or until slightly softened. This will make it easier to stir the butter together. Add the remaining ingredients to the butter and stir to combine (black pepper, paprika, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey and garlic).
- IMPORTANT: remove 2 tablespoon of the lemon pepper garlic butter and set aside in a small container. This is to prevent cross contamination when cooking. This will be used to baste the skewers once they are fully cooked.
- Skewer the chicken onto wooden or metal skewers. To keep the chicken moist, skewer the chicken tightly together.
- AIR FRYER COOKING METHOD
Once the chicken is skewered, cook at 400°F for 7-8 minutes. Baste with the butter mixture and flip. Baste again and continue cooking for 6-7 minutes until cooked through.
BBQ COOKING METHOD
Grill over medium-high heat for about 5-6 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165ºF), baste with the seasoned butter before and after flipping.
PAN FRIED COOKING METHOD
Using a grill pan, cast iron skillet, or frying pan, cook the skewers over medium-high heat for about 6-7 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165ºF), basting with the seasoned butter before after flipping. - Once fully cooked transfer the skewers to a serving platter and baste with the reserved seasoned butter from step 4. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Skewers
- Skewers - You can use either wooden or metal skewers. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before using them. This prevents the skewers from burning during cooking. If using metal skewers, make sure they fit in the air fryer basket. If using long wooden skewers, you can carefully break them in half if you need to shorten them to fit in your air fryer.
- Chicken - Be sure to cut the pieces of chicken into the same size to ensure even cooking. If the pieces are different sizes you will end up with some over cooked and some perfectly cooked pieces of chicken. For the most tender and moist skewers we recommend boneless skinless chicken thighs. However, you can also use boneless skinless chicken breast if you prefer.
- Variations - for a more hearty and well balanced meal you can add any veggies you like to the skewers! Cut the veggies the same size as the chickens so everything cooks evenly. You can add bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, or onions.
FAQ
To reheat cooked skewers and maintain crispness, you can reheat in the air fryer or oven at 350ºF until warmed through or reheat in the microwave. If you have any leftover reserved lemon pepper garlic butter, you can baste them during and after reheating.
Store the chicken skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last up to 4 days.
Yes! Once seasoned chicken is on the skewers, you can store them in the refrigerator or freeze them before cooking. If stored in the refrigerator, they will last 2-3 days, covered. These can also be frozen ahead of time by wrapping the chicken skewers tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer safe bag. They will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to cook them, let the skewers thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
These can also be frozen (cooked or raw) by wrapping the chicken skewers tightly in plastic wrap and storing in a freezer safe bag or container. They will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat the cooked skewers, thaw in the fridge overnight and follow the above reheating notes. To cook the raw skewers, thaw in the fridge overnight and then follow the cooking instructions in the recipe card.
This recipe is gluten free.
More Easy Chicken Dinners
- Chicken Souvlaki
- Pollo Asado (Chipotle Copycat)
- Honey Garlic Chicken and Green Beans
- Bruschetta Chicken
- Bacon Wrapped Chicken and Veggies
- Chicken Enchiladas
Enjoy!
- Sab
Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs (boneless skinless, cut into bite sized pieces, or boneless skinless chicken breast)
Chicken Marinade
- 2 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon black pepper
- Zest from one lemon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh )
- 3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
Lemon Pepper Garlic Butter
- ½ cup salted butter (softened at room temperature)
- 2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh )
- Zest from one lemon
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic (grated or finely minced)
Instructions
- If using wooden skewers soak in water for 15-30 minutes prior to cooking. This prevents them from charring/burning on the grill.
- In a bowl or Ziploc bag add the cut chicken and all of the marinade ingredients (paprika, black pepper, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, salt and olive oil.) Mix everything until thoroughly combined. Set aside to marinate.
- To prepare the lemon pepper garlic butter, if your butter is not at room temperature then microwave for about 10-15 seconds or until slightly softened. This will make it easier to stir the butter together. Add the remaining ingredients to the butter and stir to combine (black pepper, paprika, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey and garlic).
- IMPORTANT: remove 2 tablespoon of the lemon pepper garlic butter and set aside in a small container. This is to prevent cross contamination when cooking. This will be used to baste the skewers once they are fully cooked.
- Skewer the chicken onto wooden or metal skewers. To keep the chicken moist, skewer the chicken tightly together.
- AIR FRYER COOKING METHODOnce the chicken is skewered, cook at 400°F for 7-8 minutes. Baste with the butter mixture and flip. Baste again and continue cooking for 6-7 minutes until cooked through.BBQ COOKING METHODGrill over medium-high heat for about 5-6 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165ºF), baste with the seasoned butter before and after flipping.PAN FRIED COOKING METHODUsing a grill pan, cast iron skillet, or frying pan, cook the skewers over medium-high heat for about 6-7 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165ºF), basting with the seasoned butter before after flipping.
- Once fully cooked transfer the skewers to a serving platter and baste with the reserved seasoned butter from step 4. Serve immediately and enjoy! (Optional: garnish with fresh chopped parsley and lemon zest).
Video
Nutrition
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