Mediterranean Chicken and Vegetable Kebabs

Mediterranean Chicken and Vegetable Kebabs

Mia

These Mediterranean Chicken and Vegetable Kebabs bring the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean coast directly to your dinner table. Inspired by traditional Greek and Turkish souvlaki, these kebabs feature tender chunks of chicken breast marinated in a fragrant blend of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and aromatic herbs like oregano and thyme. The marinade not only infuses the chicken with incredible flavor but also helps keep it moist and juicy during grilling.

What makes these kebabs truly special is the colorful array of vegetables threaded alongside the chicken. Bell peppers, red onions, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes not only add visual appeal but also provide a variety of textures and flavors that complement the seasoned chicken perfectly. As they grill, the vegetables caramelize slightly, developing a subtle sweetness that balances beautifully with the savory, herb-infused chicken.

This dish embodies the heart of Mediterranean cooking: fresh, wholesome ingredients prepared simply to let their natural flavors shine. It's a perfect example of how the Mediterranean Diet emphasizes lean proteins, abundant vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil. The kebabs are naturally low in carbohydrates and high in protein, making them both satisfying and nutritious.

Whether you're grilling outdoors on a warm evening or using an indoor grill pan, these kebabs come together quickly and easily. They're ideal for weeknight dinners, weekend gatherings, or meal prep for the week ahead. Serve them with a side of tzatziki sauce, a fresh Greek salad, or over a bed of fluffy couscous for a complete Mediterranean feast that's as healthy as it is delicious.

Nutrition

32 minutes
None servings
285 calories
Fat 12.00g
Carbs 12.00g
Protein 32.00g

Ingredients

1.5 lbsboneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
1/4 cupextra virgin olive oil
3 tbspfresh lemon juice
3 clovesgarlic cloves, minced
1 tbspdried oregano
1 tspdried thyme
1 tspsalt
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1 largered bell pepper, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
1 largeyellow bell pepper, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
1 largered onion, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
1 mediumzucchini, cut into 1-inch thick rounds
16 wholecherry tomatoes
2 tbspfresh parsley, chopped (optional)
4 wedgeslemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
Whisk
tongs
large mixing bowl
chef's knife
meat thermometer
serving platter
basting brush
plastic wrap
metal or wooden skewers (8 skewers)
grill or grill pan

16:8 Diet

This nutrient-dense recipe is ideal for the 16:8 eating window, providing high-quality protein, fiber-rich vegetables, and healthy fats that deliver sustained energy and satiety to help meet nutritional needs within the compressed timeframe.

80/20 Diet

These kebabs fit the 80/20 approach with 100% nutrient-dense whole foods including lean chicken, colorful vegetables, and healthy olive oil without any processed ingredients, making them an ideal choice for the nutritious 80% portion.

Ancestral Diet

This recipe follows Ancestral Diet principles with grass-fed quality chicken, fresh vegetables, and olive oil while excluding all grains, legumes, dairy, and processed ingredients that would not have been available to hunter-gatherers.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This recipe supports anti-inflammatory eating with colorful antioxidant-rich vegetables, lean protein, extra virgin olive oil, and anti-inflammatory herbs and spices like oregano, garlic, and lemon while avoiding processed foods and refined ingredients.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with whole, minimally processed ingredients including fresh chicken breast, vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, and natural herbs without any refined sugars, artificial ingredients, or processed foods.

DASH Diet

Perfect for the DASH Diet with lean chicken breast, abundant potassium-rich vegetables, and minimal sodium from fresh herbs and spices rather than salt. The recipe emphasizes whole foods and healthy preparation methods without processed ingredients.

Diabetic Diet

These kebabs are diabetic-friendly with low-glycemic vegetables, lean protein that helps stabilize blood sugar, healthy fats from olive oil, and no added sugars or refined carbohydrates.

Evolutionary Diet

These kebabs align with Evolutionary Diet guidelines by using only whole, unprocessed ingredients including chicken, vegetables, and olive oil while avoiding all grains, legumes, dairy, and refined foods.

Flexitarian Diet

These kebabs fit the Flexitarian approach by featuring abundant plant-based vegetables as a major component alongside moderate portions of lean chicken, emphasizing whole foods and healthy preparation methods.

Gluten-Free Diet

These kebabs are naturally gluten-free, containing only fresh chicken, vegetables, olive oil, and herbs without any wheat, grains, or gluten-containing ingredients.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This recipe supports heart health with lean chicken breast, heart-protective extra virgin olive oil, abundant vegetables rich in potassium and fiber, and no saturated fats, trans fats, or processed ingredients.

High-Protein Diet

With 1.5 lbs of lean chicken breast providing approximately 30-35 grams of protein per serving, these kebabs are excellent for high-protein diets while including nutrient-dense vegetables and healthy fats for balanced nutrition.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense recipe is ideal for eating windows during intermittent fasting, providing high-quality lean protein, fiber-rich vegetables, and healthy fats that promote satiety and stable blood sugar levels throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

These kebabs support intuitive eating principles by offering a satisfying, balanced meal with protein, vegetables, and healthy fats that honors both nutrition and pleasure without restriction or food rules.

Low-Carb Diet

These kebabs are naturally low in carbohydrates, featuring protein-rich chicken and non-starchy vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes, with healthy fats from olive oil and no grains or high-carb ingredients.

Mayo Clinic Diet

These kebabs align with Mayo Clinic Diet principles by emphasizing abundant vegetables, lean chicken protein, and healthy olive oil while avoiding processed foods, refined grains, and added sugars.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe perfectly embodies Mediterranean Diet principles with its emphasis on extra virgin olive oil, fresh vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, tomatoes), lean chicken breast, and aromatic herbs like oregano and thyme. The preparation avoids processed ingredients and relies on simple, wholesome foods that are staples of Mediterranean coastal cuisine.

MIND Diet

This recipe supports brain health with lean poultry, abundant vegetables including leafy greens potential garnish, and olive oil as the primary fat while avoiding butter, cheese, and fried foods.

Mindful Eating

This recipe is perfect for mindful eating with its vibrant colors, varied textures, and aromatic herbs that engage multiple senses, featuring whole, minimally processed ingredients that encourage slow, conscious consumption and sensory appreciation.

Paleo Diet

These kebabs are fully Paleo-compliant, featuring grass-fed quality chicken breast, abundant vegetables, and healthy olive oil while completely avoiding grains, legumes, dairy, and processed ingredients. The recipe focuses on whole, unprocessed foods that would have been available to hunter-gatherers.

Pegan Diet

These kebabs align with Pegan principles by featuring vegetables as the primary component (bell peppers, zucchini, onions, tomatoes) with a moderate portion of organic chicken, healthy olive oil, and no dairy, gluten, or processed ingredients.

Primal Blueprint

This recipe is Primal Blueprint-compliant with high-quality chicken protein, abundant non-starchy vegetables, and healthy olive oil while completely excluding grains, legumes, refined sugars, and processed ingredients.

Primal Diet

These kebabs are Primal-compliant, featuring pasture-raised quality chicken, fresh vegetables, and healthy olive oil while completely avoiding grains, legumes, refined sugars, and processed foods.

South Beach Diet

These kebabs fit South Beach Diet guidelines with lean chicken protein, healthy olive oil fats, and plenty of non-starchy vegetables while avoiding refined carbohydrates, processed foods, and added sugars.

Weight Watchers

This recipe aligns with Weight Watchers principles by emphasizing lean skinless chicken breast, abundant non-starchy vegetables, and minimal added fats. The nutrient-dense, whole-food ingredients support weight management while remaining satisfying and flavorful.

Whole30

This recipe is fully Whole30-compliant, using only whole, unprocessed ingredients including chicken, fresh vegetables, olive oil, and herbs without any grains, legumes, dairy, added sugars, or processed ingredients.

Instructions

1

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, oregano, parsley, salt, and black pepper until well combined to create the marinade.

2 min
2

Add the cubed chicken breast to the marinade and toss until all pieces are evenly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 4 hours for more intense flavor.

15 min
3

While the chicken marinates, prepare all the vegetables by cutting the bell peppers and red onion into 1.5-inch pieces, slicing the zucchini into 1-inch rounds, and washing the cherry tomatoes.

8 min
4

If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 10 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.

5

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F to 450°F). Clean the grill grates thoroughly and lightly oil them to prevent sticking.

5 min
6

Thread the marinated chicken and vegetables onto the skewers, alternating between chicken, bell peppers, onion, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes. Leave a small space between each piece for even cooking. You should be able to make 8 kebabs.

8 min
7

Brush any remaining marinade over the vegetables on the skewers for extra flavor.

1 min
8
12 min

Place the kebabs on the preheated grill and cook for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes to ensure even cooking on all sides. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F and the vegetables should be tender with slight char marks.

9

Remove the kebabs from the grill and let them rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

3 min
10

Transfer the kebabs to a serving platter, garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired, and serve with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the top.

1 min

Frequently Asked Questions