No need for a grill to savor juicy chicken kebabs thanks to this oven-baked chicken skewers recipe. Fully customizable to use different seasonings and spices, include vegetables and more, these are perfect for all sorts of meals.
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What is it about eating food off of a stick that makes it so much more fun?
I mean, this recipe is, at its core, marinated chicken breasts that have been baked.
Yet, cooking them in the form of a skewer is just. so. much. better.
You'll love them because:
- No grill needed. Whether it is simply not grilling weather (hello months of winter), you don't own a grill or simply feel like using the oven, you can enjoy these scrumptious chicken skewers.
- So juicy. While chicken breasts tend to be prone to drying out, thanks to the marinating and the relatively quick cooking time of this recipe, the chicken turns out perfectly moist.
- Lots of ways to serve it. Enjoy it paired with potatoes, rice or pasta, serve them over a salad (such as this Mediterranean salad), use them to make wraps, pitas (like a chicken souvlaki) and more.
- Customizable. While I wrote the recipe to have a bit of a Mediterranean inspired flavor profile, you can easily adapt the seasonings or add your favorite vegetables for all sorts of flavors.
The Ingredients

- Chicken Breasts- You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. I generally find that thighs turn out juiciest but I know not everyone is a fan, so I tend to stick with breasts when serving these to guests.
- Dried Oregano- I love the way that this herb pairs with the other flavors and gives the recipe a Mediterranean vibe. You can swap in whatever herb you'd like though or leave it out.
- Garlic Powder- Fresh minced garlic will also work. Use 1-2 cloves per pound of meat depending on how garlicky you would like.
- Lemon- Provides the acid for the marinade and the fresh flavor pairs great with the seasonings I used. If you're going for a different flavor, you could use lime, apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar.
- Sea Salt- Kosher or table salt will also work; adjust to taste.
- Black Pepper- For a bit of flavor. Fine or coarse pepper work.
- Avocado Oil- This provides the base to the marinade, helping the seasoning to stick as well as keeping the chicken moist. I prefer avocado oil but your cooking oil of choice would likely work.
The Method
**If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for a minimum of 30 minutes to prevent burning. I recommend starting to soak these before starting the recipe.
1. Prepare chicken. Cut the chicken breasts into cubes, about 1 inch each.

2. Marinate. In a bowl, combine the salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder, lemon juice and avocado oil.

Place the chicken cubes in a large, sealable glass dish and pour the marinade over top. Stir to ensure that the chicken is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day.

3. Assemble. Preheat your oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto metal or soaked wooden skewers and place onto the prepared baking sheet.

4. Bake. Bake for 12-18 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

5. Enjoy!
Leftovers and Storage
To Store: Remove leftover baked chicken skewers from the skewers and store the chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Reheat in a 350 F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through or rewarm in the microwave.

Make it Your Own
- Change up the Flavors- You can give these skewers all sorts of flavors by using different seasonings, herbs and sauces. Here are a few ideas you can try:
- Cilantro Lime- use lime juice in place of lemon and use 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro in place of the oregano.
- Soy Ginger- omit the lemon juice and oregano then add 2 tablespoons of tamari, soy sauce or coconut aminos plus 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh ginger (or 1 teaspoon ground).
- Add Vegetables- If you enjoy meat + veggie kebabs, you can thread large chopped raw vegetables between the pieces of chicken. Some great options are:
- Bell pepper
- Zucchini
- Onion
- Grill Them- If you don't need a recipe that is oven baked, you can cook these on the grill instead. Preheat the grill to medium-high (about 450 F) and then add the skewers. Cook for 6 minutes then flip. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 F.
Serving Ideas
- Potatoes: Enjoy these with a side of roasted, mashed potatoes or even fries.
- Rice: This Lemon Herb Rice pairs wonderfully with the flavor of the chicken.
- Pasta: Such as Sautéed Spinach Pasta or Cherry Tomato Pasta.
- In a wrap: Add the skewers to a tortilla with your favorite toppings for a pack-able meal.
- Pita (souvlaki style): Add the skewers to a pita along with lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, parsley and tzatziki sauce for a delicious Greek-inspired meal. This is my favorite!
- Vegetables: Roasted Asparagus and Carrots or Sautéed Frozen Green Beans are both tasty.
- Salad: Add the chicken skewers on top or serve alongside a Santa Fe Salad (I recommend using the cilantro lime version in "make it your own") or Mediterranean salad.

Yes, in order to prevent the skewers from burning, it is essential to soak them in water for a minimum of 30 minutes (I recommend 45-60 minutes).
Tips for the Best Oven Baked Chicken Skewers
- Use metal skewers (or soaked wooden skewers). I recommend metal skewers as they are reusable and do not need to be soaked. If you do use wooden skewers, you must soak them for a minimum of 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Marinate. Marinating the chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes helps to ensure juicy, flavorful chicken.
- Use an instant-read thermometer. To ensure the chicken is cooked but doesn't end up dried out, use an instant-read thermometer and remove from the oven when the internal temperature is 165°F.
- Make clean up easy. Line your baking sheet with a silicone liner to make clean up easy and to ensure the chicken doesn't get stuck down.
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Recipe Card

Oven Baked Chicken Skewers
Equipment
- 4-6 skewers metal or wooden (be sure to soak)
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- If using wooden skewers, place them in a dish and cover with water. Allow to soak for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- Mix together the oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Cut the chicken into 1 inch cubes and place in a large glass bowl. Pour the marinade mixture over top and stir to ensure all of the chicken is coated.
- Cover with a lid and place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 1 day.
- Preheat the oven to 450 °F. Line a large baking sheet with a silicone liner or parchment paper.
- Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and thread the cubes onto the skewers then place onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-18 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F. Remove from the oven.
- Enjoy! (But be careful as the skewer sticks will be hot).
Marie says
I couldn’t decide what to make for supper tonight so when I saw this new recipe, I decided to give it a try. They were deliciously seasoned and so juicy!
Janessa says
I'm so glad you liked this recipe, Janessa! Thank you for your kind review.