Add some zest to your next summer cookout with these lip-smackingly good Lemon and Oregano Chicken Skewers. If you don't have a grill, or you are too scared to operate it (raises hand), you can also pop them under the broiler and they will be just as amazing, if not a little less charred.
Picture yourself sitting in the backyard, feet up, wine in hand and the hubby cooking away on the grill while you actually get to just sit there and relax. I did this for reals this past weekend! Yup, I enjoyed a glass of wine all by myself while the hubby cooked and the kids raced their scooters up and down the path. Pure bliss.
Eating outside is definitely in the top three of my list of favorite things about the spring and summer months. Everyone is just so much happier and chilled when the sun is out, the food is fresh and light, and the dog is there to clean up the mess on the ground afterward.
Lemon and Oregano Chicken Skewers can be prepped in advance. In fact, they actually benefit from a couple of hours marinating in the oregano mixture, so prepping in advance is a huge plus. The flavor combo has a very Mediterranean-Esque feel about it, and definitely pairs well with the sun and a nice glass of something cold; I for one am going with a nice white wine, but you do you.
Sprinkle with a generous amount of feta and serve alongside a nice light salad and you have the perfect meal for a chilled summer night. If you don't have a grill, or you don't like to use the grill (we only grill if hubby is home, that thing scares me), then just pop them under the broiler inside, and they will be just as great. You won't get that nice charring, but you won't mind because of the flavor explosion you have going on in your mouth!
Need some salads to go with that BBQ? Check these out:
If you try out my lemon and oregano chicken skewers then be sure to pop back and leave a comment letting me know how you went, I always love to hear from you. Happy eating.
Recipe
Lemon and Oregano Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh oregano, tightly packed
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- ½ cup raw almonds
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- extra olive oil as needed
- crumbled feta and chili flakes to serve
Instructions
- Add oregano, parmesan, garlic, almonds and salt and pepper to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the mixture is slightly combined.
- With the processor still running, slowly stream in the olive oil until the mixture becomes smooth.
- Add in the lemon juice and combine.
- Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces (about 1 inch long) and throw into a large gallon sized ziplock bag. Add in the lemon and pesto mixture and as much olive oil as needed to make the pesto 'spreadable'. I used about an extra 1 tbsp.
- Massage the pesto into the chicken until well coated. Pop the ziplock bag containing the chicken into the fridge and allow to marinate for at least an hour, up to overnight.
- Remove the chicken from the bag and thread onto skewers (if you are using wooden skewers remember to soak them in water for about 30 mins before using).
- Cook on a preheated grill at 450F for about 4 mins on each side. Alternatively, pop them under a broiler at high heat and cook for 4 mins each side. Sprinkle with some crumbled feta and chilli flakes. Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Emily J says
I found this recipe because I was looking for a way to use all the fresh oregano taking over my herb garden — and I'm so glad I did! Delicious! Thank you sharing, Donna!
Donna says
So glad you enjoyed Emily 🙂
Sophia Hardy says
Delicious! Love using alternative pestos and this one doesn't disappoint as a marinade. Great recipe.
Donna says
Glad you enjoyed Sophia!
Amanda says
I absolutely love the flavors in these chicken skewers! We got a new grill this year, so I've been grilling everything and this will be up next. Such a great touch to add crumbled Feta before serving, too. YUM!
Donna1 says
Oh the feta is everything, it just enhances the other flavors so so much.
Michele says
I saw these on Friday and had them at our bbq on Sunday! They were fabulous! Easy to marinate all day, paired with a glass of chilled prossecco.... it was a beautiful Sunday Dinner!
Donna1 says
That sounds like the perfect Sunday afternoon Michele! I am so glad you enjoyed 🙂
peter @Feed Your Soul Too says
I really like the spice and the lemongrass used. You got a great color on your skewers.
Donna1 says
The color turned out great, I was afraid they were going to the 'too' green and scare the kids off, but they were just right 🙂
Christine says
Love all the fresh Mediterranean-style flavor in this recipe!
Donna1 says
Thanks Christine 🙂
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
I am so happy grilling season is here. Now if we could get more than 1 day at at time without rain that would help. These skewers look like the perfect BBQ party food....easy to make and easy to eat.
Donna1 says
Oh my goodness I will trade you, we don't get rain for like 6 months at this time of the year and I miss it so much (especially with every day being 100+)
Art from My Table says
Letting someone else cook dinner is the best kind of dinner there is! The flavor combo of Lemon & Oregano sounds so good!
Donna1 says
It is!!! I don't mind prepping, but someone else cooking is just lovely 🙂
Marjoy @ Dinner-Mom says
I'm always looking for delish flavor combos for the grill. Oregano and lemon is next on my list to try! Yum!
Donna1 says
It is such a nice combination, so fresh and summery!
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
I'm scared of my grill too! I do all the prep work, and the hubs grills. I'm convinced I'll walk away with 3rd degree burns if I try to do it myself lol. These look so great.. especially since I wouldn't have to cook them bwahaha
Donna1 says
Haha you sound just like me. Luckily the hubby loves grilling as long as I have done all the prep work 🙂
Kristen Chidsey says
Served up with feta--this is perfect chicken dinner.
Donna1 says
Feta is everything!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
Yummy. I want to make these. I don't have a grill so I'll make them in my oven but I bet they will become my new favorite!! (I'm scared of grills too!) 😉 These chicken skewers look so fabulous!!
Donna1 says
They work perfectly in the oven, trust me thats the only way we ever have skewers unless the hubby is cooking 🙂