Grill or Oven: Irresistible Chicken Kabobs with Lemon Basil Garlic Butter

These Chicken Kabobs with Lemon Basil Garlic Butter Sauce are the perfect summer meal! I think you’ll love them so much, though, that I’ve included directions on how to cook them on your outdoor grill, on the stovetop with a grill pan, or bake them in the oven so you can enjoy them all year long.

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This recipe perfectly exemplifies how super simple ingredients can deliver incredible taste.  The combination of tangy lemon, fresh basil, and savory garlic creates a symphony of flavors that perfectly complements the grilled chicken.

Adding the marinade after cooking the kabobs is a trick I picked up in the now-discontinued Martha Stewart Living magazine. The hot-off-the-grill chicken and veggies soak up the buttery marinade, and the leftover puddles on the platter are perfect for running chunks of crusty bread through.

Ingredients For Chicken Kebabs

  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into one-inch cubes
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into one-inch pieces
  • 1 green or yellow bell pepper, cut into one-inch pieces
  • 1 red onion, cut into one-inch wedges
  • Metal skewers or bamboo skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before grilling)

Ingredients for Lemon Basil Garlic Butter Sauce

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
Overhead view of oven baked chicken skewers in a butter sauce with a rice and veggie dish to the side.

Instructions for Grilling Chicken Kabobs

Begin by preheating your outdoor grill to medium-high heat.

While the grill is heating, thread the chicken pieces, bell peppers, and red onions onto the skewers, alternating between the ingredients. When done, season the kabobs with salt and pepper.

Lightly grease the grill grates with olive oil or cooking spray.  

Next, place the chicken kabobs on the and cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are slightly charred.

While the kabobs are grilling, combine the melted butter, lemon juice, garlic, and basil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

When the kabobs are done grilling, transfer them to a serving platter.

Drizzle the Lemon Basil Garlic Butter sauce generously over the hot chicken kabobs, allowing the chicken to soak in the marinade ingredients.

How to Cook Chicken Shish Kabob On a Grill Pan

Start by preheating your grill pan over medium-high heat on your stovetop.

Next, thread the chicken, bell peppers, and red onion onto the skewers, alternating between the ingredients.  When done, season with salt and pepper.

Spray the pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking, and place the kabobs on the grill pan.  Cook for about 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are slightly charred.

While the kababs are cooking, prepare the chicken kabob marinade according to the directions above.

When the chicken kabobs are cooked, remove them from the grill pan and place them on a serving platter.

Drizzle the Lemon Basil Garlic Butter sauce generously over the hot chicken kabobs, allowing the flavors to meld together.

chicken kabobs in a butter sauce with a rice dish in the background

Oven-Baked Chicken Skewers Instructions

Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F. 

While the oven is heating, thread the chicken and colorful vegetables on the skewers and season with salt and pepper.  Place the kabobs on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil in a single layer.

Bake the chicken kabobs for about 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through for even browning, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.

While the kabobs are baking, prepare the chicken marinade.

When the baked chicken kabobs are done, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a serving platter.

Finish by drizzling the Lemon Basil Garlic Butter sauce over the hot chicken kabob.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

What Can You Serve With This Chicken Kabobs Recipe?

chunks of grilled chiken over rice and veggies
  • Herbed Rice – Serve these flavorful kabobs over a bed of herb-infused rice, such as cilantro-lime or parsley-lemon rice, for a delightful combination of flavors.
  • Grilled Vegetables – Pair this delicious recipe with a side of grilled seasonal vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant, or cherry tomatoes. The smoky, charred flavors will complement the dish beautifully.
  • Salad – Whip up a healthy salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and crumbled feta cheese. Finish it off with a light drizzle of your favorite vinaigrette.
  • Pita Bread – Serve this flavorful meal with warm pita bread or flatbread to create delicious wraps. Add some tzatziki sauce, sliced cucumbers, and fresh herbs for an extra burst of flavor.
  • Crusty Loaf of Bread – Chunks of good, fresh bread pair perfectly with this simple family favorite meal.  Plus, it’s a great way to soak up the extra buttery marinade on your plate. 

Whether you decide to grill these chicken kabobs outdoors, cook them in a grill pan, or bake them in the oven, the result is a delicious dish that will impress your family and friends.

More Easy Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

overhead view of lemon basil garlic butter chicken kabobs on skewers

Irresistible Chicken Kabobs with Lemon Basil Garlic Butter Sauce

Print Recipe
These Chicken Kabobs with Lemon Basil Garlic Butter Sauce are the perfect summer meal! I think you'll love them so much, though, that I've included directions on how to cook them on your outdoor grill, on the stovetop with a grill pan, or bake them in the oven so you can enjoy them all year long.
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:12 minutes

Ingredients

Ingredients For Chicken Kebabs With Lemon Basil Garlic Butter Sauce

  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into one-inch cubes
  • 1 red bell pepper cut into one-inch pieces
  • 1 green or yellow bell pepper cut into one-inch pieces
  • 1 red onion cut into one-inch wedges
  • Metal skewers or bamboo skewers if using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before grilling

Ingredients for Lemon Basil Garlic Butter Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves finely chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Instructions for Grilling Chicken Kabobs

  • Begin by preheating your outdoor grill to medium-high heat.
  • While the grill is heating, thread the chicken pieces, bell peppers, and red onions onto the skewers, alternating between the ingredients. When done, season the kabobs with salt and pepper.
  • Lightly grease the grill grates with olive oil or cooking spray.
  • Next, place the chicken kabobs on the and cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are slightly charred.
  • While the kabobs are grilling, combine the melted butter, lemon juice, garlic, and basil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • When the kabobs are done grilling, transfer them to a serving platter.
  • Drizzle the Lemon Basil Garlic Butter sauce generously over the hot chicken kabobs, allowing the chicken to soak in the marinade ingredients.

How to Cook Chicken Shish Kabob On a Grill Pan

  • Start by preheating your grill pan over medium-high heat on your stovetop.
  • Next, thread the chicken, bell peppers, and red onion onto the skewers, alternating between the ingredients. When done, season with salt and pepper.
  • Spray the pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking, and place the kabobs on the grill pan. Cook for about 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are slightly charred.
  • While the kababs are cooking, prepare the chicken kabob marinade according to the directions above.
  • When the chicken kabobs are cooked, remove them from the grill pan and place them on a serving platter.
  • Drizzle the Lemon Basil Garlic Butter sauce generously over the hot chicken kabobs, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Oven-Baked Chicken Skewers Instructions

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F.
  • While the oven is heating, thread the chicken and colorful vegetables on the skewers and season with salt and pepper. Place the kabobs on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil in a single layer.
  • Bake the oven chicken kabobs for about 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through for even browning, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
  • While the kabobs are baking, prepare the chicken marinade.
  • When the baked chicken kabobs are done, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a serving platter.
  • Finish by drizzling the Lemon Basil Garlic Butter sauce over the hot chicken kabob.

Notes

Serving Suggestions

  • Herbed Rice – Serve these flavorful kabobs over a bed of herb-infused rice, such as cilantro-lime or parsley-lemon rice, for a delightful combination of flavors.
  • Grilled Vegetables – Pair this delicious recipe with a side of grilled seasonal vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant, or cherry tomatoes. The smoky, charred flavors will complement the dish beautifully.
  • Salad – Whip up a healthy salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and crumbled feta cheese. Finish it off with a light drizzle of your favorite vinaigrette.
  • Pita Bread – Serve this flavorful meal with warm pita bread or flatbread to create delicious wraps. Add some tzatziki sauce, sliced cucumbers, and fresh herbs for an extra burst of flavor.
  • Crusty Loaf of Bread – Chunks of good, fresh bread pair perfectly with this simple family favorite meal.  Plus, it’s a great way to soak up the extra buttery marinade on your plate. 
Course: Dinner
Servings: 4
Author: Snug and Cozy Life

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