Also known as Shish Kabobs or Skewers, these Chicken Kabobs with Margarita Marinade will keep you coming back for more! The marinade recipe is quick and easy and produces the most tender and juicy morsels of chicken breast you could imagine!
This recipe includes a Cilantro Lime dipping sauce which kicks it up a notch. This sauce can also be made on its own as a delicious salad dressing or served over roasted or grilled vegetables. Other dipping sauces will work as well with these chicken skewers such as my Simple Tzatziki Sauce or this Spicy Ranch Dip.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients For Chicken Kabobs
- Margarita Marinade
- Other Marinades for Chicken Kabobs
- How to Make This Chicken Kabob Recipe
- Ingredient Substitutions
- Can I bake these in the oven?
- Equipment Recommendations
- Storage and Freezing
- Pro-Tips
- Recipe FAQs
- Perfect Sides For Chicken Kabobs
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's quick and easy enough for a weeknight meal but sophisticated enough for a dinner party.
- The marinade acts as a brine that tenderizes the breast meat so it doesn't dry out. Try out another brining recipe with these Easy Grilled Pork Chops.
- The sauce does double-duty as a delicious salad dressing.
Ingredients For Chicken Kabobs
Here's what you will need to make this recipe. As you can see it only takes a few simple ingredients to whip these together! For quantities see the recipe card below.
Ingredients clockwise from top: Tequila, fresh limes, chicken breast cubes, chili flakes, honey, lime zest.
Margarita Marinade
The marinade is basically a flavored brine. A brine is a perfect balance of salt, sugar, and water (with added flavoring) which, in a nut shell, tenderizes and moistens meat by changing the structure of the protein. Brining is a great option for grilling chicken breast kabobs as it prevents the meat from drying out. This marinade also works perfectly for whole chicken breasts or thighs.
Other Marinades for Chicken Kabobs
If you aren't into Tequila or alcohol in general, try using my Teriyaki recipe or this Honey Mustard marinade. Keeping it in line with the same flavors as the Margarita recipes this Cumin Lime Dressing can also be used as a delicious marinade.
How to Make This Chicken Kabob Recipe
You are going to love how easy and quick these kabobs are to make!
- Prepare the marinade and cut the chicken into cubes. Marinate the chicken pieces for 30 to 60 minutes. Don't over-marinate or the chicken can become soggy.
2. Skewer the chicken pieces and cook on a pre-heated grill for 10 to 14 minutes, turning halfway through. Check for doneness by cutting into a piece to make sure it's no longer pink inside. Or check that the internal temperature reads 165 degrees F.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken breasts - chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts
- Tequila - for a different flavor you could use rum or gin. Or leave the alcohol out altogether and increase water by ¼ cup and salt by 1 teaspoon.
- Honey - sugar or maple syrup can be used instead
- Mayonnaise - substitute by using all yogurt
- Yogurt - use sour cream instead
Can I bake these in the oven?
Don't have a grill or it's not the right weather for it? Never fear! You can easilly bake these skewers in the oven. First, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Then line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place skewers on the tray and bake for 25-30 minutes, turning them once or twice, until no longer pink inside or a thermometer reads 165 degrees F.
Equipment Recommendations
Wooden skewers are great (don't forget to soak!) but if you like to make a lot of kebab recipes I suggest treating yourself to these Flat Metal Skewers. They aren't expensive, will last forever, and the flat shape stops your ingredients from sliding around when you try to flip them. I absolutely LOVE them!
If you are looking to invest in a quality quick read thermometer I recommend a Thermaworks Thermapen. They are the best and most accurate quick read thermometers on the market!
I was also asked recently about indoor grills. Nothing beats an outdoor grill but if I am forced indoors for my grilling my #1 choice is nothing but a good 'ole Cast Iron Grill Pan.
Storage and Freezing
Chicken kabobs will keep covered in the fridge for 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 10 minutes.
You can also freeze the skewers before cooking. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for one month. Defrost in the fridge overnight before cooking.
Pro-Tips
- Don't over-marinate the chicken. This marinade includes alcohol and lime juice which can start cooking the chicken if it is left to sit for too long. Chicken breast meat can also become soggy if over marinated. If you would like to read more about marinating meat check out this article from Carnivore Style.
- Snuggle the chicken pieces together for more even cooking and to keep the chicken tender.
Recipe FAQs
Marinating not only adds flavor but also keeps the meat tender and juicy. Kabobs cook quickly on the grill so the extra step of marinating can make all the difference.
If your chicken is cut to approximately one-inch cubes they will take 10 to 14 minutes (5 to 7 minutes per side) on a preheated medium-high heat grill. Check for doneness by cutting into a piece to see it is no longer pink inside.
If the marinade includes acidic ingredients like lemon or lime juice, don't marinate for more than one hour otherwise you risk the meat starting to cook. Otherwise, you can marinate for 30 minutes or up to overnight.
Perfect Sides For Chicken Kabobs
- Cumin and Lime Coleslaw
- Tex-Mex Black Bean Salad
- Tabbouleh Salad with Quinoa
- Summer Succotash
- The Best Grilled Vegetable Salad
Tried this recipe? I would love it if you could leave a star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and/or a comment below. You can also follow me on social media here on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
📖 Recipe
Chicken Kabob Recipe with Margarita Marinade
Ingredients
Marinade
- ¼ cup tequila
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- zest of one lime
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes (470 g/16 oz)
Cilantro Lime Yogurt Sauce
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ cup cilantro finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice ½ a lime
Optional Garnishes
- fresh lime wedges
- fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Instructions
- If using wooden skewers, submerge in cold water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent them from burning.
- In a large bowl or container whisk together all of the marinade ingredients. Add the cubed chicken making sure it is submerged in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Meanwhile make the sauce by whisking together all the ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Cover and refrigerate.
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread the pieces of chicken onto the skewers making sure they are snug up against one another. Once the grill is hot add the kabobs spacing them evenly. Grill for 5 to 7 minutes per side or until cooked through (no longer pink inside) or a thermometer reads 165 degrees F.
- Transfer skewers to a clean platter and serve warm with Cilantro Lime Yogurt sauce, fresh lime wedges, and chopped fresh cilantro.
Carolin says
Delicious light and easy recipe. The family loved it. Another winner from Andrea!
Andrea says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it Carolin! Thanks so much for the comment.
Rhondda says
Made this for dinner party tonight and it was a big hit!
Andrea says
So happy to hear everyone enjoyed it!
Marina says
Great recipe especially the yogurt sauce!!
Linda BB says
hi Andrea,
I am hoping to serve these to company but making enough for 30 people. I saw your note about not marinating too long so should I make the marinade, and immediately put it in the freezer. I assume the time it takes to defrost in the fridge overnight is ample marinating time? Or should I marinate for 30 mins and then freeze? I was thinking of barbecuing early in the day on my bbque mats and then skewer for a cleaner look, and serve at room temperature. I worry about drying the meat out with reheating. What do you think? Good plan?
Andrea says
Hi Linda! I would marinate, then freeze. I don't recommend grilling the chicken in small pieces, not skewered, as it runs the risk of drying out. Also just a food safety tip: Chicken shouldn't be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours or one hour if it's a hot day. Hope you and your guests enjoy the chicken and be sure to let me know how they turn out!
Heather says
Another hit! Had to search for the tequila but glad I found it. The yogurt sauce was so tasty with it (even teenager approved!) Served in bowls with quinoa, black beans, grilled asparagus, corn and a mix of tomato & red onions. Thanks so much.
Andrea says
Oh my goodness that sounds like a delicious bowl! So happy you enjoyed the recipe and thanks for commenting 😊
Daniela Vukobratic says
Off the charts, delicious! Try not to change a thing when you first make it, to make sure you get the real margarita experience. This is our go-to recipe this summer.
Andrea says
I'm so happy you love it just the way it is 🤗
Deb Hobby says
Andrea, these were so tasty& easy to prepare .Thanks for a awesome recipe .
Andrea says
My pleasure Deb! So happy you enjoyed the kabobs!
Marylynn says
Yummy, very fresh tasting, used sour cream in sauce rather than yogurt. Sauce was great next day for dipping fresh veggies
Andrea says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for commenting!
Linda McDonnell says
Best skewers ever....ever
Andrea says
I'm so happy you enjoyed them Linda! Thanks for your comment!
Jean says
Another fantastic recipe. I used chicken thighs (because that’s what I had in the house). So much flavor. Quick and easy.
Andrea says
Amazing! Chicken thighs are perfect too for this recipe. So happy you enjoyed it and thanks for commenting!
Susan Webber says
Absolutely fantastic recipe!
Easy and quick to make and so delicious!
The dipping sauce is to die for, and it’s delicious as a salad dressing too!!
Andrea says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it Susan! Thanks so much for your comment!
Judy says
This was fabulous!! Very easy to make and quick to cook up. I was so pleased to see this recipe as I had two chicken breasts thawing in the fridge and no plan on what I was going to do with them.
Andrea says
Now that's perfect timing! So happy you enjoyed it Judy! Thanks for commenting!