These chicken skewers are marinated in a tangy balsamic marinade with garlic and Dijon, then grilled until juicy and tender. A simple, flavorful recipe for BBQs or entertaining!

A plate of chicken skewers garnished with parsley.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.

Grilled Balsamic Chicken Skewers

These grilled chicken skewers are quickly becoming a summer staple at my house! They are quick to prep, easy to grill, and always a hit at cookouts. This version uses a tangy balsamic marinade which keeps the chicken juicy and flavorful with just a few simple ingredients.

They’re perfect for casual entertaining or weeknight dinners and pair well with a variety of sides like my vegetables skewers! You can even try the same balsamic base from my homemade balsamic vinaigrette or switch it up with these chicken kabobs for variety.

Ingredients Notes

Cubed chicken breast, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and Dijon mustard.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

All you need is chicken breast and a few pantry staples like balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. The marinade comes together in minutes and adds incredible flavor to every bite.

How to Make Chicken Skewers

Add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper to a zip-top bag or bowl and mix it up.

Toss in the cubed chicken, seal the bag or cover bowl, and marinate in the fridge for at least an hour to soak up all that flavor.

Balsamic marinade for chicken skewers.
Cubed chicken breast in a ziploc bag with marinade.

After marinating, thread chicken unto skewers. If you’re using wooden skewers, make sure you’ve soaked them in water for about 30 minutes so they don’t burn on the grill.

Raw chicken skewers in a pan.
Chicken skewers on the grill.

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates so nothing sticks. Grill the skewers for about 15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes or so, until the chicken is cooked through and has nice char marks. Rest for a few minutes then serve.

Chicken skewers on a white plate.

Recipe Tips

  • Marinate for max flavor. You only need about an hour, but you can marinate the chicken up to 12 hours or overnight if you’re prepping these ahead of time.
  • Skewer count may vary. You might get 5 to 6 skewers depending on the size of your chicken chunks and the skewers you’re using. For fuller-looking skewers, use shorter sticks or cut the chicken into smaller pieces.
  • Cut evenly for even cooking. Try to keep your chicken pieces roughly the same size so they cook evenly on the grill.
  • Don’t overcook. Grill until the chicken is golden and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer.
Chicken skewers on a plate.

More ways to enjoy food on skewers include these caprese kabobs or grilled fruit kabobs!

More Grilling Recipes

See all
See all
A plate of chicken skewers garnished with parsley.

Chicken Skewers

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Marinate Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 6
These chicken skewers are marinated in a tangy balsamic marinade with garlic and Dijon, then grilled until juicy and tender. A simple, flavorful recipe for BBQs or entertaining!
Print Pin This! Rate

Video

Equipment

  • 6 Skewers, , if wooden, soaked in water for about 30 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 ½ pounds chicken breasts , cubed
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Make marinade: In a large zip top bag, combine 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and 1.2 teaspoon pepper. Close top and give it a little shake to mix.
  • Marinate: Add 1 1/2 pounds cubed chicken and close top. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Skewer chicken: Put chicken on 6 skewers.
  • Grill: Preheat grill to medium high heat and make sure your grill grates are oiled. Grill for about 15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes. Cooking time will vary based on the size of your chicken chunks, but the internal temperature of the chicken should read 165°F.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 221kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 73mg, Sodium: 540mg, Potassium: 440mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 36IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Variations

  • Bake instead of grill. If the weather is not cooperating, oven bake the skewers on a foil-lined sheet at 425°F for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked.
  • Add-ins. Stir in 1 tablespoon of honey for a touch of sweetness, add some lemon zest for brightness or include 1 teaspoon of dried basil or Italian seasoning to boost the herby flavor.
  • Add veggies. Thread in bell peppers, zucchini, onions, or mushrooms to make them more like chicken kebabs.
  • Drizzle with balsamic glaze. For a final burst of flavor, drizzle with homemade balsamic glaze just before serving.

Recipe FAQs

Can I freeze chicken skewers?

Yes! Freeze the uncooked, marinated chicken in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before threading onto skewers and grilling. You can also freeze cooked chicken pieces, just remove them from the skewers first then store in a freeze safe bag. Thaw and enjoy.

How to serve them?

These grilled chicken skewers go great with rice, grilled veggies, pasta salad, or even in a pita wrap. They’re also perfect for entertaining just serve them right off the grill or add to a platter and garnish with fresh parsley.