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Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

A quick and delicious weeknight dinner that combines juicy chicken with a flavorful garlic-parmesan marinade, perfect for busy families.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 57 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, see substitutions
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced or 2 teaspoons garlic paste
  • 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese or finely shredded
  • 1 unit lemon, zest of
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional, for warmth and color
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or a mix of dried oregano and basil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
  • 1 unit Wooden or metal skewers if using wooden, soak 30 minutes in water
Garlic-Butter Finish (Optional)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
  • 1 pinch salt

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Trim and chop the chicken into roughly 1–1 1/2 inch cubes.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, grated Parmesan, lemon zest and juice, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning.
  3. Add chicken to the bowl and toss well to coat. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes; up to 4 hours is ideal.
  4. If using wooden skewers, soak them now.
  5. Thread chicken pieces onto skewers, leaving space between each piece.
Cooking
  1. Preheat your grill or oven to medium-high heat (about 400°F) or preheat broiler to high.
  2. Grill the skewers for about 3–4 minutes per side, turning until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. For broiler: broil 4–5 minutes per side, watching carefully.
  4. If baking at 450°F, bake for 12–15 minutes, turning halfway.
Finishing Touch
  1. Melt butter in a small pan, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Stir in 2 tablespoons Parmesan and a pinch of salt.
  2. Brush over the hot skewers for a glossy finish.
Serving
  1. Let skewers rest for 3 minutes, then sprinkle with chopped parsley and an extra pinch of Parmesan.
  2. Serve hot.

Notes

Marinate in a zip-top bag to save dishes and enable better flavor absorption. Cut chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking and avoid crowding the grill.