Grilled Citrus Chicken Kabobs are guaranteed to bring some sizzle to your grill this season. Serve as an appetizer or make it the star of the meal.
Welcome back grill season! Oh, how I missed you. Today, I am sharing one of my favorite grilled chicken recipes. The chicken is moist, tender and flavorful. The citrus isn’t overpowering but adds a touch of sweetness and having it sit in the marinade all day just adds to the juiciness.
These kabobs could serve as an appetizer or be the star of the meal, serving as the main course. Whichever way you go, as a starter or as a meal, you, your family and guest will love it.
Share this at your next party, barbecue or a family meal – as it will be a spring and summer hit.
Enjoy! XOXO San
How do you make Grilled Citrus Chicken Kabobs?
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Zest the lime and the orange. Set aside the lime and the orange, later for use.
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In a medium mixing bowl, add the lime and orange zest, garlic, ground thyme, salt, pepper, oil and Squirt soda. Mix until well combined. Cut orange and lime in half, squeeze and add juices to the marinade, stir until mixed.
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Add chicken, make sure the chicken is completely covered with the marinade. Cover the bowl and place in the fridge for at least an hour. I usually mix this up in the morning before the kids go to school and let it sit all day. You can also pour this all into a Ziplock bag (this is what I do) to store in the fridge.
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If you are using metal skewers skip this part, if you are using wood skewers follow the directions below. I know there is a debate whether or not to soak your skewers and to each their own. But I soak mine, I have found that I get fewer wood pieces in the chicken and they don’t go up in flames.
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I completely soak my skewers for 30 minutes, sometimes accidentally longer. Make sure the entire stick is completely dredged in water. Once they have soaked, remove and start to assemble the skewers.
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Take the chicken and one piece at a time, lace them through the skewer starting at the larger end of the chicken. You can also just slide the entire tender on the skewer if you’d like. Once completed drizzle extra marinade over the chicken, and let it sit while grill is heating up.
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Place chicken on heated grill over medium heat. Cover grill and cook 3 minutes, then turn over the kabob and cook another 3 minutes. At this point check the chicken. To know if the chicken is done the juices should be clear and the center of thickest part is cut (170°F). If not done, continue to cook, at this point, I leave the lid open and just turn the kabobs so they are cooked evenly on both sides. My chicken takes about 8-10 minutes.
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Remove from grill and serve immediately, or cover with foil and serve later.
Love grilling chicken kabobs? Try Southwestern Barbecue Chicken Kabobs, Maple Barbecue Chicken Kabobs, and Balsamic Mustard Chicken Kabobs.
Don’t forget to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board to save for later!
Grilled Citrus Chicken Kabobs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken tenders
- 1 large orange
- 1 lime
- 1 cup Squirt any type of lemon/lime drink will work
- 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- white pepper to taste
- ¼ cup canola or vegetable oil
Instructions
Marinade
- Zest the lime and the orange. Set aside the lime and the orange, later for use.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the lime and orange zest, garlic, ground thyme, salt, pepper, oil and Squirt soda. Mix until well combined. Cut orange and lime in half, squeeze and add juices to the marinade, stir until mixed.
- Add chicken, make sure the chicken is completely covered with the marinade. Cover the bowl and place in the fridge for at least an hour. I usually mix this up in the morning before the kids go to school and let it sit all day. You can also pour this all into a Ziplock bag (this is what I do) to store in the fridge.
- If you are using metal skewers skip this part, if you are using wood skewers follow the directions below. I know there is a debate whether or not to soak your skewers and to each their own. But I soak mine, I have found that I get less wood pieces in the chicken and they don’t go up in flames.
- I completely soak my skewers for 30 minutes, sometimes accidentally longer. Make sure the entire stick is completely dredge in water. Once they have soaked, remove and start to assemble the skewers.
Kabobs
- Take the chicken and one piece at a time, lace them through the skewer starting at the larger end of the chicken. You can also just slide the entire tender on the skewer if you’d like. Once completed drizzle extra marinade over the chicken, and let it sit while grill is heating up.
- Place chicken on heated grill over medium heat. Cover grill and cook 3 minutes, then turn over the kabob and cook another 3 minutes. At this point check the chicken. To know if the chicken is done the juices should be clear and the center of thickest part is cut (170°F). If not done, continue to cook, at this point I leave the lid open and just turn the kabobs so they are cooked evenly on both sides. My chicken takes about 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from grill and serve immediately, or cover with foil and serve later.
Notes
Man that looks and sounds amazing! I love to grill when it gets nice out, so I will for sure have to try this out!!
It’s Memorial Day, with good weather, this recipe might just be the time. Enjoy! XO San
This recipe is awesome! It’s definitely worth printing and keeping in your recipe box.
Great, I hope this summer is a perfect time to try it. XO San
Those sounds amazing! Chicken is the one meat that everyone in house agrees on that they like.
Then I hope this dish is a hit. XO San
OH MY WORD these look absolutely amazing. We’re planning to grill out this weekend for Memorial Day and we’ll definitely be adding these to our menu!
This is a perfect time to try out this dish. I hope your weather is looking bright. XO San
Chicken and citrus goes so good together, this would be a winner of a recipe!!
Thanks! A winner for BBQs. XO San
Citrus goes really well with chicken. This sounds nice and healthy, yummy too!
It is a great refreshing dish. Enjoy XO San
Those look fabulous! I love kabobs and grilling outdoors so the house doesn’t heat up in the summertime.
Grill is the best and kabobs make it easy! Can’t wait for you to try them out! xo San
Yum, these look delicious! We like to host parties and grill out all the time in the summer–these will be great!
Perfect dish for all your summer fun! xo San
Chicken in citrus is one of my favorite flavor combos- I am for sure trying this. Thank you!!!
It is so good! Can’t wait for you to try this recipe out for yourself! xo San
Those look oh-so delicious! We actually were just able to grill out for the first time the other day (chicken of course) and it was heavenly after not having done it for so long 🙂
I am so happy for you! Kabobs are so good, and easy! xo San
Oh that looks delicious! I really love grilled chicken.
My husband and son love grilling season. We will have to try this recipe for a change up.
Love this recipe… soo simple and looks delicious…this will be a hit at our BBQ party this weekend
These are very appealing! I have never made chicken kabobs but I surely do want to try them now!
Wow, how delicious this looks! We have been grilling a lot already. Going to try this for sure!
This looks so tasty! I love the addition of orange, the chicken looks so pretty! I can’t wait to get our BBQ started!
This looks so delicious. I need to use my grill more often especially when there are things like this to make.
The dish must have been a hit. It look great.
They really look refreshing with the citrus twist. I sure want to try these!
These look and sound delicious! Chicken kabobs are a favorite at our house, so I definitely need to give this recipe a try!
such a great quick meal idea, Sandra!
I love quick! Lol. Can’t wait for you to try them! xo San
These look really yummy! We make kabobs about once a week, I will have to try this one!
Can’t wait for you to make these! xo San
Oh these look very delicious!! Thank you for sharing your recipe!
You’re welcome! I can’t wait for you to make these! xo San
Mmm, this looks amazing. I’m actually making kebobs today. I should try this!
I am excited for you to make these kebabs! xo San
yummy! Those looks so tasty, as son as hubby puts his new BBQ together we will have t try these
I can’t wait for you to try this recipe out on your new grill! xo San
Your food always looks so mouth-wateringly good! :0) Welcome to this week’s Link Party, co-host! 🙂
Thank you! xo San
Stopping by from Let’s Get Real to pin your Grilled Citrus Chicken Kabobs. They look perfect for a light and healthy summer BBQ. Thanks for sharing!
This meal looks great! I am pinning for later.
Yum. Theses look amazing. I can not wait to get back on the grill
These look UTTERLY JUICY !! Perfection 🙂 MMmmm!
Hi Sandra! Thanks so much for co-hosting Let’s Get Real with us today. This recipe sounds really delicious. I love citrus flavors and everything just tastes better when it is grilled. I’m happy that the grilling season is finally here.
YUMMMM!!!! I’ve already pinned for later!
Stacy
http://www.anygirlcandoit.com
This looks delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe with Great Idea Thursdays. I’m Featuring thin in a ‘Great Ideas for Grilling’ roundup.
YUM!!! I’d love for you to share this at my Saturday Dishes Link Party this weekend! It’s a themed link up & this week’s theme is Memorial Day & Grilling! Feel free to share other old or new posts that fit the theme as well if you have them! (:
http://lifeisfantasmic.blogspot.com/2014/05/saturday-dishes-memorial-day-grilling.html
Thanks! xo San
Yummy, citrus and chicken, what a great combo, will have to try this as my family loves kabobs. Pinning for later, thanks for sharing on Treasure Box Tuesday. Rachel
Thanks so much for sharing with Let’s Get Real. Pinning to our group board.
This sounds like an AMAZING summer grilling recipe!! We will definitely be trying it out. Pinned for future reference. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂 Visiting from the Wonderful Wednesdays Blog Hop 🙂
Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
Thanks girl for pinning! xo San
These look so delicious. I love citrus flavored chicken! I’d be thrilled if you’d link up at this week’s Off the Hook!
Could you make these the night before and marinate overnight and grill the next afternoon? So they would be marinating for 14 to 16 hours. Or do you think that’s too long to sit in the marinade? Also have you ever tried baking them in the oven instead of barbecuing them?
That shouldn’t be too long at all! I just wouldn’t go over a full day. We haven’t made them in the oven before but it should work fine, just won’t give that nice charred look/taste like pictured.