Summer grilling season is in full swing! What better way to celebrate than with these Grilled Pesto Chicken Kabobs? They're fresh, vibrant, and ridiculously easy to throw together. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner idea.
These super easy, family-friendly Pesto Chicken Skewers are the perfect meal for summer! Summer is my favorite season by far! I love the warm weather and do not enjoy being cold at all! When someone says beach, I light up like a Christmas tree.
Summer is grilling season at the Schneider house! We grill all year long, believe it or not. When it comes to summertime, though, our grill is basically on every night of the week! That is why this quick summer kabob recipe is perfect for our families and yours!
Looking for more healthy summer recipes? You must try my Air Fryer Turkey Burgers with/ my insanely delicious Protein Burger Sauce!
Table of contents
Ingredients to make these chicken skewers
The ingredient list is minimal for these healthy kabobs. The only ingredients you need are the following.
- Cherry tomatoes - using cherry tomatoes for your kabobs helps add dimension to your skewers, especially when grilled. The natural sugars in the tomatoes carmelize, complementing the pesto chicken.
- zucchinis - cut into slices and then halved. I like leaving the skin on to help the veggie hold its shape during the grilling process.
- chicken breasts - boneless, skinless, and fat trimmed off, cut into 1-inch cubes.
- pesto - either store-bought or homemade. If you've never had pesto before, it is made of fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
You will also need skewers to thread the ingredients. Here are some reusable skewers or you can buy the wooden ones that you toss after using. Kabob Skewers Flat Metal BBQ Skewers!
How to make easy chicken kabobs
Step 1 - In a large resealable bag, combine chicken and ¾ cup pesto. Place in the fridge and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2 - Slice the zucchini up however you prefer. When the chicken is done, remove it from the fridge and set it up next to the sliced zucchini and tomatoes to make for an easy assembly. Thread the cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and then chicken onto the skewers. Repeat until skewer is filled!
Step 3 - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Add kebabs to the grill, cook gently, turning halfway through for about 10-12 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
Step 4 - Remove from the grill and season with salt and pepper to taste. Finally, brush on additional pesto, if desired, and serve immediately!
Substitutions and Variations
Zucchini - you can also use yellow squash in place of the zucchini or in addition to.
Dairy-Free - make your pesto at home and swap out the Parmesan cheese for nutritional yeast.
No-Grill? - broil in the oven on a lined sheet pan for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
Tips and FAQ's
No, you don't need to peel the zucchini before grilling it. The skin is thin and edible. It also helps the zucchini hold its shape and adds a bit of texture and flavor.
Soak them in water for about 30 minutes before using. This way, they won't burn when you're grilling with them.
Add a squeeze of lemon over your kabobs just before serving.
I would recommend removing from the skewers and placing in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
More easy summer recipes you will also LOVE
If you give this dish a try don't forget to rate the recipe below! Always love hearing what you all think. You can also Stay in touch with me through social media on @Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my healthy recipes!
Grilled Pesto Chicken Kabobs
Equipment
- skewers
- grill
- cutting board
- paring knife
Ingredients
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 2 zucchini cut into quarters or halves - leave the skin on to help the zucchini hold its shape.
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into cubes
- 1 cup pre-made pesto sauce store bought or homemade
- salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1 - In a large resealable bag, combine chicken and ¾ cup pesto. Place in the fridge and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 2 - Slice the zucchini up however you prefer. When the chicken is done, remove it from the fridge and set it up next to the sliced zucchini and tomatoes to make for an easy assembly. Thread the cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and then chicken onto the skewers. Repeat until skewer is filled!
- To assemble, thread chicken, tomato, and zucchini down the skewer until it is filled. Repeat until all skewers are filled.
- Pre-heat grill to medium-high heat. Add kabobs to grill cooking for 10 minutes. Turn over and grill for 5 more. Remove from grill and add more pesto if desired and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Notes
- Thread the veggies and chicken onto the skewers.
- Paint with pesto using a small brush.
Nutrition
Jillian is the creator of Jillian's Healthful Eats. She is the one who cooks all the meals, develops all the recipes, takes all the photographs, and washes all the dishes! She is a very busy wife and mother of 4 who enjoys cooking with her children and instilling in them her love for health and nutrition!
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