Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers: Ultimate 5 Juicy Wins

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Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers are my weeknight answer when I want grill flavor fast and chicken that stays juicy. In this guide, you’ll learn why Greek yogurt works as a marinade, how to build the right spice mix, and how long to marinate for the best texture. Then you’ll cook Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers on a grill, broiler, air fryer, or stovetop with simple timing and temperature cues. Along the way, I’ll share make-ahead tips, easy sides, and a yogurt sauce you can whisk in minutes.

Table of Contents

Greek yogurt chicken skewers that feel like home

A quick story from Marrakesh to San Diego

My name is Samiya El Khoury. I was born in Marrakesh, Morocco, and now I live in San Diego, California. Food has always been my love language, and I still hear my grandmother’s voice when I season chicken: “Start with heart, then add spice.” Back home, she tenderized meat with what she had—sometimes lemon, sometimes onions, sometimes thick cultured milk. Years later, I tried Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers after a long beach day when I wanted something bold but easy.

The yogurt clung to the chicken, the garlic hit first, and the cumin stayed on the finish. Since then, I make Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers for family dinners, and I also slice leftovers into a crisp shawarma salad when I want a cool, creamy contrast.

The simple game plan for Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers

You don’t need fancy tools to nail Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers. You need a balanced marinade, a hot cooking surface, and a short rest before serving. I like chicken thighs for tenderness, but breasts work if you cut evenly and don’t overcook. If you meal prep, you can pair Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers with rice, cucumbers, and tomatoes like my meal prep bowls and feel set for the week.

Here’s what you’ll do:

Mix the Greek yogurt marinade with spices and lemon
Coat chicken pieces and chill
Thread, cook hot and fast, then rest
Serve with a quick yogurt sauce and bright sides

Step	Why it matters
Cut evenly	Even pieces cook at the same pace, so the centers stay juicy.
Marinate cold	Cold time builds flavor while keeping food safe.
Cook hot	High heat browns the yogurt coating and helps lock in moisture.

Greek yogurt chicken kebab marinade basics

What marinating chicken in Greek yogurt does

Greek yogurt brings lactic acid and calcium that soften the surface of the chicken while keeping the inside bouncy and tender. Unlike harsh acidic marinades that can tighten meat, Greek yogurt stays gentle and gives Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers a creamy coating that browns into a savory crust.

The best flavor balance: yogurt, acid, oil, and spices

For Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers, I build a marinade with four pillars:

Greek yogurt for tang and cling
Lemon juice or red wine vinegar for brightness
Olive oil for browning and a smoother bite
Spices and aromatics for depth

Use this spice base, then adjust:

Garlic (fresh or grated)
Dried oregano
Ground cumin
Smoked paprika
Black pepper
Salt

If you want gentle heat, add crushed red pepper. If you want a warmer note, add a pinch of cinnamon, which nods to my Moroccan roots without stealing the spotlight. When you crave another skewer mood, check my bang bang skewers for a sweet-spicy change-up, or keep things bright with my lemon herb sheet pan style flavors.

How to marinate chicken with Greek yogurt and spices

Step-by-step marinating method

Follow these steps and you’ll get Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers that cook evenly and stay moist.

Ingredients for Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers — Simple pantry spices plus Greek yogurt and lemon

Ingredients (serves 4)

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
1 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or whole)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, grated
2 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Optional: 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

Instructions

Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces.
Whisk yogurt, oil, lemon, garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Toss chicken in the marinade until fully coated.
Cover and refrigerate.
Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes, or use metal skewers.
Thread chicken snugly, leaving tiny gaps for heat.

If you like a full Mediterranean plate, serve Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers with a quick chickpea skillet like my chickpea chicken or borrow spice ideas from my Peruvian chicken for a smoky twist.

How long can chicken sit in a Greek yogurt marinade?

For the best bite, marinate chicken for 2 to 12 hours. You can go up to 24 hours in the fridge, but after that the surface can turn too soft. Keep the chicken cold the whole time, and never marinate on the counter. For food-safety rules you can trust, follow the USDA marinating safety guidelines.

Cooking Greek yogurt chicken skewers for perfect char

Grill, broiler, air fryer, or stovetop

Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers cook best over high heat. Pat off big globs of marinade so you avoid scorching, but keep a thin coating for browning.

Grill

Heat grill to medium-high.
Oil grates, then grill 10–12 minutes total, turning every 2–3 minutes.

Broiler

Line a sheet pan with foil and set a rack.
Broil 8–12 minutes, turning once.

Air fryer

Cook at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway.

Stovetop grill pan

Heat pan until very hot.
Cook 10–12 minutes, turning often.

Chicken is done at 165°F in the thickest piece. You can confirm the target with this safe chicken temperature chart.

Serving, sides, and make-ahead tips

I love serving Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers with warm pita, sliced cucumbers, and a squeeze of lemon. You can also build bowls with rice, greens, and feta like my Greek chicken bowls approach, or keep it cozy with roasted veggies and a side inspired by my garlic butter chicken flavors.

Serving ideas

Tzatziki-style sauce: Greek yogurt + grated cucumber + lemon + dill
Salad: tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and olives
Starch: rice, couscous, or roasted potatoes

Make-ahead

Marinate chicken the night before
Thread skewers up to 8 hours ahead and keep chilled
Store cooked skewers 3–4 days, then reheat gently

Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers on the grill — Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers with charred edges

FAQs

How do you marinate chicken kebabs with Greek yogurt?

Mix Greek yogurt with lemon, olive oil, garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper, then coat chicken pieces and chill 2–12 hours before cooking.

What does marinating chicken in Greek yogurt do?

Greek yogurt softens the surface of the chicken, adds tang, and creates a coating that browns into a savory crust, so Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers taste juicy and deeply seasoned.

How long can chicken sit in a Greek yogurt marinade?

Marinate 2–12 hours for the best bite. You can marinate up to 24 hours in the fridge, but longer can make the surface too soft.

How to marinate chicken with Greek yogurt and spices?

Whisk yogurt with spices and aromatics, toss chicken until coated, refrigerate, then thread and cook over high heat until done.

Conclusion

Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers give you big flavor with a short ingredient list. Cut evenly, marinate in the fridge, and cook hot so you get browned edges and juicy centers. Once you learn the base method, you can switch spices, swap sides, and make the dish feel new every time. When friends drop in, I grill a double batch of Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers then stash extras for lunches that taste bright.

Samiya El Khoury