My Family’s Favorite Mediterranean Skewers Recipe (Sunshine Kabobs)

I have a little kitchen rule that has saved me so much time: if you make a great marinade, always make extra. For years, I’d just dump the whole batch over the protein, but the real magic happens when you reserve a clean portion before it touches any raw ingredients.

This grilled Mediterranean kabob recipe is the perfect example. The bright, zesty marinade—packed with garlic, oregano, and a touch of smoked paprika—does double duty. It infuses the chicken and veggies with incredible flavor on the grill, and that reserved portion becomes a vibrant, fresh drizzle at the end.

It’s a simple trick that makes the whole dish feel elevated, bright, and absolutely delicious. These “Sunshine Skewers” have become a staple for us, especially when we want a meal that feels both satisfying and full of energy.

A Complete, Colorful Meal on a Stick

What I truly love about this dish is how balanced it is. You get everything you want in one easy-to-handle skewer. It’s a fantastic way to eat a rainbow of vegetables without even thinking about it.

• Hearty Protein: We’re using boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which stay incredibly juicy on the grill. They provide wonderful, satisfying protein that helps keep you full.
• Vibrant Veggies: The combination of red onion, zucchini, yellow squash, and colorful bell peppers isn’t just for looks. They get beautifully char-grilled and tender-crisp, and they’re packed with fiber.
• The Flavor Base: The marinade is built on great fundamentals. We use extra-virgin olive oil (a great source of healthy fats) and apple cider vinegar, many of which are part of my list of 7 Pantry Staples You Need for Effortless Mediterranean Meals.

From Marinade to Grill: The Simple Steps

The process is incredibly straightforward, which is exactly what I need when dinner time rolls around.

1. Mix & Reserve: First, you’ll whisk all those wonderful marinade ingredients together. The most important step is to immediately pour off about a quarter-cup into a separate, clean bowl and stick it in the fridge. This is your “Zesty Herb Drizzle” for later.
2. Marinate: Toss the cubed chicken and all your chopped vegetables in the remaining marinade. Let this sit for at least 45 minutes to soak up all that flavor.
3. Skewer & Grill: Thread the chicken and veggies onto your skewers. Get your grill (or a heavy-duty grill pan) nice and hot, and cook them, turning every few minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the veggies have those perfect grill marks.

The final step is the best part: arrange the skewers on a platter, drizzle with that clean, reserved marinade, and sprinkle with fresh mint, cilantro, and tangy goat cheese. The contrast of the warm, smoky kabobs with the cool, fresh toppings is just fantastic.

These are amazing on their own, but if you want a perfect pairing, they are absolutely delicious served alongside my Go-To Orzo Medley with a Lemon-Herb Kiss.

A Few Notes for Perfect Skewers

Here are a couple of quick tips I’ve learned from making these again and again.

• If using wooden skewers: Don’t forget to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading. This prevents them from burning to a crisp on the grill.
• Uniform cuts are key: Try to cut your chicken and vegetables into roughly the same 1½-inch size. This is the secret to ensuring everything cooks through evenly at the same time.
• Oven-roasting: No grill? No problem. You can roast these on a foil-lined baking sheet in a 425°F (220°C) oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping once. You won’t get the char, but the flavor will still be incredible.
• Storage: Leftovers are great! Just slide the chicken and veggies off the skewers into an airtight container. They keep in the fridge for 2-3 days and are delicious cold on a salad or gently reheated.

More on This Vibrant Style of Eating

This Mediterranean skewers recipe is a perfect example of the food philosophy I embrace: focusing on whole-food ingredients, incredible flavors, and meals that leave you feeling genuinely satisfied.

If you’re interested in learning more about the “why” behind this approach, I’ve broken down some of the research-backed reasons this eating style is so popular. And if you’re looking for simple, practical next steps, I also have a guide on 5 easy ways to “Mediterraneanize” your current diet.

Sunshine Skewers with Zesty Herb Drizzle

Juicy, char-grilled chicken and colorful veggies burst with bright Mediterranean flavors. Perfect for a vibrant, satisfying meal, ready in under 1.5 hours!

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Marination 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Calories: 404

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Pantry & Marinade:

• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 6 garlic cloves finely minced
• 1 tsp fine sea salt
• ¾ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1½ tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• High-heat oil for greasing grates

Protein: ~1½ lb (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1½-inch cubes

Produce:

• 1 large red onion 1½-inch wedges
• 1 medium zucchini ¾-inch rounds
• 1 medium yellow squash ¾-inch rounds
• 1 large red bell pepper 1½-inch pieces
• 1 large orange bell pepper 1½-inch pieces

To serve:

• 2 medium lemons cut into wedges
• ½ cup crumbled goat cheese
• ¼ cup chopped fresh mint
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• ¼ cup marinade reserved clean for the final Zesty Herb Drizzle

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Small bowl
• Whisk
• Metal skewers
• Outdoor grill or a large cast-iron grill pan
• Tongs
• Cutting Board
• Chef's Knife
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Serving platter

Method

 

1. Make the marinade: Whisk oil, vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Immediately reserve ¼ cup in a clean bowl (for the drizzle) and refrigerate.
2. Marinate: Toss chicken and vegetables with the remaining marinade. Cover and chill 45–120 minutes (do not exceed 2 hours).
3. Skewer: Thread chicken and vegetables alternately. Discard any marinade that touched raw chicken.
4. Preheat: Heat grill or cast-iron grill pan to 400–450°F (205–230°C); oil grates lightly.
5. Grill: Cook 15–20 minutes, turning every 3–5 minutes, until chicken is opaque and an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F (74°C); vegetables tender-crisp with grill marks.
6. Finish & serve: Transfer to a platter, squeeze lemon over, drizzle with the reserved clean ¼ cup marinade, then top with goat cheese, mint, and cilantro. Serve warm.

Notes

Storage: Leftover kabobs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days. Enjoy them cold atop salads or gently reheated in a microwave or oven until warmed through.

Ingredient Swaps:

• Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breast can be used instead of thighs. Monitor closely during grilling to prevent drying out, possibly reducing cook time slightly.
• Vegetables: Feel free to incorporate grill-friendly options like cherry tomatoes, whole mushrooms, or different colored bell peppers.
• Lime Juice: For a different citrusy note, fresh lime juice can be a delicious substitute for lemon juice in the final garnish.
• Halloumi Cheese: Cubes of halloumi cheese can be marinated and skewered alongside the chicken and vegetables for an added savory element—or used as a vegetarian alternative to the goat cheese garnish.

Troubleshooting:

• Sticking Issues: Ensure your grill is adequately preheated and the grates are clean and well-oiled before placing the skewers. If using a grill pan, avoid overcrowding; cook in batches to maintain heat.
• Uneven Cooking: Cut chicken and vegetable pieces into uniform sizes for even cooking. Rotate skewers regularly.
• Maximize Flavor: For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken and vegetables for the full recommended 2 hours.

Nutrition (per serving, approx.):

• Calories: 404 kcal
• Protein: 28 g
• Carbs: 14 g
• Fat: 27 g (Sat Fat 6.5 g)
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: ~530 mg
• Cholesterol: 115 mg
• Potassium: 585 mg

I hope you and your family love these skewers as much as mine does. They are such a bright, flavorful, and easy way to get a fantastic meal on the table. Enjoy!