Why You’ll Love These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers aren’t just another chicken recipe; they’re a revelation for your taste buds and a breeze for your busy schedule. Here’s why they’ll quickly become a staple in your recipe rotation:

• Effortless Preparation: Say goodbye to complicated recipes! These chicken skewers are incredibly easy to make. With minimal hands-on time, you can have them prepped in advance and cooked to perfection in under 30 minutes on the grill. Perfect for those busy weeknights when you still crave a homemade, flavorful meal.
• Versatile & Meal Prep Friendly: Enjoy these skewers fresh off the grill for a satisfying dinner, or prepare a larger batch to use as delicious meal prep throughout the week. They pair wonderfully with a variety of sides, like our crisp Garlic Parmesan Green Beans, making healthy eating both convenient and enjoyable.
• Master a New Grilling Technique: This recipe guides you through a simple yet effective technique to grill chicken thighs, ensuring they are always tender and juicy on the inside with a desirable crispy exterior. If you enjoyed our Bang Bang Chicken Skewers, you’ll appreciate the similar mastery of flavor and texture achieved here.
• Irresistible Flavor Profile: The combination of a tangy lemon-garlic marinade and a rich, creamy garlic parmesan basting sauce creates a truly addictive flavor. It’s a perfect balance of savory, zesty, and umami that appeals to everyone.
• Pure Fun to Eat: Let’s be honest – everything tastes better on a stick! Skewers are inherently fun to eat, making them a hit with both kids and adults. They’re perfect for casual backyard BBQs and more festive occasions alike.
• Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: Whether you’re hosting a summer party or simply feeding your family, these skewers are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Their approachable flavors and convenient format make them universally loved.

Essential Ingredients & Smart Substitutions

Crafting the perfect Garlic Parm Chicken Skewers starts with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and how you can make smart substitutions without compromising on flavor or texture.

• Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are the star here. Their higher fat content ensures a moist and tender result, even with high heat grilling. They also boast a rich flavor that stands up well to the robust marinade. While chicken breast is a suitable substitute if you prefer leaner meat, be mindful that it tends to dry out more quickly and may require slightly adjusted cooking times. Cut them into uniform 1-inch pieces for even cooking.
• Honey: This natural sweetener plays a dual role in our sauce. It not only adds a touch of sweetness that balances the tangy lemon and pungent garlic but also helps the sauce thicken to a perfect consistency, ensuring it beautifully coats the chicken and promotes lovely caramelization on the grill.
• Mayo (Mayonnaise): A secret weapon for incredibly crispy and juicy grilled chicken! Mayo creates a flavorful crust on the chicken as it cooks, locking in moisture and delivering a wonderfully roasted texture. For a lighter or tangier alternative, you can substitute with plain Greek yogurt. It will still provide moisture and help tenderize the chicken, though the final crispy texture might be slightly different.
• Garlic: We use minced garlic generously in both the marinade and the basting sauce to ensure a deep, pervasive garlic flavor that is central to this dish. Freshly minced garlic is always recommended for the most potent and authentic taste.
• Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is key for both the marinade and the sauce. In the marinade, it helps tenderize the chicken and adds a bright, zesty note. In the sauce, it cuts through the richness of the butter and parmesan, providing a refreshing tang.
• Dijon Mustard: A fantastic emulsifier for the marinade, Dijon mustard adds a subtle, sharp flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully and helps create that crispy char.
• Olive Oil: Used in the marinade to help distribute flavors and ensure the chicken doesn’t stick to the grill. Extra virgin olive oil adds a lovely base note.
• Spices (Paprika, Salt, Black Pepper): These fundamental spices enhance the overall flavor profile. Paprika adds a mild sweetness and a hint of color, while salt and pepper are essential for seasoning the chicken to perfection.
• Butter: The base for our irresistible basting sauce, butter adds richness and a silky texture, ensuring the chicken stays moist and flavorful throughout grilling.
• Parmesan Cheese & Fresh Parsley: These are added to the finishing sauce and as a garnish. Freshly grated Parmesan offers a salty, nutty, umami kick, while fresh chopped parsley adds a touch of herbaceous freshness and a pop of color, making the dish visually appealing.

*Please see the recipe card below for exact measurements and more detailed information on all ingredients.

Mastering the Grill: Step-by-Step Garlic Parm Chicken Skewers

These grilled garlic parm chicken skewers, generously basted in a luscious lemon garlic pepper sauce, make for an unforgettable dinner. The best part? They’re incredibly easy to prep in advance and cook in under 30 minutes, leaving you more time to enjoy your meal and less time in the kitchen.

Step 1: Prepare and Marinate the Chicken. Begin by dicing your boneless chicken thighs into uniform 1-inch squares. This size ensures even cooking and perfect bite-sized pieces for your skewers. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped chicken with olive oil, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, salt, black pepper, paprika, and minced garlic. Mix everything thoroughly until each piece of chicken is well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, and up to 4 hours. Marinating allows the flavors to deeply penetrate the chicken, resulting in a more tender and juicy skewer.

Step 2: Preheat Grill and Skewer the Chicken. While the chicken marinates, preheat your grill to high heat. Ensure your grill grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking. Once the grill is hot, carefully thread the marinated chicken thigh pieces onto your skewers. Arrange the chicken so that pieces are slightly separated, not packed too tightly, to allow for even cooking and proper browning on all sides. If using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes prior to prevent them from burning on the grill.

Step 3: Prepare the Lemon Garlic Basting Sauce. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté gently for about 3 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in the lemon juice and honey, then bring the mixture to a low simmer. Remove the sauce from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. This brief cooling period helps prevent the sauce from burning too quickly on the grill. Crucially, separate half of this delicious sauce into a separate bowl. This reserved half will be used for the final dressing, ensuring food safety by not using sauce that has come into contact with raw chicken for basting.

Step 4: Grill the Skewers and Baste. Once the grill is preheated to high, place the skewers directly on the grates. Sear for about 2-3 minutes per side to achieve a beautiful char and crispy exterior. Immediately after the initial sear, reduce the grill heat to medium. Continue cooking, turning every 3-4 minutes, for a total of approximately 16-20 minutes, or until the chicken is almost cooked through. This two-stage cooking ensures a crispy outside without drying out the interior.

Step 5: Finish Cooking and Remove. As you turn the skewers during the medium-heat cooking phase, generously brush them with the remaining half of the basting sauce (the half that *did* come into contact with raw chicken). This adds layers of flavor and helps keep the chicken moist. Continue cooking until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160°F (71°C) using an instant-read thermometer. Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes. The temperature will rise to the safe 165°F (74°C) as it rests, ensuring maximum juiciness.

Step 6: Prepare the Finishing Sauce. While the chicken rests, retrieve the half of the lemon garlic sauce you saved earlier (the one that didn’t touch raw chicken). Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley until well combined. This fresh, vibrant sauce will be drizzled over the cooked skewers, adding a final layer of incredible flavor and an appealing presentation.

Step 7: Serve with a Flourish! Transfer the grilled chicken skewers to a serving platter. Generously dress the skewers with the fresh parmesan and parsley sauce. For an extra touch, you can top with a final sprinkle of fresh parmesan and parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy these juicy, flavorful skewers with some delicious summer sides like our refreshing Italian Pasta Salad or a healthy Kale and Cannellini Bean Salad. You could also grill it alongside some Grilled Polenta with Marinara and Pesto for a truly Italian-inspired feast!

Pro-Tips for Perfect Garlic Parm Chicken Skewers

Achieving perfectly grilled chicken skewers every time is easier than you think with these expert tips:

1. Don’t Skip the Marinating (Ideally): While you *can* skip marinating if you’re truly short on time, for the most tender, flavorful, and juicy chicken, I highly recommend marinating for at least an hour. Even 30 minutes makes a noticeable difference. The lemon and other ingredients help break down the chicken fibers, infusing them with incredible taste.
2. Frequent Basting is Key: To prevent your skewers from drying out and to build up those incredible layers of garlic parmesan flavor, brush them generously with the basting sauce every time you turn them on the grill. This keeps the chicken moist and adds a beautiful golden-brown crust.
3. Start Hot, Finish Medium: Begin grilling at its highest temperature to get a fantastic crispy char and beautiful grill marks on the outside of the chicken quickly. This initial high heat also helps lock in juices. After a few minutes per side, immediately lower the heat to medium. This allows the chicken to cook through gently without burning the exterior, resulting in perfectly cooked, tender chicken.
4. Use an Instant-Read Thermometer: The most reliable way to ensure your chicken is cooked to perfection (and safe to eat!) is to use an instant-read thermometer. Aim for an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) before removing from the grill. The chicken will continue to cook and reach 165°F (74°C) as it rests.
5. Let Them Rest: Once off the grill, allow your skewers to rest for 5-10 minutes. This critical step allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken, ensuring every bite is incredibly tender and moist.
6. Don’t Overcrowd the Grill: Give your skewers space! Grilling in batches if necessary ensures proper airflow and even cooking. Overcrowding lowers the grill temperature and leads to steaming rather than searing, preventing that desirable crispy exterior.
7. Soak Wooden Skewers: If using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes prior to grilling. This prevents them from burning and splintering on the hot grates. Metal skewers don’t require this step and are reusable.

Recipe FAQs: Your Garlic Parm Chicken Skewer Questions Answered

Delicious Pairings: What to Serve with Grilled Chicken Skewers

Summer grilling invites a bounty of fresh, flavorful side dishes. These Garlic Parm Chicken Skewers are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with a wide range of options, from fresh salads to hearty grilled vegetables or comforting pasta dishes.

• Grilled Vegetables: Complement the smoky flavor of the chicken with other grilled delights. Try serving these Garlic Parm Chicken Skewers with some succulent grilled veggies, like our flavorful Zucchini alla Scapece, or simple grilled bell peppers, onions, and cherry tomatoes.
• Light & Refreshing Salads: For a lighter meal or a refreshing contrast, cold side dishes are perfect. Try serving them with a vibrant Kale and Cannellini Bean Salad, a zesty Orzo and Garbanzo Bean Salad, or a classic Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil.
• Hearty Pasta Sides: If you’re looking to add some comforting carbs to the mix, these skewers are fantastic with an easy summer pasta. Consider an Italian Summer Pasta with Zucchini, a fresh Pasta Primavera with Broccoli and Asparagus, or a simple garlic butter pasta.
• Classic Cookout Staples: You can never go wrong with traditional BBQ sides. Think creamy potato salad, sweet corn on the cob (grilled alongside the chicken!), or a fresh garden salad with a light vinaigrette.
• Grains & Starches: A fluffy bed of couscous, quinoa, or even some garlic bread makes for an excellent accompaniment, soaking up all the delicious juices and sauce.

Discover More Grilling Favorites

If you loved these Garlic Parm Chicken Skewers, you’re in for a treat! Our collection of grilling recipes is packed with flavor and designed to make your outdoor cooking adventures a resounding success. From juicy burgers to robust sausages, there’s something for every palate.

We absolutely love hearing from you! Please leave a comment and a star rating below in the recipe card to let us know what you think of our recipes. Your feedback helps us grow and inspires other home cooks. Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @vindelgiudice when you make this incredible dish!

Garlic Parm Chicken Skewers