Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Skewers with Creamy Yogurt Herb Sauce

Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Skewers with Creamy Yogurt Herb Sauce are a colorful, fresh, and practical recipe for parties, family dinners, summer lunches, barbecues, or buffet tables. This dish combines tender marinated chicken with bright vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion. Once grilled or roasted, the skewers become lightly charred, juicy, aromatic, and visually appealing.
This recipe is perfect for gatherings because it is easy to serve and looks beautiful on a large platter. Each skewer has a balance of protein, vegetables, color, and flavor, making it a lighter alternative to fried snacks or heavy party food. The creamy yogurt herb sauce adds freshness and brings everything together with a cool, tangy finish.
The best part is that the preparation can be done in advance. You can marinate the chicken, cut the vegetables, prepare the sauce, and assemble the skewers before guests arrive. Then, all you need to do is grill or bake them shortly before serving.
These skewers are also very versatile. You can use chicken breast for a leaner option or chicken thighs for a juicier result. The vegetables can be changed according to what you have at home. Mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, eggplant, pineapple, or green peppers all work beautifully.
Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Skewers with Creamy Yogurt Herb Sauce
Recipe
Ingredients
For the chicken and vegetable skewers
- 700 g chicken breast or boneless chicken thighs, cut into cubes
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 zucchini, sliced into thick rounds
- 1 red onion, cut into pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Wooden or metal skewers
For the creamy yogurt herb sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, optional
- 1 garlic clove, finely grated
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives or dill
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
If using wooden skewers, place them in a bowl of water and let them soak for at least 20 to 30 minutes. This helps prevent them from burning during cooking.
Cut the chicken into even-sized cubes. Try to keep the pieces similar in size so they cook evenly. Place the chicken in a large bowl.
Add the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, oregano, cumin if using, salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley. Mix very well until the chicken is fully coated in the marinade. Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. For a stronger flavor, marinate for 2 to 4 hours.
While the chicken marinates, prepare the vegetables. Cut the bell peppers into medium chunks, slice the zucchini into thick rounds, and cut the red onion into pieces. The vegetables should be large enough to stay on the skewers but not so large that they take too long to cook.
Prepare the yogurt herb sauce by mixing Greek yogurt, mayonnaise if using, grated garlic, lemon juice, parsley, chives or dill, olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Cover and refrigerate until serving time.
Once the chicken has marinated, assemble the skewers. Thread the chicken and vegetables onto the skewers, alternating the ingredients for color and balance. For example, add one piece of chicken, then red pepper, zucchini, onion, chicken again, and yellow pepper. Continue until each skewer is filled.
To cook on a grill, preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 10 to 14 minutes, turning every few minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are lightly charred.
To cook in the oven, preheat the oven to 200°C / 400°F. Place the skewers on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, turning halfway through, until the chicken is golden and fully cooked.
To cook in a skillet or grill pan, heat a little olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook the skewers for about 12 to 15 minutes, turning regularly, until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
The chicken should be fully cooked but still juicy. If you have a food thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 74°C / 165°F.
Once cooked, transfer the skewers to a serving platter. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with the creamy yogurt herb sauce on the side.
Serving Suggestions
These chicken and vegetable skewers are excellent served with rice, couscous, roasted potatoes, flatbread, salad, or grilled corn. For a party table, arrange them on a large platter with lemon wedges, fresh herbs, and a bowl of sauce in the center.
They also pair well with:
- garlic bread;
- Greek salad;
- potato wedges;
- hummus;
- tzatziki;
- roasted vegetables;
- pita bread;
- cucumber and tomato salad.
For a more elegant presentation, serve the skewers on a wooden board with small bowls of different sauces.
Variations
You can adapt this recipe in many ways.
For a spicy version, add chili flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to the marinade.
For a Mediterranean version, add cherry tomatoes, olives, and a little feta cheese on the serving platter.
For a sweeter version, add pineapple chunks between the chicken and vegetables.
For a smoky flavor, use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
For a vegetarian option, replace the chicken with halloumi cheese, tofu, mushrooms, or extra vegetables.
Make-Ahead Tips
The chicken can be marinated the night before. The vegetables can also be cut in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The yogurt herb sauce can be made up to 24 hours ahead. In fact, the flavor improves as the herbs and garlic blend into the yogurt.
You can assemble the skewers a few hours before cooking and keep them covered in the refrigerator until needed.
Conclusion
Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Skewers with Creamy Yogurt Herb Sauce are a delicious, colorful, and practical recipe for parties or everyday meals. The chicken is tender and flavorful, the vegetables bring freshness and color, and the creamy yogurt sauce adds a cool and tangy finish.
This recipe is easy to prepare, simple to customize, and perfect for serving to guests. It works well for casual gatherings, outdoor meals, birthdays, buffets, and family dinners. Because the skewers can be prepared in advance and cooked quickly, they are also very convenient for entertaining.
With juicy chicken, vibrant vegetables, fresh herbs, and a creamy homemade sauce, these skewers are a balanced and attractive dish that looks beautiful on the table and tastes even better.