Recipe
Lemon Marinated Chicken Skewers
Tender and juicy chicken skewers marinated in lemon, garlic and herbes de Provence. Grilled on the barbecue for an irresistible smoky flavor, they are the star dish of your summer cookouts.
In brief
Tender and juicy chicken skewers marinated in lemon, garlic and herbes de Provence. Grilled on the barbecue for an irresistible smoky flavor, they are the star dish of your summer cookouts.
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
0 min
Total time
Ingredients
Instructions
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1
Cut the chicken breasts into even cubes of about 3 cm. Place them in a large salad bowl.
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2
Prepare the marinade: squeeze the lemons, finely chop the garlic, and mix the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, herbes de Provence, paprika, salt and pepper in a bowl.
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3
Pour the marinade over the chicken cubes and mix well to coat each piece. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, ideally 4 to 6 hours.
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4
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before use to prevent them from burning on the barbecue.
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5
Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto the skewers, optionally alternating with pieces of bell pepper, red onion and zucchini for more color.
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6
Light the barbecue and wait until the coals are covered with gray ash. The heat should be moderate and evenly distributed.
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7
Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes total, turning them every 3-4 minutes. Baste with remaining marinade during the first 5 minutes.
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8
Check doneness by piercing a cube: the juices should run perfectly clear. Let rest for 2 minutes off the heat before serving.
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9
Serve the skewers with a fresh lemon wedge, sprinkled with chopped parsley and accompanied by the sauce or side dishes of your choice.
Chef's tips
For even more tender skewers, add plain yogurt to the marinade: the yogurt enzymes tenderize the chicken fibers. If you don't have a barbecue, these skewers are also delicious cooked on a griddle or under the oven broiler for 15 minutes, turning halfway through.
Additional information
Lemon marinated chicken skewers are the very embodiment of a successful summer meal. Simple to prepare, flavorful and convivial, they delight everyone at the table during barbecue evenings. The secret lies in the marinade: the lemon tenderizes the meat while imparting an incomparable freshness, while garlic and herbes de Provence complete the aromatic picture.
The Art of Marinating
A good marinade serves three essential functions: it deeply flavors the meat, tenderizes it through the acidity of the lemon, and protects it from drying out during cooking. For perfect skewers, the marinade should last at least 2 hours, but ideally the chicken should marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
Be careful, however, not to exceed 12 hours of marinating: beyond that, the lemon's acidity begins to "cook" the meat fibers, giving it an unpleasantly rubbery texture. The right balance is key: enough time for the flavors to penetrate, but not so much that the natural tenderness of the chicken is compromised.
Barbecue Cooking
Barbecue cooking is an art that requires a little practice. The golden rule: evenly spread coals and moderate heat. If flames touch the skewers, the chicken will burn on the surface while remaining raw inside. Wait until the coals are covered with a thin layer of gray ash before starting to cook.
Turn the skewers regularly, about every 3 to 4 minutes, and baste them occasionally with the remaining marinade at the beginning of cooking. Stop basting at least 5 minutes before the end for food safety reasons. The chicken is done when the juices run perfectly clear.
Suggested Accompaniments
These skewers pair wonderfully with turmeric-scented rice, a tomato and cucumber salad, or grilled vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers. A lemony yogurt sauce with fresh mint makes a perfect refreshing condiment to complete the meal.
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