Citrus Honey Chicken Skewers Recipe

Prepare chicken

Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts. Cut the chicken into 1 to 1 1/4-inch cubes so they will cook quickly and evenly. Pat pieces dry with paper towels.

Make marinade

In a medium bowl, combine the zest of the orange and lemon and the juice from both (about 3/4 to 1/2 cup total juice depending on fruit). Whisk in 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper until honey is dissolved and mixture is homogeneous.

Marinate chicken

Place the cubed chicken in a zip-top bag or shallow container. Pour the marinade over the chicken, massaging so each piece is coated. Refrigerate and marinate at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. (If marinating longer than 2 hours, reduce acid contact by reserving 2 tbsp of marinade and adding it back 15 minutes before grilling.)

Assemble skewers

If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers, leaving a little space between pieces for even heat circulation. Discard any leftover raw marinade.

Preheat grill

Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C). If using a grill pan, heat it over medium-high heat and brush with a little oil to prevent sticking.

Grill skewers

Place skewers on the grill and cook 3–4 minutes per side, turning every 3–4 minutes until exterior is nicely charred and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Total cook time ~10–12 minutes depending on cube size and grill heat. Move skewers to indirect heat if necessary to avoid burning while cooking through.

Rest

Remove skewers from grill and let rest on a plate for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.

While chicken marinates or grills, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl combine 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp orange juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp honey, 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning or acidity: add up to 1/2 tsp more honey if too tart, or a pinch more salt if needed. Chill until ready to serve.

Arrange skewers on a serving platter. Spoon the citrus garlic yogurt sauce alongside or drizzle lightly over skewers. Garnish with extra citrus zest and chopped parsley or cilantro. Serve immediately with lemon wedges if desired.