Grilled Pesto Chicken Kebabs
Grilled Pesto Chicken Kebabs are pesto marinated chunks of chicken skewered with vegetables and grilled to perfection. It’s an easy summer meal!
I’m a pesto addict….how’s that for being straightforward? Sure, I love tomato based sauces too, but when I’m in the mood for a fresh, bright pesto sauce, there’s absolutely no substitute. And when I make a batch, it finds its way into so many things. Like pasta (obviously!), flatbread, and even sandwiches. I finally got around to using it as a marinade for these Grilled Lemon Pesto Chicken Kebabs, and let’s just say I wasn’t at all disappointed in the outcome.
Again, I state the obvious. 🙂
How easy is this meal? Ridiculously easy! Especially if you make a large batch of pesto sauce like I did and have it waiting in the wings for you.
Pesto sauce always bails me out of a dinner rut, and this time was even more amazing because it was the marinade and the sauce.
This chicken is double the pesto pleasure.
This meal will go really quickly if you’ve got your pesto sauce made in advance like I mentioned. It also pays to make a double batch so you can freeze one for future pesto emergencies.
I like to use my Spinach Walnut Pesto most of the time, and I substitute the spinach for fresh basil, arugula, or whatever types of greens that I’ve got on hand. See my post on How to Make Pesto for more flavor variations.
If you’re strapped for time, just use your favorite store bought variety.
I always add a bit of lemon juice to my pesto, and I decided that I should add even more to the pesto marinade to give it that 1-2 citrus punch that always livens things up. It is summer, after all, so let’s get lively!
I cubed my chicken and marinated it in the pesto sauce for 2 hours and it was plenty flavorful. If you have your ducks in a row and marinate it for longer — say 4 hours or even overnight — it’ll be even better.
I chose to skewer the chicken with some sweet cherry tomatoes and zucchini slices, but you can also use red onion, bell peppers, mushrooms, or any other type of veggies that grill up quickly. There’s no need to go to the store…customize these skewers using whatever you’ve got!
I served these kebabs with orzo pasta and plenty more pesto sauce, and it was perfect. These Grilled Lemon Pesto Chicken Kebabs were a meal my kids were happy about eating too. Eating off of sticks is always more fun, isn’t it? 🙂
More grilled chicken recipes:
Beer can chicken by Food Network
Grilled Pesto Chicken Kebabs
Ingredients
For the pesto sauce:
- 4 cups baby spinach leaves*
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons toasted walnut pieces
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
For the kebabs:
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts about 3 medium, cut into 1″ cubes
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce plus more for serving
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 2 medium zucchini cut into 1/2″ thick rounds
- 18 cherry tomatoes
Instructions
Prepare the pesto:
- Place the spinach, garlic, lemon juice, walnuts, and parmesan into the bowl of a food processor or blender and pulse until roughly chopped. With the processor running, add the oil through the feed tube and process until it reaches the desired consistency. Taste, then and add salt and pepper, and process once more. Adjust the seasoning as necessary.
Prepare the kebabs:
- Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper and place in a large zip top bag or bowl. Combine the pesto sauce with the lemon juice and pour over the chicken, tossing until evenly coated. Marinate a minimum of 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the grill to medium high. Brush the grates with the canola oil.
- Skewer the chicken, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes on large metal or wooden skewers (I used metal). Grill for 15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes. Drizzle with extra pesto sauce, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- *Spinach may be substituted with fresh basil, arugula, or your favorite combination of greens and herbs. You can also use your favorite store bought variety if you’re strapped for time!
- I marinated the chicken for 2 hours and it was very flavorful, but the longer you marinate it, the better it will be.
- This meal is great served with orzo pasta!
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
39 Comments on “Grilled Pesto Chicken Kebabs”
this recipe looks awesome! Can you recommend any substitutes for the chicken please? Thinking of making this at the weekend ready for the week ahead! 🙂
Hi Puja! For vegetarian, I would suggest all veggie skewers or tofu and veggies should work too!
I’m a pesto addict, too! In fact, I’ll take it over red sauce any day. I’m not the biggest red sauce fan in general, so pesto always wins! These kebabs look fantastic, Marcie! I love the hint of lemon in here, too. Sounds like such a delicious summer meal!
Pesto is so bright and flavorful, you just can’t lose! Thanks, Gayle!
I love pesto, like I can never have enough of it!! this sounds really flavorful Marcie!
Sounds like we’re on the same page, Manali! Thanks! ?
Lemon pesto kebabs look so beautiful, Marice. Spinach and walnut sound like a great combo for pesto. It must be really flavorful and delicious. Yummy share!
Thank you, Anu!
Love the fresh lemon and how you smothered these in pesto 🙂
Thanks Medha — the more pesto the better! ?
I’m really into the idea of veggie kebabs lately, especially with all the vegetables we’re picking. But you just took it up a notch with that pesto! LOVE IT!
Thanks so much, Pamela!
I’m a pesto fiend too! I just made some kale pesto yesterday for pizza. 🙂
I love this lemon version and how easy it is to make the kebabs. Sounds like a perfect way to spend an evening grilling with this beautiful weather we’ve had lately!
I love pesto pizza and just used some of this pesto on flatbread last night! Sounds like we’re on the same wavelength. ?
I love pesto and this recipe sounds so flavorful and looks so beautiful!
Thank you, Kushi!
There’s never ever enough pesto to go around! Love kebabs for a quick, tasty and healthy summer meal and this recipe is perfect!
Thanks so much Karly, and I agree — there’s never enough pesto!
Pesto is so easy to make and I hope you get to try it soon, Alaina! ?
Love pesto! And skewers, too! I make them all the time and can’t wait to try this amazing combination! It sounds like the perfect meal for this time of the year!
Thanks, Mira!
I’m right there with you with the pesto addiction!! These kebabs look SO good and I love that you added the brightness of lemon, too. Perfection! 😀
Thanks, Rachel! 🙂
Ohhh do I love pesto! We’ve been grilling like crazy (now that we have one) and these skewers are on the menu for sure. We’ve done basic chicken skewers but lemon and pesto would make them ten times better!
Thanks, Alyssa, and happy grilling! 🙂
I love pesto too! This looks like a delicious and easy meal idea!
Pesto is the best, isn’t it? Thanks Jamie!
We love grilling this time of year Marcie! I know this recipe will be making an appearance soon 🙂
Thanks, Deb!
I love grilling season and pesto is my favorite condiment so I can totally see myself eating these kebabs for meals every other day!
Thanks, Ami! Whenever I make a batch of pesto it finds itself in about everything!
These are the prettiest kebabs, Marcie! My mouth waters over anything with pesto and love that you added spinach to in here! This is the perfect sunny lunch or dinner! 🙂
Thank you, Kelly! Pesto gets me every time, too. 🙂
Those are some good looking kebabs. Love how the spinach made the pesto so green…basil can turn dark.
Thank you, Karen! You’re so right about basil going dark too — it’s so much easier to keep spinach nice and vibrant!
This recipe is absolutely fantastic!! The chicken was so tender and flavorful. Can’t wait to make again. Thanks for the great recipe.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the chicken, Jill, and I so appreciate the feedback! Have a wonderful weekend! ?
So perfect for grilling season! I love that lemon pesto flavor!
Thanks so much Zainab!