Quick Garlic and Herb Marinated Chicken Kabobs Recipe

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links to products I use and highly recommend. You can read my full disclosure . As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Marinated chicken kabobs are the perfect solution for busy weeknights. The simple homemade marinade skips yogurt and honey, allowing the chicken to soak up the flavor you love in my Marinated Chicken Wings and Marinated Chicken Legs recipes. The air fryer sears the chicken while cooking the vegetables at the same time, making the process easy and mess-free. With a little planning ahead for marinating, dinner comes together quickly.

marinated chicken kabobs with a dipping sauce on a serving plate

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The highlights that make this air fryer marinated chicken kabobs recipe a winner:

Simple homemade marinade without yogurt or honey: perfect for those who don’t want extra sweetness or dairy, but still want bold flavor
The air fryer does double duty: it sears the chicken while sautéing the vegetables, keeping everything easy and mess-free.
Quick cooking once marinated: I recommend marinating the chicken for about 4 hours for the best flavor, and after that, it cooks in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This section covers the essentials you’ll need to make Garlic and Herb Marinated Chicken perfectly every time. Grab the exact ingredient amounts from the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Chicken

Chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces: uniform pieces help the chicken cook evenly in the air fryer.

Marinade

Sea salt: enhances flavor and helps the chicken retain moisture.
Dried Italian seasoning: a blend of herbs that adds savory depth. There’s no need for fresh herbs here; the dried version gives consistent flavor every time.
Garlic, minced (about 8 cloves) or 2 tsp garlic powder: provides bold garlic flavor; fresh garlic is more fragrant, while powder is a convenient option.
Black pepper
Olive oil or avocado oil: coats the chicken, helps the marinade stick, and promotes browning in the air fryer.
Lemon juice: adds brightness and tenderizes the chicken slightly.

Vegetables

Red onion: I cut a large one in half to form “square” pieces, which ensures even cooking and easy threading on the skewers.
Red bell pepper: similar to the onion, I cut into quarters to form “square” pieces. These adds sweetness and color to the kabobs.

lemon juice, olive oil, red onion, garlic, black pepper, Italian seasoning, sea salt, red bell pepper and chicken breasts in separate bowls

How to Make Marinated Chicken Kabobs

Making this chicken kabob marinade without yogurt is simple, and these step-by-step photos will guide you along the way. Here’s an overview of the process:

Marinate the chicken

Mix the herbs, garlic, oil, lemon juice, and seasoning, then toss the chicken pieces in the marinade. Cover and let the flavors develop. You’ll get the best results if you plan ahead for a few hours of marinating.

whisk salt, herbs, garlic, pepper, oil, and lemon juice together, then add the chicken and toss until evenly coated.

Assemble the kabobs

Thread the chicken and vegetables onto skewers, alternating pieces for even cooking. Don’t overcrowd them: a few pieces of meat per skewer cook more evenly.

SAVE THIS RECIPE

I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

thread chicken and vegetables onto skewers, then place the skewers in the air fryer.

Cook in the air fryer

Place the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. The hot air quickly sears the chicken and cooks the vegetables at the same time, giving you a juicy, flavorful meal without extra steps.

To keep things mess free you can add a liner like parchment paper in your air fryer.

Other Tool Options

If you want a different method for times when you might be cooking for a crowd, you can also cook these kabobs in a grill pan.

For tips on cooking kabobs with an indoor grill pan, check out my Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Chicken Kabobs for cook times and temperature.

Pro Tips That Save Time & Add Flavor

A few simple tips can help you get maximum flavor with minimal effort:

Use store-bought marinated chicken if you’re short on time: just cut it into chunks and continue with the recipe as usual.
Plan ahead for marinating: letting the chicken soak in the marinade for at least 4 hours or overnight brings out the most flavor.
Keep the skewers balanced: use about 3 pieces of chicken per skewer along with the vegetables. This ensures everything cooks evenly and prevents overcrowding.

Easy Swaps & Flavor Boosts

All of my recipes are kitchen-tested and designed to adapt to real life. Here are some simple ways to make this recipe work for your preferences:

Protein swaps: You can swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs like I do in my air fryer chicken skewers recipe if you want extra juiciness. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
Veggie options: Red onions and bell peppers work perfectly, but you can also try zucchini, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes to mix things up.
Budget-friendly tip: Buy whatever vegetables are in season or on sale to keep costs down.
More flavor: Add a sprinkle of smoked paprika or a dash of chili flakes to the marinade for an extra kick.

tender marinated chicken kabobs served on a plate

What to Serve With This

After making Marinated Chicken Kabobs in the air fryer, try serving them with some of my favorite sides for a complete dinner.

FAQs

What do you marinate chicken in for kabobs?

For these kabobs, I marinate the chicken in a mix of olive or avocado oil, lemon juice, garlic, sea salt, black pepper, and dried Italian seasoning. Let it soak for a few hours (or overnight if you have time) so the flavors really shine through.

What’s the secret to juicy chicken kabobs?

The key is even-sized chicken pieces and not overcrowding the skewers. Marinate ahead of time and let the air fryer do the work. This keeps the chicken tender and juicy while the vegetables cook at the same time.

What’s the secret to juicy marinated chicken?

A good balance of oil, acid (like lemon juice), and seasonings is essential. Make sure the chicken has time to absorb the flavors, cook it just until done, and let it rest a few minutes before serving to lock in juiciness.

What should I marinate my chicken in before grilling?

I stick with olive or avocado oil, garlic, lemon juice, sea salt, black pepper, and dried Italian seasoning. This simple combination adds flavor and helps the chicken stay moist whether you’re using an air fryer, grill pan, or outdoor grill.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate leftovers: Store cooked kabobs in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Avoid freezing: The vegetables don’t hold up well after freezing, so it’s best to enjoy the kabobs fresh.
Reheat easily: You can warm the chicken and vegetables in the microwave, just remove them from the metal skewers first. For extra flavor and juiciness, drizzle with your favorite sauce, like BBQ, before serving.