These Italian Parmesan Chicken Skewers are full of rich, savory flavor thanks to a marinade of Parmesan cheese, Italian herbs, garlic and paprika. Great for grilling season or anytime you want a light, protein-heavy meal with a Mediterranean kick. Serve with a side of marinara or garlic aioli for dipping, or toss them on top of a crisp salad or a bed of pasta. Whether its a family meal or a backyard BBQ, these skewers are a hit!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Packed with Italian Flavors: Parmesan cheese, garlic and Italian seasoning give each bite lots of taste.

Grilling Perfection: These skewers are super quick to make, then just grill — charred is a flavor only the grill gives you.

Diner’s delight that’s also adaptable for a crowd: Have them as a main dish, on a salad or as apps at a shindig.

Key Ingredients:

Chicken Breasts: I prefer boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. They’re lean, fast-cooking and gratefully absorb the flavors of the marinade. If you like it even juicier, you can use chicken thighs, as well.

Olive Oil: The base of the marinade, olive oil helps cover the chicken and keep it moist on the grill. A bit of richness comes from the extra virgin olive oil.

Garlic: Finely minced garlic brings a bold flavor to the chicken that’s a must in Italian cooking. Add more cloves if you are a garlic lover!

Parmesan Cheese: Adds a rich, nutty flavor to the chicken and creates a thin crust while the chicken grills.

Italian seasoning: This mixture of herbs (usually basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme) lends true Italian flavor. A mixture of fresh herbs will also work if you have it available.

Paprika: Paprika brings in a little warmth, and also helps give the chicken that lovely golden color.

Full ingredient list with amounts and directions is found in the recipe card at the bottom

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

Prepare the Marinade

In a big mixing bowl, mix:

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 minced garlic cloves

1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

1 T Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

Stir together to make an even marinade. This process imparts strong flavors to the chicken.

Marinate the Chicken

Add chicken breasts to the marinade in the bowl, cut into 1-inch cubes.

Toss the cubes of chicken until they are all coated with the mixture.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes (for best result, marinate up to 4 hours for deeper flavor).

Preheat the Grill

About 10 minutes before grilling, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Preheating properly gives it an opportunity to cook evenly on the surface, even making those signature grill marks.

Prepare the Skewers

Once the grill is hot, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto soaked wooden skewers, evenly distributing the chicken.

Don’t overcrowd the skewers; you need space so each piece can cook.

Grill the Skewers

Add the chicken skewers to the grill.

Grill for 6-8 mins per side, turning once halfway through cooking, or until the chicken is golden-brown and has grill marks.

(You also can use a meat thermometer — chickens should have an internal temperature of 165°F for humans to eat.)

Rest and Serve

Take the skewers off the grill and let rest a few minutes to give the juices a chance to redistribute for even more juiciness.

Serve warm, with additional grated Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs on top if desired.

Serving Suggestions:

Side Dishes: Serve with a light pasta salad, roasted vegetables or grilled asparagus for a well-rounded meal.

Dipping Sauces: Pair with marinara sauce, garlic aioli or pesto for dipping.

Add to Salads: Place the skewers on a Caesar or mixed green salad for an uplifted, protein-forward meal.

Storage and Reheating Tips:

Storage: Leftover skewers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat: On the grill or in a skillet over medium heat, or microwave in short intervals until heated through.

Freezing: You can freeze marinated, but raw, chicken cubes in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then skewer and grill.

Variations:

Lemon Herb Chicken Skewers

Substitute the Italian seasoning for fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme and parsley) and add the zest of one lemon to the marinade for a bright, citrusy flavor.

Spicy Parmesan Skewers

If you want a mouthful of fire, sprinkle in 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper into the marinade.

Mediterranean-Style Skewers

For Italian seasoning, use a blend of oregano, thyme and mint. The skewers are great served with tzatziki sauce on the side for dipping.

Conclusion:

These Parmesan Chicken Skewers pack all the Italian flair into grilled skewers. Joint with garlic, opening and herbs, this cutting-edge flavor describes the stout, wonderful profile of these skewers certain to be a crowd-pleaser at any meal. They’re easy to grill and quick to prepare, making them great for everything from weeknight dinners to outdoor picnics. Savor the flavors of Italy with every bite!