Description
Delicious and vibrant Chicken Skewers marinated in a fresh Florida grapefruit blend, grilled to perfection with colorful bell peppers, red onion, and zucchini. This recipe offers a refreshing citrus twist paired with aromatic herbs, perfect for a healthy and flavorful meal served alongside rice or couscous.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 1 Florida grapefruit (juiced and zested)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary (or ½ tsp dried rosemary)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 1 red bell pepper (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 small red onion (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 zucchini (sliced into rounds)
Garnish and Serving
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
- Rice or couscous
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the grapefruit juice and zest, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are well mixed, creating a bright and flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the cubed chicken to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse; for a deeper flavor, marinate up to 2 hours.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high. This ensures a good sear on the chicken and vegetables while cooking evenly.
- Assemble the Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken cubes alternately with pieces of red and yellow bell peppers, red onion chunks, and zucchini slices onto skewers, distributing ingredients evenly for balanced grilling.
- Grill the Skewers: Place the skewers carefully on the preheated grill. Cook for approximately 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally to achieve browned edges and even cooking. Confirm the chicken is fully cooked by checking that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and that vegetables are tender but still crisp.
- Rest the Skewers: Remove the cooked skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes. This helps the juices redistribute for a juicy bite.
- Serve and Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the skewers for a fresh touch. Serve hot alongside rice or couscous, and add lemon wedges for an optional bright citrus squeeze.
- Enjoy: Dig into your flavorful, colorful chicken skewers, perfect for a healthy and satisfying meal that brings together sweet, savory, and herbaceous notes.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling prevents them from burning.
- For a spicier variation, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the marinade.
- Skewers can be cooked on an indoor grill pan or broiled in the oven if an outdoor grill is unavailable.
- Marinating time can be extended up to 2 hours but avoid exceeding it to prevent the citrus from making the chicken too tenderized.
- Serve with a fresh salad or grilled vegetables to enhance the meal’s nutritional balance.
