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Keto Chicken Kebab Recipe with Veggie Salad 🥗

Natasha Ekic
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Get ready to experience a flavor-packed keto adventure with our sensational Keto Chicken Kebab! This recipe features tender chicken cubes with delicious flavors and a light, refreshing veggie salad. Crafting this low-carb meal is easy – our step-by-step guide guarantees success.

Homemade chicken kebab.
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Preparation and cooking overview

To prepare this Keto Chicken Kebab Recipe, soak skinless boneless chicken drumsticks overnight in a marinade packed with spices and herbs. Next day, thread the chicken onto skewers and bake until hot and tender. Meanwhile, prepare a yogurt-based sauce and fresh green salad to pair with the hearty meat. It only takes around an hour to cook this delicious dish.

Chef's note

If you don't have much time, you can marinate the chicken for just 2-3 hours to infuse the spices in the meat. For extra flavor, you can add ingredients like cayenne pepper and crumbled feta cheese.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Marination Time: Overnight
  • Cooking Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 65 Minutes
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 6 Servings

For more inspiration check out our Chicken recipe.

🍗 Ingredients for this keto chicken kebab recipe

Let's make some chicken skewers kebabs with the following simple ingredients!

For the chicken marinade

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken drumsticks
  • 5.5 ounces Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the sauce

  • 8 ounces Greek yogurt
  • 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons parsley, freshly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon mint, freshly chopped
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the veggie salad

  • 4 cups lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups cucumber, sliced
  • 1 medium red onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Ingredients made ready on kitchen table for the preparation of chicken kebab recipe.

Ingredient substitutions

Do you see something on the ingredients list that you'd rather skip? Here are a few keto-friendly substitutions:

  • Chicken drumsticks: Swap chicken drumsticks with boneless skinless chicken breast and cut it into even bite-size chunks.
  • Greek yogurt: Replace the Greek yogurt with an equal amount of unsweetened full-fat coconut milk or cashew cream.
  • Olive oil: If you don't have olive oil, use avocado or coconut oil.
  • Tomato paste: Instead of tomato paste, use tomato sauce for a similar flavor.
  • Balsamic vinegar: Use red wine or apple cider vinegar as a substitute.
  • Lettuce: If you don't like lettuce, you can use fresh baby spinach for the salad.
  • Red onion: Use yellow or white onion instead of red onion for a milder taste.

Additional ingredients

Add some extra flair to your keto kebab recipe with these optional ingredients:

  • Fresh herbs: Sprinkle freshly chopped herbs like parsley, cilantro, or basil before serving.
  • Red pepper flakes: Add some red pepper flakes over the kebabs before serving to add a spicy kick.
  • Lemon zest: Dust some lemon zest in the sauce for a fresh flavor.
  • Kalamata olives: Add sliced Kalamata olives to the veggie salad for a briny taste.
  • Feta cheese: Crumble feta cheese and toss it in the salad for a tangy flavor.
  • Green pepper: Add colorful vegetables to your veggie salad with green or yellow bell pepper.
Low carb kebab recipe.

Cooking tools required

To make this keto chicken kebab recipe, you will need the following tools:

  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Large bowl (x2)
  • Medium bowl
  • Large wooden skewer
  • Baking dish
  • Parchment paper
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Tool substitutes list

  • Wooden skewer: If you don't have a large wooden skewer, use a metal skewer or metal kebab rod to cook the kebab.
  • Baking dish: Instead of a baking dish, use an oven-safe tray or a sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Parchment paper: If you don't have parchment paper, use aluminum foil to line the baking dish for easy cleanup.
Keto chicken kebab.

How to make Keto Chicken Kebab: step-by-step guide

Cooking methods

  • Baking

Preparation steps

  1. Gather and measure all the required ingredients.
  2. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels and cut them into even bite-sized pieces.
  3. Chop garlic cloves, fresh parsley, and mint for the sauce.
  4. Wash the lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber for the veggie salad under cold tap water.
  5. Halve the tomatoes, slice the cucumber, and chop the lettuce and red onion.

Cooking instructions

Marinate chicken drumsticks

  1. Combine Greek yogurt, olive oil, tomato paste, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar in a large bowl.
  2. Add the cumin, paprika, ground coriander, garlic, onion, and chili powder. Also, add dried oregano, sea salt, and ground black pepper.
  3. Mix well and toss the chicken into the bowl. Ensure every chicken piece is thoroughly coated with the marinade.
  4. Cover the bowl and allow the chicken to marinate for 24 hours in the fridge.
Mixing ingredients for the chicken marinade.
Spices added to the marinade.
Chicken marinade.
Chicken dipped in the marinade.

Make the sauce

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the sauce ingredients — Greek yogurt, lemon juice, chopped garlic, chopped herbs, ground coriander, cinnamon, sea salt, and black pepper.
  2. Mix until everything is combined, and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to use.
Ingredients for the sauce.
Mixing ingredients in a bowl for the sauce.

Prepare the veggie salad

  1. Place the chopped lettuce, onion, tomatoes, and cucumber slices in a large bowl. Give it a mix and drizzle with olive oil and fresh lemon juice.
  2. Season the veggie mix with sea salt and black pepper to taste.
  3. Mix everything and refrigerate the salad until you are ready to use.

Cook chicken kebab

  1. Take a large wooden skewer and hold it upright. Arrange the chicken pieces on the stick in a balanced manner, ensuring that each piece is placed next to each other.
  2. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking dish with parchment paper.
  3. Place the upright stick with the chicken on the prepared baking tray. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, then carefully flip the kebabs over and bake for 15-20 minutes.
  4. Remove the cooked meat from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
  5. Once the chicken is cooled enough to handle, use a knife to cut the meat.
  6. Serve the chicken kebabs drizzled with our homemade sauce and a side of fresh vegetable salad.
Marinated chicken pieces arranged in a wooden skewer.
Chicken kebab skewers ready to eat.

Chef's pro tip

Soak the wooden skewer in cold water for 30 minutes before using it to prevent burning in the oven. And remember to oil it lightly before threading on the chicken. Oiling will prevent it from sticking to the chicken pieces as they cook.

What to serve with low-carb chicken kebabs?

This chicken kebab with veggie salad and Greek yogurt sauce is a complete meal. But if you are looking for variety, you can pair it with the following options:

  • Keto Grilled Vegetables: Instead of a veggie salad, serve the chicken kebabs with grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and mushrooms.
  • Roasted Brussels sprouts or broccoli: Add a vibrant green touch to your kebabs with Charred Broccoli or Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
  • Keto dipping sauces: Serve the kebabs with other dips such as Tirokafteri (Greek feta cheese dip), Tzatziki Sauce, or spicy Keto Chimichurri.
  • Cauliflower rice: Serve the cubed chicken kebabs on a bowl of cauliflower rice for a fulfilling meal.
Chicken kebab served with vegetable salad.

How to make it healthier?

  • Cut back on salt by reducing the amount used in the marinade, yogurt sauce, and salad. Rely more on herbs and spices for flavors.
  • Opt for organic chicken and vegetables if available at your local market.

Time-saving tips

  • Buy pre-cut chicken: Buy pre-cut skinless, boneless chicken or ask your butcher to remove the skin and bones from the drumsticks to save prep time.
  • Use pre-mixed seasoning. Buy the ready-made kebab seasoning blend if you find a keto-friendly version at your local store.
Chicken kebab recipe.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

  • Marinated chicken: Marinate the chicken pieces beforehand and keep them refrigerated until you are ready to cook.
  • Vegetables: Prepare the vegetables ahead of time: wash, chop, and store them in separate containers.
  • Sauce: Make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.

Storage and reheating instructions

Storage instructions

Allow the chicken kebabs to cool to room temperature and place them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh and delicious for 3-4 days. You can store the sauce and salad in separate containers for 2-3 days.

Keto chicken kebab recipe with veggie salad.

Reheating best practices

  • Microwave: Place the leftover kebabs on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a lid. Heat on medium power for short intervals, around 30 seconds to 1 minute, checking and stirring in between.
  • Oven: Preheat your oven to a low temperature, around 300°F (150°C). Place the leftovers on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Cover the kebabs loosely with foil and bake for 10-15 minutes.
  • Stovetop: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the leftovers in the skillet and cook for a few minutes on each side until heated through.

Recipe wrap-up conclusion

If you're looking for a fun, fresh way to add variety to your low-carb lifestyle, try these zesty Keto Chicken Kebabs. Serve them with a veggie-packed salad for a hearty dinner or a satiating lunch.

Keto chicken kebab recipe.

Frequently asked questions

Chicken kebabs are keto-friendly, especially when made with a low-carb marinade, like in our recipe. They are protein-rich and pair well with a fresh vegetable salad for a satisfying keto meal.

The calorie count can vary based on the ingredients and portion size. A serving of our keto chicken kebab recipe, including the sauce and salad, is around 450 calories.

Yes, you can cook the chicken kebabs on a grill or stovetop griddle pan like in this recipe. Keep an eye on them and turn occasionally to ensure they're cooked evenly on all sides.

The wonderful thing about this recipe is that it's easily customizable. If there's a spice you don't like in the marinade ingredients or sauce, you can reduce the quantity or omit it altogether.

We recommend you enjoy the kebabs fresh or refrigerated. Freezing will affect the texture and make the chicken dry and chewy.

📖 Recipe

Keto chicken kebab.

Keto Chicken Kebab

Enjoy a flavorful and guilt-free Keto Chicken Kebab with tender marinated chicken, served with a refreshing veggie salad and yogurt-based sauce for a complete low-carb meal.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Keyword: chicken kebab, easy, keto chicken kebab, keto kebabs, low carb
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 304kcal

Ingredients

For the chicken marinade

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken drumsticks
  • 5.5 ounces Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the sauce

  • 8 ounces Greek yogurt
  • 2 cloves of garlic chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons parsley freshly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon mint freshly chopped
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the veggie salad

  • 4 cups lettuce chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 2 cups cucumber sliced
  • 1 medium red onion chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • sea salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Marinate chicken drumsticks

  • Combine Greek yogurt, olive oil, tomato paste, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar in a large bowl.
  • Add the cumin, paprika, ground coriander, garlic, onion, and chili powder. Also, add dried oregano, sea salt, and ground black pepper.
  • Mix well and toss the chicken into the bowl. Ensure every chicken piece is thoroughly coated with the marinade.
  • Cover the bowl and allow the chicken to marinate for 24 hours in the fridge.

Make the sauce

  • In a medium bowl, combine the sauce ingredients — Greek yogurt, lemon juice, chopped garlic, chopped herbs, ground coriander, cinnamon, sea salt, and black pepper.
  • Mix until everything is combined, and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to use.

Prepare the veggie salad

  • Place the chopped lettuce, onion, tomatoes, and cucumber slices in a large bowl. Give it a mix and drizzle with olive oil and fresh lemon juice.
  • Season the veggie mix with sea salt and black pepper to taste.
  • Mix everything and refrigerate the salad until you are ready to use.

Cook chicken kebab

  • Take a large wooden skewer and hold it upright. Arrange the chicken pieces on the stick in a balanced manner, ensuring that each piece is placed next to each other.
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking dish with parchment paper.
  • Place the upright stick with the chicken on the prepared baking tray. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, then carefully flip the kebabs over and bake for 15-20 minutes.
  • Remove the cooked meat from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
  • Once the chicken is cooled enough to handle, use a knife to cut the meat.
  • Serve the chicken kebabs drizzled with our homemade sauce and a side of fresh vegetable salad.

Video

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Keto Chicken Kebab
Amount Per Serving
Calories 304 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 0.02g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 11g
Cholesterol 82mg27%
Sodium 567mg25%
Potassium 633mg18%
Carbohydrates 12g4%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 25g50%
Vitamin A 868IU17%
Vitamin C 18mg22%
Calcium 125mg13%
Iron 2mg11%
*

Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.

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