Recipe and Photos by Sarah Steffens

These Whole30 Marinated Chicken Skewers are cooked in the blazing heat of the grill, and then doused in a flavorful sauce made with basil, cilantro, and mint. With a little char around the edges, and a smoky flavor, these skewers make an intriguing main dish that you’ll want to have again and again this summer.

Don’t let your grill cool down before making Grilled Cilantro Chicken & Shrimp from The Whole30 Friends & Family

Whole30 Marinated Chicken Skewers

Chicken skewers on top a bed of fresh greens and olives. Next to the skewers is a basil, cilantro, mint sauce is a small dish.
Photo Credit: Sarah Steffens

Whole30 Marinated Chicken Skewers

Fresh basil, cilantro and mint liven up a simple marinade of olive oil, red wine vinegar and staple seasonings.  This meal is wonderful served hot off the grill and is perfect to make in advance to enjoy throughout the week in your lunch.
4.58 from 14 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried red pepper flakes
  • 1 lb of boneless and skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup cilantro
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 1 cup pitted olives (look for varieties with Whole30 ingredients)
  • 4 cups mixed lettuce
  • 5 skewers

Instructions
 

  • Whisk together your olive oil, red wine vinegar, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder and red pepper flakes and store in a ramekin or small bowl.
  • Minced basil, cilantro and mint and set aside.
  • Cut chicken thighs in 1 ½”-inch bite-sized pieces and place in a bowl. Drizzle with about 1/3 of the marinade and allow to come closer to room temperature for about 25-20 minutes prior to grilling. While chicken is marinating, soak your skewers in water (if using wooden).
  • Add minced herbs to the remaining 2/3 of the marinade to be served with your skewers.
  • Thread each skewer so that the chicken pieces are close to each other without gaps.
  • Heat a grill pan to high heat and when very hot, carefully place each skewer on the pan and do not move once in so that they each get good grill lines on them. Allow to sear about 5 minutes per side.
  • While chicken is grilling, arrange mixed lettuce on a large serving plate. This is where your skewers will be served. Set marinade on the plate. Add mixed olives to the plate.
  • When your chicken is done grilling, carefully remove them from the grill pan and set on top of the mixed lettuce.
  • Serve between 4 (a skewer per person with 1 extra), storing any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

You Might Also Like…


Published by Lindsay Rhodes

Lindsay Rhodes currently lives in Chicago. She attended Butler University where she received her B.S. in Marketing and a minor in Strategic Communication. Previously, Lindsay has worked for management consulting firms as a marketing consultant and as a campus recruiter.

Sarah Steffens

Recipe Developer

Sarah Steffens, our Recipe Developer, has a B.A. in Business Administration, Public Relations from The Master's University in Southern California. After years of experimenting with nutrition and recipes in her own kitchen, she now works as a Personal Chef and Food Photographer in Sacramento, creating meals that support her client's intention to physically and mentally thrive. She has catered several independent film sets, making it her goal to optimize the energy and well-being of each creative crew. You can find many of Sarah's recipes in various Whole30, Paleo and Keto cookbooks. When Sarah is not cooking and styling recipes, you can find her enjoying a long walk, working on creative projects with loved ones or exploring beautiful Northern California.