Mediterranean Chicken Skewers With Hummus (Printable version)
Tender grilled chicken with aromatic spices served over creamy homemade hummus spread
# What You’ll Need:
→ Chicken & Marinade
01 - 1.3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1.25 inch cubes
02 - 3 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Hummus Spread
10 - 1 can (14 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
11 - 3 tbsp tahini
12 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
13 - 2 tbsp olive oil
14 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
15 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
16 - 1/2 tsp salt
17 - 2-4 tbsp water, as needed
→ Serving & Garnish
18 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
19 - Lemon wedges
20 - Pita bread (optional)
21 - Cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken cubes and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 20 minutes, or refrigerate up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
02 - While chicken marinates, combine chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, and salt in a food processor. Blend until completely smooth, scraping down sides as needed. Add water one tablespoon at a time until creamy and spreadable. Taste and adjust seasoning.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (approximately 400°F). Remove chicken from marinade and thread pieces onto skewers, leaving slight space between pieces for even cooking.
04 - Place skewers on preheated grill and cook for 12-15 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes to achieve even char on all sides. Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F and pieces are lightly browned.
05 - Spread prepared hummus generously across a serving platter. Arrange grilled skewers on top of hummus bed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges, pita bread, and fresh vegetables on the side.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- The marinade transforms ordinary chicken into something extraordinary with hardly any effort
- Everything comes together in under 45 minutes but tastes like it took all day
- The hummus and chicken combo keeps everyone coming back for seconds
02 -
- Soaking wooden skewers for 30 minutes prevents them from burning on the grill
- Letting the chicken rest for 5 minutes after grilling keeps it juicy
- The hummus tastes better if you make it ahead and let flavors meld
03 -
- Pat the chicken dry before marinating so the flavors actually penetrate
- Room temperature chicken grills more evenly than cold from the fridge