The Ultimate Lemon Chicken and Shishito Pepper Kebabs

Are you looking for a new and exciting recipe to throw on the grill this summer? A meal that is incredibly fast, refreshingly light, healthy, and packed with a unique, smoky flavor? These Lemon Chicken and Shishito Pepper Kebabs are the perfect answer.

This is your ultimate guide to creating a simple yet sophisticated meal on a stick. We’ll show you how to marinate tender chicken in a bright lemon-herb dressing and thread it onto skewers with whole shishito peppers. Grilled over high heat, the chicken becomes juicy and flavorful while the peppers get beautifully blistered and smoky.

What makes this recipe so special is its star ingredient: the shishito pepper. It transforms a simple chicken kebab into a fun, adventurous, and absolutely delicious meal. These Shishito Pepper Kebabs are the perfect, easy dinner for a busy weeknight or a light meal for a weekend cookout.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

An Introduction to Shishito Peppers: Your New Favorite Veggie

If you’ve never had shishito peppers, you are in for a treat! These small, wrinkly, and vibrant green peppers are the key to this amazing Shishito Pepper Kebabs recipe.

• What Do They Taste Like? Shishito peppers are fantastic for grilling because they have thin walls that char and blister quickly. Their flavor is generally mild, bright, and slightly sweet. They are not overwhelmingly “peppery.”
• The Fun “Russian Roulette” Factor: Here’s what makes shishitos so famous and fun: about one in every ten peppers packs a surprising, spicy kick of heat! It’s a fun game of “pepper roulette” that adds a little excitement to your meal. Don’t worry, the heat is usually mild and quick to fade.
• Where to Find Them: Shishito peppers have become very popular and can now be found in the produce section of most major grocery stores, especially during the summer months.

Tips for Perfect Grilled Kebabs

• Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Lean chicken breast cooks very quickly on the grill. The key to juicy chicken is to cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and not a degree more. An instant-read thermometer is your best friend.
• Soak Your Skewers: If you are using wooden or bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This prevents them from completely burning up over the hot flames.
• Use a Hot, Clean Grill: For the best char and to prevent sticking, always preheat your grill to a steady medium-high heat. Scrape the grates clean with a grill brush and then wipe them with a paper towel dipped in a high-smoke-point oil.

The Key Ingredients for Your Kebabs

This recipe for Shishito Pepper Kebabs uses a handful of simple, fresh ingredients to let the grilled flavors shine.

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The lean protein star of our dish. Cut them into uniform 1 1/2-inch pieces for even cooking.
• Shishito Peppers: The fun, smoky, and unique vegetable component. You will thread them onto the skewers whole.
• The Simple Lemon Marinade: A bright and zesty marinade made from extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, fresh thyme, and grated garlic. This simple mixture adds flavor without overpowering the chicken or the peppers.

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Shishito Pepper Kebabs

This incredibly easy meal comes together in under 30 minutes.

1. Prepare the Grill and Skewers: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If using wooden skewers, make sure they have been soaked in water.
2. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, toss the cubed chicken pieces with the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, chopped fresh thyme, grated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Let the chicken marinate for about 10 minutes while the grill heats up.
3. Assemble the Kebabs: Carefully thread the marinated chicken pieces and the whole shishito peppers onto your eight 10-inch skewers, alternating between chicken and pepper.
4. Grill to Perfection: Brush your clean grill grates with vegetable oil. Place the assembled kebabs on the hot grill. Cover the grill and cook, turning the skewers occasionally, for about 10 minutes total.
5. Check for Doneness: Your Shishito Pepper Kebabs are done when the chicken is cooked through (165°F), and the peppers are tender and beautifully blistered and charred in spots.
6. Serve Immediately: Remove the kebabs from the grill and serve them hot.

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Delicious Dipping Sauces for Your Kebabs

While these Shishito Pepper Kebabs are delicious on their own, a simple dipping sauce can take them to the next level.

• Lemon-Yogurt Sauce: In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt, the zest of half a lemon, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
• Sweet Chili Aioli: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup of mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons of sweet chili sauce and a squeeze of lime juice.

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Conclusion: A Fun and Flavorful Grilling Adventure

These Lemon Chicken and Shishito Pepper Kebabs are a perfect way to break out of your grilling rut and try something new and exciting. They are incredibly easy to make, light, healthy, and packed with a unique smoky and sometimes spicy flavor. This is a recipe that proves that simple, fresh ingredients can create a truly memorable meal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)