If you're looking for a fun and flavorful idea for summer BBQs or indoor grilling, then these pesto chicken skewers are for you! Made with a simple homemade pesto of your choice, heap these kabobs onto the grill for a crowd-pleaser of a dinner idea for your next cookout!
Have a peek at my air fryer pesto chicken recipe and chicken pesto risotto for more tasty options using this tasty sauce!
We always want to give our BBQ food some extra flavor, and pesto always packs a punch with its delicious herbs and garlic! This grilled pesto chicken is so easy to make, and goes down a treat with both kids and adults alike. Pair with salads, my mango slaw or potato salad for a decadent feast!
For more fun chicken recipes all the family will enjoy, you may like to see my honey chicken burger and coconut chicken skewers. And for a bit of a change from chicken, my grilled herb turkey kabobs show that turkey isn't just for the holidays!
And do check out my post on what to serve with pesto chicken for so many tasty side dish ideas!
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⭐ Why this recipe is so good
Whether you call them pesto chicken kabobs or kebabs, I think you'll love this recipe because:
- A simple 'hands off' recipe: these easy juicy and tender chicken skewers really are that, super easy! Minimal 'hands on' time to make the pesto, and then the grill does the work.
- Easy grill or oven dinner! You can easily make these on the grill for a summer evening cookout, or indoors in the oven in colder weather.
- Choose your own pesto: there are options linked below or you can use your own favourite brand.
- Kid-friendly meal: I always find that adults and kids alike won't pass up a skewer!
🐓 Ingredients
This recipe for chicken kebabs is super simple, with minimal ingredients:
- Chicken: I suggest to use skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. If possible choose organic chicken of good quality.
- Bell peppers: they always taste so sweet and delicious when cooked on the grill. A range of colours looks more fun I think!
- Pesto: there are lots of options for those on a low histamine diet below, and all are dairy-free too. If you aren't following this diet, then you can of course use a pesto of your choice.
📖 Variations to the recipe
Swap bell peppers for zucchini. Not a fan of bell peppers? Then how about using zucchini instead? Some chunks of onion is also delicious!
Swap chicken breast for chicken thighs. I suggest to use boneless skinless chicken thighs that you dice into bite-size pieces.
🌿 Suggestions for pesto
You can of course use a store-bought pesto, but if you're looking for low histamine recipes then you may need to make your own so it contains tolerated ingredients. I have many to choose from here to make your pesto marinade for chicken!
- Pistachio pesto
- Macadamia nut pesto
- Pumpkin seed pesto (detailed in the recipe card below)
- Thai basil pesto
- Mint basil pesto
🔪 Step by step instructions
Making these grilled chicken pesto skewers really couldn't be more simple, and requires only a few ingredients and steps.
Step 1: Make your pesto
If making homemade pesto, place your ingredients in a blender and blend to a thick pesto consistency. Alternatively, you can use a pestle and mortar.
Step 2: Marinate the pesto chicken
Spoon the pesto onto cubed chicken pieces in a container that can be sealed and mix well so the chicken is well coated. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to 2 hours to marinate.
Step 3: Grill the chicken
Thread chicken and bell peppers onto your skewers, alternating the chicken and veggies. Cook on your preheated outdoor grill for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, or bake for 15-20 minutes.
💭 Recipe tips and notes
- Adjust the amount of pesto used to taste preference.
- If you are using wooden skewers be sure to soak them in cold water for 20-30 minutes before use to prevent them from burning on the grill!
- Dice the chicken into roughly similar size pieces for an even cook time.
- Always check your chicken for an internal temperature of 165F at the deepest point to know it is cooked through.
📋 Frequently asked questions
If it works for you, then a jar of pesto from the store makes this recipe even more quick and easy!
Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165F using a meat thermometer.
Yes, they are gluten free, just be sure to check the ingredients label if using a store-bought pesto.
🥗 Ideas for BBQ side dishes
- Pair these pesto chicken skewers with salads and slaws such as my cucumber apple salad and apple kale slaw for something light and refreshing.
- Potato salads are always a crowd-pleaser, so have a peek at my roasted potato salad recipe!
- If cooking indoors, you may like some easy sides such as my air fryer bok choy, air fryer celery or my air fryer lettuce!
🍽 More tasty chicken recipes
Enjoy family meals, from my fun sheet pan pesto chicken to my baked chicken with apples and so much more:
I’m always in the kitchen, so come join me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to be the first to hear of new recipes! And please do leave a star rating ⭐⭐⭐ and comment if you've tried the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Pesto Chicken Skewers
Equipment
- Skewers
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts diced into one inch chunks
- ⅓ red bell pepper
- ⅓ yellow bell pepper
- ⅓ green bell pepper
Pumpkin seed pesto
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
- ¼ cup basil
- 1 garlic clove
- ⅛ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- pinch salt
Instructions
- If you are making the pumpkin seed pesto in the recipe card above, dry fry the pumpkin seeds in a pan until they lightly brown and start to pop. Allow to cool then add to a blender with all the other pesto ingredients. Blend to a pesto, adjusting with more olive oil to taste and texture preference.
- Dice the chicken breast into one inch pieces. Add to a container that can be sealed. Spoon in the pesto and mix well so the chicken is coated.
- Place in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes (or more). If you follow a low histamine diet you may prefer to cook immediately and not marinate the chicken.
- Thread the chicken pieces onto your skewers, alternating with bell peppers (or other vegetables).
- Cook on a medium to high heat on the grill, turning occasionally. If cooking in the oven, bake for 15-20 minutes at 390F / 200C. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165F at the deepest point of the chicken.
Notes
- You can either use the pesto recipe in the card above, another that is linked or the pesto of your choice.
- If using wooden skewers, soak in cold water for at least 20 minutes to prevent them from burning on the grill.
- The chicken should be cooked throughout and white. Use a meat thermometer to check it is 165F at the deepest point.
- If you follow a low histamine diet you may find it better to cook immediately rather than marinate the chicken due to histamine formation.
- Please note that nutritional information is offered as a courtesy. It is auto-generated and should be understood to be an estimate.
- pesto - this will depend upon the recipe used and its ingredients.
Joanna says
My entire family loved these chicken pesto skewers. I used a mix of red bell peppers and chunks of courgette. They were a huge hit! Thank you for the recipe 🙂
Claire says
So glad you all liked them Joanna! Always lovely when all the family can eat the same food and it's suitable for all 🙂