The bright and fresh lemon rosemary marinade is essential for the best Grilled Olives and Chicken Kabobs. Succulent chicken, paired with charred briny olives, sweet tomatoes, and vibrant lemons, creates the perfect Mediterranean dinner on a stick.
DINNER on a STICK
Kabobs is short for shish kabobs and is sometimes spelled like "kebobs". Mediterranean chicken kabobs are great for entertaining and casual gatherings as all the prep work can be done ahead and they grill up in less than 15 minutes. If you like the idea of Kabobs, you are going to absolutely love our Japanese Negima Yakitori with Grilled Portobello , Turmeric Pork Skewers and Thai Basil Dipping Sauce and our Green Chicken Kabab Recipe.
Grilling and Chilling
It is the height of the grilling season here in Hong Kong and Mother Nature has decided to make grilling outdoors a little amusing with some sidewise rain and monsoon winds. I have no plans to practice my short of long game of golf off my balcony and into the China sea. However, that rain umbrella comes in handy when you are grilling olives and chicken kababs in the torrential rain.
The Secret Marinade
This Mediterranean recipe starts out with a super easy chicken marinade. With just 5 little ingredients it is super easy to make; olive oil, rosemary, lemon zest, pepper and garlic. If you can remember to throw your chicken in with the simple marinade in the morning before you leave to work, you deserve a prize.
However, even as little as 15 minutes of marinating time whilst you are heating up the grill and preparing the other veggies - and you are good to go.
Savory and Briny
You are just going to love these delicious Mediterranean grilled olives and succulent chicken kabobs. The lemons on the skewers really give a nice bright flavor to the dish. However, the star of the show are the grilled olives on kabobs. Olives add so much flavor to these grilled chicken skewers and to a Mediterranean Baked Cod fish. They are savory and briny - not to be missed!
Grilled Olives
Oh my word, the olives are so delicious. I love how they get that little golden brown char on the olives when you grill them. The olive skins gets all wrinkly and they spread the love of their salty and aromatic flavors on to the chicken. Now let's not forget about those gorgeous cherry tomatoes that are literally bursting with flavor.
Low Carb & Gluten-Free
This is an easy, low carb, gluten-free and diabetic friendly meal. If you want a cardiac friendly option then you will have to remove or reduce the amount of olives as they are high in sodium.
Today is just a quick grilled olives and chicken recipe as I need to scurry back outside to cook before the heavens decide open up again. Be sure to serve it along with a big green tossed salad and a bright lemony white balsamic dressing.
More Grilling and Chilling Recipes
Summer Grilling and Chilling Recipes
Bacon Wrapped Sausage Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Favorite Provençal Ratatouille Recipe
Healthy Alternative Zip Sauce for your Steaks
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Grilled Olives and Chicken Kabobs
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 24 oz chicken breasts
boneless and skinless cut into 2 inch cubes - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon rosemary
minced fresh or 1 teaspoon dried - 2 cloves garlic - 2 garlic cloves minced peeled and minced
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Kabobs
- 8-10 wooden skewers
soaked in water for about ½ hour before use - 2 lemon (sliced into little sliced wedges)
- 12 olives
or as needed (I used large garlic stuffed green olives that were pitted but you can use any olives you like kalamata would be nice) - 12 cherry tomatoes
- salt and pepper or Mrs. Dash (take it easy on the salt as the olives are naturally salty)
Instructions
- In a sealed plastic bag or container with lid mix together your chicken, lemon zest, olive oil, rosemary, garlic and pepper and mix well. Set aside in refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes but best overnight or before your leave for work in the morning.
- Soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before using (to prevent burning). If you are lucky enough to have the metal kabob skewers, lucky you and you can skip this step.
- Preheat your grill to a medium setting. Take one pre-soaked skewer and thread on a piece of chicken to about 2 inches from the end and then thread on a slice of lemon, then a olive, then a tomato and a piece of chicken and then start the whole process over again with the remaining chicken and kabob items. Fill the kabobs so they are full in the middle but have about 2 inches of space on the ends.
- Lightly oil grill grates. Place your Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs on the grill and season with salt and pepper to taste. They do not need too much salt as the olives are salty. Grill on each side for about 6-7 minutes on each side or about 12-15 minutes or until the chicken juices are clear. Do not overcook the chicken.
- Enjoy Grilled Olives and Chicken Kabobs hot off the grill with a nice tossed salad to stay low on carbs.
Notes
Nutrition
Jane says
This marinade sounds delicious! Love cooking on the grill!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Jane, thanks so much. This is a quick and easy recipe that is perfect for the grilling season. Wishing you a super weekend!
Kathleen Richardson says
Even though I don't have a grill, I have written down the recipe. It's definitely a keeper!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Kathleen. Did you know you can make skewers in the oven on a baking sheet? Just cook uncovered for about 20-25 minutes at 350 F or until the chicken juices run clear. Check on them periodically... Take Care and wishing you well!
Claudia | Gourmet Project says
Yes! These kebobs look like heaven!
Kathleen | HapaNomNom says
I LOVE olives. In fact, my family has stories of me ruining my grandmother's cocktail parties because I would eat all of the olives before the guests would arrive. There would be no olives for your martini if I were around 😉 I never thought to grill them - what a brilliant idea! I must try this asap! And as far as the rest of the kebobs are concerned - just beautiful. I love your marinade!
Abbe @ This is How I Cook says
Shish kebabs just say summer. Quick, easy and fun to eat!
Kathryn says
Yum! Love the Mediterranean flavors here. Recently an olive convert but haven't tried them grilled - intrigued! Love how easy and fresh these are. 🙂
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
These kababs look delicious, Bam! Love the flavours! Definitely the perfect summer food!
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
ON GUARD!!! I have a feeling my taste buds will win this sword fight 😉
mjskit says
Grilled meal on a stick...isn't that what grilling season is all about? 🙂 This is a great meal and has every thing we like in a meal.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
There is nothing I can serve family and friends in the summertime that the like better than food on a stick. What is it about sticks that make everyone smile? Your kabobs are terrific!
allthatsjas says
I don't like it at all! .....because it's not on my plate right now, lol. This looks fantastic, Bobbi! It reminds me of perfect summer vacations with great, but healthy, food along the coast of our Adriatic sea. 🙂
Robyn Gleason says
Yum! All those delicious ingredients grilled on a stick for dinner - love it! Would never have thought to put the garlic in the olives, Bobbi. Is there anything better than roasted garlic?
I'm guessing those monsoons are at least cooling things off but be careful with your umbrella on your balcony or you'll be doing the Mary Poppins thing over the harbour!
This is perfect - flavourful, healthy, easy and looks beautiful. Sharing, of course. Have a great day 🙂
hotlyspiced says
What a pretty meal. You have some lovely ingredients on these kabobs. I do think the lemon would give the chicken a lovely flavour but yes, the grilled olives would be amazing xx
ray says
Can't go wrong with kabobs. I like your idea of adding those stuffed olives. This delicious dish is just in time for summer. I hope you are having a great week, Bam. 🙂
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal says
Looks so tasty and easy enough for a weeknight!