Grilled Pesto Chicken Kabobs

We love the taste of Pesto, so I knew my entire family would love these Pesto Chicken Kabobs! This simple meal idea is packed with bold flavors from the Fresh Basil Pesto Sauce and spices. The Grilled Chicken turns out so delicious with amazing smoky flavor.

Serve this naturally gluten-free and low-carb meal any day of the week or for your next cookout. It is an impressive dish but prep time is minimal. If you love kabobs as much as my family does, try Best Steak Kabobs and Greek Chicken Kabobs.

Why You’ll Love Grilled Pesto Chicken Kabobs

If you are looking for the ultimate summer recipe, make kabobs. This Pesto Chicken Kabob is one of our favorites because tender chunks of chicken marinates in a delicious basil pesto sauce before being charred over the flames.

These delicious kabobs cook in under 15 minutes, require minimal prep, and double as a stunning centerpiece for backyard gatherings or a speedy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast – Cut into bite size chunks, about 1 inch cubes
• Basil Pesto  – Key ingredient and gives the kabobs the best flavor
• Olive Oil – Use oil of your choice
• Garlic Powder – If you are out, see The Best Garlic Powder Substitute
• Lemon Juice – We recommend using fresh lemon juice
• Cherry Tomatoes – The perfect size for the kabobs

Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe.

How to Make Grilled Pesto Chicken Kabobs

Step 1 – In a large bowl, whisk together the pesto, 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic powder, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. 

Step 2 – Add the chicken to the bowl and stir to make sure that the chicken is fully coated in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour but can be overnight as well.  

Step 3 – Soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 15 minutes prior to using.

Step 4 – Toss the cherry tomatoes with the remaining olive oil, salt and black pepper. 

Step 5 – Preheat Outdoor Grill over medium-high heat and clean grill grates. Beginning and ending with a piece of chicken, thread chicken and tomatoes onto the skewers evenly. 

Step 6 – Place the chicken on the hot grill and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165 degrees F).  Cooking time total should be about 10-12 minutes and make sure to flip the kabobs every few minutes so that all sides are cooked evenly. 

Step 7 – Remove the kabobs from the grill, cover loosely with foil and let them rest for about 5 minutes. 

Step 8 – Then the kabobs are ready to serve and enjoy! 

Pro Tips for the Perfect Kabobs

• Preparing Kabobs – To ensure that everything cooks evenly, make sure to cut the veggie and chicken about the same size.
• Skewers – To prevent the wooden skewers from burning, make sure to not skip the step to soak them in water. You can omit this step if you are using metal skewers.
• Meat Thermometer – We recommend using a meat thermometer to make sure that the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
• Indoor Option – These kabobs can be cooked on a grill pan on the stove top with the same cooking time.

Flavor Variations

• Change the Vegetables – Kabobs can be made with a variety of ingredients. You can easily swap the tomatoes with zucchini, red onion and mushrooms.
• Chicken – We diced up chicken breasts in this chicken kebabs recipe, but you can also make with chicken thighs. Feel free to use other types of protein.
• Spicy – For an extra kick of spice, add in ½ tsp of cayenne pepper to the pesto sauce.
• Omit Tomatoes – You can omit the tomatoes from this recipe if you do not like them. The chicken with the pesto marinade is amazing by itself. 

Serving Recommendations

These Grilled Pesto Chicken Kabobs can be served as an appetizer or a main course recipe. We love to serve with a garden salad, White Rice and side of Grilled Vegetables in Foil.

For even more ideas, see What to Serve with Chicken Kabobs.