How Long to Cook Chicken Skewers for Perfectly Juicy Results

Chicken skewers are a classic party food. They’re easy to make, customizable, and who doesn’t love food on a stick? But getting the cook time just right can be tricky. Undercook them and you’ll end up with dry, stringy chicken. Overcook them and the chicken will be tough and rubbery. So how long should you cook chicken skewers to get perfect results every time?

Factors that Affect Chicken Skewer Cook Time

There are a few key factors that will determine how long you need to cook chicken skewers:

• Chicken cut Skewers made with chicken breast will cook faster than skewers made with chicken thighs. Chicken breasts are thinner and contain less fat. Chicken thighs are thicker and contain more fat and collagen which takes longer to break down.

• Chicken size Smaller pieces will cook faster than larger chunks, Cutting the chicken into uniform 1-2 inch pieces will help ensure even cooking

• Marinade: Acidic marinades made with ingredients like yogurt, lemon juice, or vinegar can shorten the cook time slightly by beginning to break down and tenderize the chicken.

• Cooking method: Grilling, broiling, baking, or pan frying will all yield slightly different cook times. Grilling and broiling at high heat will cook skewers fastest.

• Internal temperature: Chicken is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The skewers will continue cooking slightly after being removed from the heat.

How Long to Cook Chicken Breast Skewers

• Grilling or broiling: 8-12 minutes, turning occasionally
• Baking at 425°F: 14-18 minutes
• Pan frying over medium-high heat: 6-10 minutes

Chicken breast skewers typically take 8-18 minutes to fully cook through depending on thickness and cooking method. They have very little fat so be careful not to overcook them or they can become dry and rubbery. I like to grill or broil them over high heat, turning every 2-3 minutes for beautifully caramelized exterior and juicy interior.

An instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken should read 165°F when they’re done. If you don’t have a thermometer, look for the chicken to become opaque all the way through with no traces of pink. Cut into a piece to double check that it’s cooked through.

How Long to Cook Chicken Thigh Skewers

• Grilling or broiling: 12-18 minutes, turning occasionally
• Baking at 425°F: 22-28 minutes
• Pan frying over medium heat: 14-18 minutes

Chicken thigh skewers take 12-28 minutes to cook through since the meat is thicker and contains more fat and collagen. I like to grill them over medium heat or bake in the oven to allow the fat to slowly render and keep them extra juicy.

Chicken thighs are more forgiving than white meat. You can afford to cook them a little longer to develop that nice char. Cook until the thighs reach an internal temp of 165°F or the meat is no longer pink inside.

How Long to Cook Mixed Chicken Skewers

If making skewers with a mix of chicken breast and thighs, I recommend cooking them for the same amount of time you would cook thighs – 18-22 minutes. This ensures the thicker thighs are fully cooked through without overcooking the breasts.

Cook over medium heat, turning the skewers every 4-5 minutes to prevent burning. The chicken breasts will finish cooking a bit sooner than the thighs. I recommend removing the breast pieces as they finish and letting the thighs continue cooking if needed to avoid overcooking the white meat.

How Long to Cook Veggie Chicken Skewers

Adding veggies like peppers, onions, zucchini or mushrooms to your chicken skewers means you’ll need to cook them a bit longer. Dense veggies like potatoes or sweet potatoes may need up to 30 minutes total cook time.

To ensure the chicken and veggies finish cooking at the same time:

• Cut veggies into small, uniform pieces similar in size to the chicken.
• Parcook hardy veggies like potatoes or carrots before skewering.
• Use softer veggies like zucchini, cherry tomatoes or mushrooms that will cook quickly.
• Alternate chicken and veggies on the skewers.

Cook mixed veggie and chicken skewers over medium heat for 20-30 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken reaches 165°F internally and the veggies are tender. Keep a close eye on them and remove pieces as they finish cooking.

Tips for Perfectly Cooked Chicken Skewers

Here are a few of my tips to take your chicken skewers from good to great:

• Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight in the fridge. The acid from ingredients like yogurt, citrus, or vinegar will tenderize the meat.

• Use metal or bamboo skewers. Soak bamboo skewers beforehand so they don’t burn.

• Pat the chicken dry before skewering to help it brown and cook evenly.

• Brush with oil before cooking for golden color and flavor.

• Start skewers seam side down on the grill or pan to keep meat locked onto the skewer.

• Use a grill basket for easy flipping. Or carefully flip with tongs halfway through.

• Cook over medium high heat, turning occasionally, until lightly charred on the outside.

• Let skewers rest for 5 minutes before serving for juicier meat.

• Check for doneness with a meat thermometer for best accuracy.

Grilled Chicken Skewers

These grilled chicken skewers are my go-to for easy summer entertaining and meal prepping. The yogurt and spice marinade keeps them incredibly moist and flavorful. Grilling over direct high heat helps get a nice char while locking in juices. They take just 10-15 minutes to cook to perfection.

Grill chicken breast skewers over direct high heat for 8-12 minutes, flipping once.

Grill chicken thigh skewers over direct medium heat for 14-18 minutes, flipping occasionally.

Cook until charred on the outside and 165°F in the center. The marinade helps prevent drying out. I love serving them with tzatziki sauce and rice pilaf or wrapped in flatbread.

Baked Chicken Skewers

Baking chicken skewers in the oven is great for larger batches or when the weather isn’t grill-friendly. They come out remarkably similar to grilled with nice charred edges and juicy centers.

Baste the skewers with oil and seasonings of choice before cooking. I like using smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and salt and pepper.

Bake chicken breast skewers at 425°F for 14-18 minutes until cooked through and browned.

Bake chicken thighs for 22-28 minutes until 165°F.

Flip skewers halfway for even cooking. Let rest 5 minutes before serving for juicier meat.

Pan Fried Chicken Skewers

You can also cook chicken skewers right on the stovetop in a grill pan or skillet for a quick weeknight dinner. They get great color from direct contact with the hot pan surface. I like to use a grill press to flatten them as they cook.

Cook chicken breast skewers over medium-high heat for 6-10 minutes per side.

Cook chicken thighs for 14-18 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.

Use a meat thermometer to confirm they reach 165°F internally. The pan sear gives great flavor.

Testing Chicken Skewers for Doneness

An instant read thermometer is by far the most reliable way to check chicken skewers for doneness. Simply insert it into the thickest part of the meat without touching bone. Chicken is fully cooked at 165°F.

If you don’t have a thermometer, you can check for visual cues:

• Meat is opaque all the way through
• Juices run clear when pierced with a knife
• No traces of pink inside when cut into

Press the meat gently. Properly cooked chicken will feel firm. If the meat still feels squishy or gelatinous, continue cooking.

Aim to pull the skewers off the heat just before they reach 165° since the temperature will continue rising as they rest. Letting them rest 5+ minutes before eating allows juices to reabsorb for tender, juicy meat.

The Takeaway

Mastering the perfect chicken skewer cook time results in juicy, flavorful meat on flavorful meat every time. The type of chicken, size of pieces, cooking method, and internal temperature are key factors. For best results, aim for the following general guidelines:

• Chicken breasts: 8-18 minutes
• Chicken thighs: 12-28 minutes
• Mixed skewers: 18-22 minutes
• Veggie skewers: 20-30 minutes

Use an instant read thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F. And be sure to marinate for added moisture and flavor. Grilled, baked or pan fried – chicken skewers are the perfect easy protein any night of the week.