Description
Juicy grilled chicken skewers marinated in ranch dressing, fresh garlic, and Parmesan cheese. These flavorful skewers deliver restaurant-quality results with a golden crust and tender interior that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend grilling.
Ingredients
2 lbs boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
1/2 cup ranch dressing
6 cloves fresh garlic, minced
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
8–10 wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
1. Cut chicken into uniform 1.5-inch cubes and pat completely dry with paper towels.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, paprika, pepper, and salt.
3. Add chicken cubes to marinade and toss until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
4. If using wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes before grilling.
5. Remove chicken from refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature.
6. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (375-400°F) and clean grates thoroughly.
7. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers, leaving small gaps between pieces for even cooking.
8. Oil grill grates to prevent sticking. Place skewers on grill.
9. Cook for 6-8 minutes per side, rotating once halfway through cooking time.
10. Baste with reserved marinade during cooking for extra flavor.
11. Check internal temperature with meat thermometer – chicken should reach 165°F.
12. Remove from grill and let rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
13. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, use boneless chicken thighs for juicier meat, though breasts work well too.
Don’t overcrowd the grill – cook in batches if necessary for proper heat circulation.
Reserve some unmarinated marinade for basting to avoid food safety issues.
Skewers can be prepped up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerated until ready to grill.
Leftover cooked chicken stores in refrigerator for up to 3 days and freezes for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 30 minutes marinating)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Grilling, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (2-3 skewers)
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 485mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: chicken skewers, ranch chicken, grilled chicken, parmesan chicken, garlic chicken