Description
Tender chicken breast pieces marinated in tangy feta brine and grilled to perfection, served with a creamy and aromatic herby feta sauce. These chicken skewers offer a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a flavorful summer barbecue.
Ingredients
Herby Feta Sauce
- 1 cup feta cheese (loosely crumbled)
- 1 whole lemon (freshly squeezed)
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup parsley (freshly chopped)
- 2 tbsp dill (freshly chopped)
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Feta Brined Chicken
- 2 lbs chicken breast
- 1 10 oz container of feta cheese in brine
- 1 whole red onion
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 whole lemon
Instructions
- Prepare Herby Feta Sauce: In a food processor, combine garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and olive oil. Pulse until garlic is finely crushed. Add crumbled feta cheese, chopped parsley, dill, and black pepper, then pulse until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Prepare Chicken and Onion: Slice the red onion into 1-inch chunks. Cut chicken breast into 1 to 1 1/2-inch pieces for even cooking.
- Marinate Chicken: In a shallow baking dish, combine chicken pieces, half the onion slices, and crushed garlic cloves. Season liberally with freshly ground black pepper. Pour the feta cheese brine over, toss to coat all pieces evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to marinate.
- Assemble Skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 20 minutes to prevent burning. Thread chicken pieces and remaining onion chunks onto skewers, alternating evenly without packing too tightly. Discard marinade.
- Preheat Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high heat, preparing for direct grilling.
- Oil and Lemon Prep: Lightly brush the assembled skewers with olive oil and spritz with fresh lemon juice to add moisture and prevent sticking.
- Grill Chicken Skewers: Place skewers on the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes total.
- Baste With Sauce: In the last few minutes of grilling, baste the chicken skewers with about one-third of the herby feta sauce. This will melt and slightly caramelize the cheese on the surface.
- Final Touch and Serve: Remove skewers from the grill. Slather with remaining herby feta sauce and spritz again with fresh lemon. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For best results, marinate chicken overnight to enhance flavor and tenderness.
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning during grilling.
- Use fresh herbs for the sauce to maximize aroma and taste.
- Adjust lemon juice and pepper to taste in the sauce for personal preference.
- Serve with a side of grilled vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
