Description
Delicious and healthy chicken skewers marinated with ranch dressing, garlic, and Italian herbs, then grilled or baked to perfection with a cheesy Parmesan finish. Perfect for a flavorful and easy meal with optional fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Skewers:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Skewers, wooden or metal (if wooden, soak in water for 30 minutes before grilling)
Optional Vegetables:
- Bell peppers, cut into chunks
- Cherry tomatoes
- Red onion, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, combine ranch dressing, olive oil, minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to create the marinade base.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken breast pieces to the bowl, coating them evenly with the marinade. Refrigerate for 30 minutes if time allows to enhance flavors.
- Preheat grill: If grilling, preheat your grill to medium-high heat to ensure optimal cooking temperature.
- Preheat oven: If baking, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Assemble the skewers: Thread marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, alternating with optional bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion for added flavor and color.
- Space the pieces: Leave small gaps between pieces on the skewers for even cooking and heat circulation.
- Grill the skewers: Place skewers on the grill, cooking for 10-15 minutes. Turn occasionally until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/75°C).
- Bake the skewers: Arrange skewers on baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and lightly golden.
- Add Parmesan cheese: In the final minutes of cooking, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the skewers.
- Melt the cheese: For grilling, close the grill lid to melt the cheese. For baking, switch to broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is golden and slightly crisp.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning during cooking.
- Marinating for at least 30 minutes intensifies the flavor but can be extended up to overnight.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- Vegetables are optional but add color and additional nutrients.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor results.
- Broiling for a few minutes gives a crispy cheese crust when baking.
