We’ve all fallen for those juicy, flavorful chicken kebabs at Costco that make meals a breeze. Now we’re bringing that crave-worthy taste right into your kitchen with our easy homemade version of the Costco Chicken Kebab Recipe.
Ingredients
To bring our homemade Costco Chicken Kebab recipe to life with its juicy, flavorful appeal, we start by gathering these key ingredients. We’ve organized them in the order they’re used during preparation for seamless cooking.
- Marinade Base: 1 cup plain Greek yogurt for tenderness and tang.
- Acid Component: 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice squeezed from 1 lemon to enhance the bright flavors.
- Aromatic Elements: 4 cloves garlic, minced, to add a pungent depth that mimics the original.
- Spices: 1 teaspoon ground cumin for earthy warmth, 1 teaspoon paprika smoked variety recommended for a subtle smokiness, and 1 teaspoon salt kosher preferred to balance the seasoning.
- Chicken Main Ingredient: 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes, as they provide the best moisture and taste.
- Vegetable Add-Ins: 1 large red onion, sliced into wedges, and 2 bell peppers (1 red and 1 green), seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces, for added crunch and color.
- Finishing Touches: 2 tablespoons olive oil for grilling, and wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
Tools and Equipment
To bring our Costco-style chicken kebabs to life, we rely on essential tools and equipment that make preparation and grilling straightforward and efficient. Having the right items on hand ensures we handle the ingredients—like the marinade base, chicken thighs, and vegetables—seamlessly for juicy, flavorful results.
Here’s a curated list of the key tools we recommend:
- Cutting board and sharp knife: These are crucial for safely and precisely chopping the boneless, skinless chicken thighs and fresh vegetables such as red onion and bell peppers into uniform pieces.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Accuracy is key in our recipe, so we use these to measure out exact amounts of ingredients like Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and spices for the perfect marinade.
- Mixing bowls: We need at least one large bowl to combine and marinate the chicken with minced garlic, ground cumin, and smoked paprika, allowing flavors to infuse evenly.
- Skewers: Opt for wooden skewers (soaked in water to prevent burning) or metal ones to thread the marinated chicken and veggies, creating those signature kebabs ready for grilling.
- Grill or grill pan: A reliable outdoor grill or indoor grill pan is essential for achieving that smoky, charred finish on our kebabs—don’t forget to brush with olive oil for extra crispness.
- Tongs and baking sheet: Use sturdy tongs to flip the kebabs during cooking, and a baking sheet if we’re oven-baking as an alternative to grilling for even heat distribution.
By gathering these tools beforehand, we set ourselves up for a hassle-free cooking experience that highlights the crave-worthy appeal of homemade chicken kebabs.
Instructions
We walk you through our straightforward steps to recreate the irresistible Costco chicken kebabs at home, drawing on fresh ingredients and tools we’ve outlined earlier for a seamless process. Let’s transform those components into juicy, smoky skewers bursting with flavor.
Prep the Ingredients
First, we gather and prepare our key ingredients to ensure everything is ready for marinating and assembly. Start by cutting 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes for even cooking and maximum marinade absorption. Next, slice 1 large red onion and 2 bell peppers (we recommend one red and one green for color contrast) into 1-inch pieces to complement the chicken’s texture.
For the spices and other elements, we mince 4 garlic cloves finely and juice 1 fresh lemon to yield about 2 tablespoons, capturing its zesty brightness. Measure out the spices precisely: 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and ½ teaspoon salt for a balanced, aromatic blend. If using wooden skewers, soak 8-10 of them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling. This prep sets the stage for vibrant flavors and easy handling.
Marinate the Chicken
We create the marinade that infuses our chicken with the signature Costco kebab taste, making it tender and flavorful. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, the 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and salt, whisking until smooth for a creamy base that clings perfectly to the meat.
Add the cubed chicken thighs to the bowl and toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly, ensuring the marinade penetrates for juicy results. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours for optimal flavor development—the longer it sits, the more the spices bloom and the chicken absorbs that tangy, smoky essence. We avoid over-marinating to prevent the yogurt from breaking down the meat too much.
Assemble the Kebabs
With the chicken marinated and ingredients prepped, we thread everything onto skewers to build our kebabs, creating a colorful and balanced arrangement. Take a soaked skewer and alternate threading the marinated chicken cubes with the sliced red onion and bell peppers, aiming for 4-5 pieces per skewer to promote even cooking and a mix of textures in every bite.
We space the ingredients about ¼ inch apart on each skewer to allow heat to circulate, resulting in charred edges and tender centers. Prepare 8-10 kebabs depending on your portions, and lightly brush them with 1 tablespoon olive oil for added crispiness and to enhance the grill marks. This step turns simple ingredients into a visually appealing, ready-to-cook masterpiece.
Grill the Kebabs
Finally, we grill our assembled kebabs to achieve that coveted charred exterior and succulent interior, bringing out the marinade’s full flavor profile. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (around 400°F) for 5-10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
| Step | Time (minutes) | Temperature (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Preheat grill | 5-10 | 400 |
| Grill kebabs | 10-15 | 400 |
| Internal doneness | Check at 10 | 165 |
Make-Ahead Tips
One of the best aspects of our Costco Chicken Kebab Recipe is its flexibility for meal prep, allowing us to save time while keeping flavors bold and juicy. By preparing components in advance, we ensure that grilling day is effortless and full of that irresistible charred, smoky taste from the marinade. Let’s break down the key strategies for making ahead, focusing on marinating, prepping ingredients, and storage to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
Marinating in Advance
We recommend starting with the marinade to let flavors penetrate deeply. Prepare the yogurt-based marinade—featuring fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, and spices like ground cumin and smoked paprika—up to 24 hours ahead. This step allows the tangy, herbaceous notes to infuse the chicken thoroughly, resulting in tender, succulent kebabs.
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, 4 cloves of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika. Whisk until smooth.
- Step 2: Add the cubed chicken thighs (about 2 pounds) to the marinade, ensuring every piece is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. For best results, stir once midway to redistribute the spices.
Prepping Ingredients Ahead
Chop and assemble ingredients in advance to streamline the process, especially for busy weeknights. This keeps the vibrant colors and crispness of vegetables like red onion and bell peppers intact while enhancing the overall meal prep efficiency.
- Step 1: Cut 1 large red onion and 2 bell peppers into 1-inch pieces, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This preserves their fresh crunch, making threading skewers a breeze.
- Step 2: If assembling kebabs early, thread the marinated chicken and vegetables onto soaked wooden skewers. Arrange them on a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Avoid longer storage to prevent sogginess, ensuring the kebabs grill up perfectly charred.
Storage and Reheating Guidelines
Proper storage is crucial for our Costco Chicken Kebab Recipe to retain its juicy interior and flavorful exterior. Here’s how we handle make-ahead kebabs safely and effectively.
| Storage Method | Duration | Key Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration | Up to 24 hours for marinated chicken; up to 48 hours for prepped veggies | Keep in airtight containers at 40°F or below to prevent bacterial growth. Use within this window for peak freshness and flavor. |
| Freezing | Up to 3 months for marinated chicken (raw); up to 1 month for assembled kebabs | Freeze in freezer-safe bags, removing as much air as possible. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before grilling. |
| Reheating | 5-7 minutes on a preheated grill or oven at 400°F |
Reheat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, flipping once for even heating. This revives the smoky char without drying out the meat, keeping it as delicious as fresh-grilled kebabs.
By following these tips, we maximize the convenience of our homemade chicken kebabs while ensuring every bite bursts with authentic, crave-worthy taste.
Conclusion
We’ve loved sharing our take on recreating those irresistible Costco chicken kebabs at home
It’s a straightforward way to bring bold flavors to your table with minimal fuss
Try it out and you’ll see how easy it is to make meals that wow your family every time
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key ingredients for homemade Costco chicken kebabs?
The main ingredients include boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juiciness, a marinade made from plain Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, and smoked paprika. Add vegetables like red onion and bell peppers, plus olive oil and soaked wooden skewers. This combination delivers the signature flavorful appeal in about 30 minutes of prep.
What tools and equipment are essential for making chicken kebabs?
You’ll need a cutting board and sharp knife for chopping, measuring cups and spoons for accuracy, mixing bowls for marinating, skewers for threading, and a grill or grill pan for cooking. Tongs help flip the kebabs, and a baking sheet works for oven-baking. These basics ensure a smooth, hassle-free process.
How do I prepare and marinate the chicken for kebabs?
Start by cutting chicken thighs into chunks and mixing a marinade with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and spices like cumin and paprika. Coat the chicken and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor. This step infuses moisture and taste for juicy results.
What’s the best way to assemble and cook the kebabs?
Thread marinated chicken and chopped vegetables like bell peppers and red onion onto soaked skewers for even cooking. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, then cook for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken reaches 165°F internally. This method creates a charred exterior and succulent interior.
Can I prepare these kebabs in advance?
Yes, marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead for enhanced flavor. Prep vegetables in advance and store them in the fridge. Assemble kebabs fully and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, or freeze for up to a month. This makes meal prep efficient without losing taste or texture.
How should I store and reheat leftover kebabs?
Store cooked kebabs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, use an oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or a microwave on medium for 2-3 minutes until warmed through. This keeps them juicy and flavorful for easy meals.