Cilantro Pesto Chicken Skewers

Over the past week, the sun is finally beginning to shine in many parts of the country. Although I am lucky to have sunshine most of the year in Southern California, I distinctly remember busting out my shorts and flip-flops as soon as it reached 50 degrees growing up in New England.

It also always meant it was finally time to break out the grill, get outside, and try to soak in as much good weather as we could before the inevitable late-season snowstorm hit. Today's recipe for Cilantro Pesto Chicken Skewers is perfect for those first days of warm weather when you are ready to head out and start grilling.

The secret to this recipe is in the yogurt that is used in the cilantro pesto. Not only does it significantly lower the calories and fat by replacing most of the olive oil, but it also ensures a tender and moist chicken breast. If you haven't tried it before, yogurt is a great way to tenderize meats. We also use it in this Greek Yogurt Parmesan Chicken. 

After some time marinating, the chicken pesto skewers can be baked or grilled. If you want to add veggies, I recommend cutting the chicken in chunks instead of strips. Cherry tomatoes, red onion, bell peppers, zucchini, or summer squash would all be a delicious addition. Serve these chicken skewers with a big green salad, brown rice, or grilled vegetables. 

What You'll Need

Here is everything you need to make these tasty Cilantro Pesto Skewers. 

• Chicken breast: Boneless skinless chicken breast works great for this recipe, but you could also use boneless skinless thighs.
• Greek yogurt: Any plain yogurt will work in the cilantro pesto marinade. The acid in the yogurt helps to tenderize the chicken and helps it soak up all the yummy pesto flavor.
• Cilantro: This pesto marinade uses cilantro instead of the more traditional basil. However, it will also work with fresh basil, parsley, or a combination of fresh herbs.
• Lemon juice: Lemon juice adds flavor and also helps to tenderize the chicken. Make sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice and add the zest for even more lemon flavor.
• Garlic: Pesto should always have some garlic. Fresh garlic is best but you can swap in minced garlic or garlic powder if that's what you have.
• Parmesan cheese: The cheese adds a salty, nutty flavor to the marinade. Nutritional yeast could also be used. If you skip the cheese, make sure to add some extra salt.
• Almonds: Traditional pesto has pine nuts, but they can be very expensive so many times I use almonds. This adds another layer of flavor to the dish but can be omitted if needed. 

Side Dish Ideas

There are so many options for side dishes for this pesto chicken. Consider serving these skewers with:

• Make the whole meal on the grill by pairing the chicken with grilled corn and grilled broccoli.
• Make a hearty side salad like this Healthy Mexican Street Corn Salad or Easy Mediterranean Salad.
• Add these to your favorite grain bowls with some roasted cherry tomatoes and an extra dollop of cilantro pesto.
• Add more tasty skewers to your meal and pair it with these tasty Grilled Vegetable Skewers.

How to Make a Chicken Skewer

There are a few different ways to make chicken skewers depending on what type of chicken you are using. 

For chicken breast, cut the chicken into cubes or long strands and gently thread on soaked wooden skewers. 

For chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks and push them together on the skewer. Make sure the meat is the same thickness on the skewer so it cooks evenly.

For ground chicken, form the chicken into small patties and then wrap them around the skewer, like a Middle Eastern kofta kabob. Make sure the mixture isn't loose or the meat will fall off the skewer.

When adding vegetables to any skewer, make sure they will cook in the same amount of time as the chicken. Otherwise, cook them separately so that the chicken doesn't overcook.