Banana Pepper Grilled Chicken Skewers

^{This post has been sponsored by Miller's. All opinions expressed are my own.}

Perfect for summer grilling or easy bistro-style weeknight dinners, our Banana Pepper Grilled Chicken Skewers have you covered. This recipe features grilled marinated chicken skewers seared to crisp perfection - and yes, this recipe works on the grill, or stovetop in a cast-iron pan or griddle.

In this post, you'll learn how to marinate, skewer, and then grill some delicious chicken skewers - with an important twist. The star of this show is Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce, which we brush on during the grilling process. Miller's Banana Pepper sauce is a delicious mix of chili pepper goodness, with sweet and spicy notes, that gives the chicken a lovely glaze. Perfect for recipes like this, or as a replacement for mayo or mustard on sandwiches, grab a bottle (or several!) of Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce, and I promise it will become your next craving.

Best of all, this recipe is incredibly versatile. Serve it with warm pita, fresh veggies, and olives for a traditional Greek platter, or disassemble the skewers to build wraps and salads. However you serve it, this recipe is sure to impress, whether you're entertaining guests under the sun or enjoying a bistro-style meal for a relaxed weekend.

Now, without further delay, let's get to it.

What to Expect - Recipe Overview

Taste and Texture

A mix of bright and savory flavors, all fresh from the grill - your quintessential warm weather combo. We've got citrus, herbal, peppery, and umami notes courtesy of the marinade, with chili pepper goodness and a slight kick from Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce. Meanwhile, the texture is beautifully balanced: a crisp coating from the grill, and succulent, well-seasoned interior.

Difficulty Level

This is a beginner-friendly recipe that doesn't skimp on flavor or presentation - just the opposite. Marinating the chicken is a simple matter of mixing the ingredients and then letting the chicken marinate. From there, we thread the chicken onto the skewers. Again, nothing complicated. After that, it's a simple matter of grilling the chicken and plating. All beginner-friendly.

Preparation Process

The prep for these skewers is pretty straight forward, coming down to just three main steps, all of which are fairly simply.

1. Marinate the chicken. We start the recipe off by marinading the chicken in olive oil, oregano, and lime juice mixture. We want the chicken to marinate for at least an hour, or up to overnight.
2. Thread the chicken on the skewers. We thread the marinated chicken onto skewers. This is probably the messiest part of the recipe.
3. Grill the Chicken. We then grill the chicken, either on the barbecue, or on a stovetop griddle. While the chicken grills, we brush it with Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce. The total grill time should be about 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.

Pairings

• Pitas: Homemade flatbreads are delicious, and add a lovely bity of texture contrast. They are the perfect 'bread' for this dish. Super simple. I cannot recommend them enough.
• Tzatziki: This is a must-have pairing in my opinion. A fresh, homemade tzatziki would be delicious and cooling on the grilled chicken. It's super simple to prepare, and would provide cooling contrast for the Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce. I make my Tzatziki with Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, grated garlic (for maximum release of the juices), fresh dill, salt and pepper.
• Greek Salad: A big, leafy green salad with plenty of sliced peppers, cucumbers, and olives would be delicious. It's a classic pairing with grilled skewers a reason.
• Wine Pairing: My go-to wine pairings would be a good Assyrtiko, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, or - as a nice accompaniment to a warm weather dinner - a light rosé, which I think would pair particularly nicely with the fresh lemon and herbs.

Banana Pepper Grilled Chicken Skewers - Ingredient Checklist

For the Chicken and Marinade

• 2½ - 3 lbs. boneless chicken breast, cubed
  • Pro-Tip: Facilitating even cooking is important, and that means you want to cut the chicken in uniform pieces so that they all cook at roughly the same rate. I cut mine into two-inch cubes.
  • Substitution: This recipe works just fine with pork, beef, or even lamb. Just be sure to adjust for the different cooking times of those different meats.
• ½ cup olive oil
  • Tip: The olive forms part of the flavor profile for the chicken, so I really do recommend using a decent extra virgin olive oil in the marinade.
• 2-3 tbs Lime Juice
  • Tip: I say this every chance I get, and here I go again - if you want bright citrus notes, you want fresh lime or lemon juice. Bottled lime juice features preservatives and additives to keep the juice from breaking down chemically, and that dilutes the juice itself. Furthermore, lemon juice begins breaking down the instant it leaves the lemon. So, if fresh is an option, use it.
  • Substitution: If bottled lime or lemon juice is all that's available, it will get the job done.
• ½ tsp. salt
  • Tip: I'd recommend using a larger grain salt, such as kosher or sea salt, but plain table salt will get the job done.
• ½ tsp. coarse-ground black pepper
  • Tip: Use fresh ground for the best aromatics.
• 1 tbsp. dried oregano, crushed
  • Tip: Be sure to grind the oregano down, either in your palms or in a mortar and pestle to release its natural juices.
  • Substitution: I wouldn't recommend using fresh oregano, as it can quickly become very overpowering
• ½ tsp. sugar
  • Tip: Balances the acidity of the lemon and enhances browning.

For Cooking and Assembly

• Skewers
  • Tip: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
  • Substitution: Metal skewers are reusable and don't require soaking, and make for a nice presentation.
• Miller's Sauce (for brushing during cooking)
  • Tip: Brush generously during and after cooking for a golden glaze and added flavor.
  • Note: This award-winning Banana Pepper Sauce, which is made with vine-ripened peppers that have been picked at the peak of their freshness, creating a sweet and spicy sauce with bold flavor. Use more or less depending on your spice preference.
• Olive oil (for brushing the pan)
  • Tip: Just a light coating is needed to prevent sticking on a cast iron pan or grill.

Tips for Preparing the Perfect Chicken Skewers

Preparation Tips

• Even Slicing: This is perhaps the most important tip I can give, because it facilitates even cooking. Even cooking means juicy meat throughout. Try to slice uniform, two-inch cubes. Uneven pieces means that some chicken will cook before others, and that results in some pieces being dry and overcooked, with other being undercooked. Not fun. Aim for uniform cubes.
• Marinate Overnight for Best Flavor: While you can get away with only an hour of marinating, for best results allow the chicken to marinate for several hours or even overnight. This allows the lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, and Parmesan to deeply infuse into the meat - enhancing flavor overall.
• Don't Skip the Cheese: The grated Parmesan in the marinade brings both umami depths and some savory cheese flavor. It also helps to create a slight crust on the chicken during cooking.

Cooking Tips

• Preheat the Pan: This is probably the next most important tip I can give. Do 'not' set your skewers on a cold griddle, pan, or grill. Instead, you want the pan hot so that the skewers start cooking immediately, and begin forming a crust, which locks in juices.
• Light Oil Brushing: Lightly brush the pan with olive oil, but don't overdo it. Too much oil can cause splattering, inhibit browning, or even make the chicken soggy. On the flipside, too little oil and the skewers will stick.
• Use a Meat Thermometer: Check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it's fully cooked without overcooking.
• Brush with Miller's Sauce While Cooking: Don't wait until the end. Instead, brush once early and again when turning for a beautiful caramelized glaze.

Serving Tips

• Build a Platter: For me, skewers are all about the presentation. Serve with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, salad greens, and warm flatbread or pita for a proper bistro-style spread.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep the chicken and marinade a day ahead, then quickly cook and assemble before serving. This also allows you to marinate the chicken fully overnight.
• Double the Batch: These skewers disappear fast! Trust me on that one, so consider doubling the recipe for gatherings or leftovers.

Video for Banana Pepper Grilled Chicken Skewers

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And that's our Miller's Grilled Chicken Skewers! If you enjoyed today's recipe, or have any questions or suggestions, be sure to let us know in the comments below, we always love hearing from you. And, of course, be sure to grab a few bottles of Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce at a retailer near you! You won't be disappointed, I promise.

Happy Grilling!

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