If there’s one dish that makes summer sing, it’s Grilled Chicken Peach Kebabs! This colorful, sweet-and-savory combo is guaranteed to become a star at your next backyard BBQ or sunny weeknight dinner. With juicy chicken, caramelized peaches, and an irresistible apricot-soy glaze, every bite bursts with flavor and good vibes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbeatable Sweet & Savory Flavor: The rich apricot-soy marinade with summer peaches creates a mouthwatering layer of bright, caramelized goodness.
- Perfect for Grilling Season: Grilled Chicken Peach Kebabs turn any cookout into something special with minimal fuss and ingredients you probably have on hand.
- Family & Crowd Friendly: These kebabs are a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike—and they’re easy to scale up for gatherings.
- Visually Stunning: Golden chicken, rosy peaches, and pops of purple onion make these kebabs a true feast for the eyes and the tastebuds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of my favorite things about Grilled Chicken Peach Kebabs is how a handful of fresh, everyday ingredients come together for unbeatable flavor. Each one brings its own unique vibe—think peppery onion, golden peaches, and that luscious sticky-sweet glaze.
- Light olive oil: This creates a silky marinade base and helps everything caramelize beautifully on the grill.
- Apricot jam: Adds natural fruity sweetness and gives the glaze a gorgeous glossy finish—peach preserves would also work in a pinch.
- Soy sauce: The salty backbone that balances the fruit and gives depth to each bite.
- Balsamic vinegar: A little tang and richness that plays so well with chicken and peaches.
- Dry minced onion: Tiny dried onion pieces swell as they marinate, infusing the chicken with savory punch.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Cut into bite-size pieces for fast, even grilling—make sure they’re all about the same size.
- Onion (fresh): Chunks of onion turn sweet and slightly charred on the grill, adding depth and texture.
- Fresh peaches: Juicy and ripe, quartered for nice big pieces that hold up to grilling and soak up marinade flavor.
Variations
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your Grilled Chicken Peach Kebabs! Depending on what’s in your fridge—or everyone’s cravings—you can easily swap, add, or adjust ingredients so every skewer fits your vibe and table.
- Use different stone fruits: Try nectarines, plums, or even chunks of pineapple for a fun twist on the classic.
- Switch up the protein: Boneless pork tenderloin, shrimp, or even firm tofu (for a vegetarian version) grill up beautifully with the same marinade.
- Add veggies: Bell peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes add color and extra grill flavor to your kebabs.
- Low-sugar or gluten-free: Swap in reduced-sugar jam and tamari to fit your needs without losing that irresistible stickiness and taste.
How to Make Grilled Chicken Peach Kebabs
Step 1: Make the Marinade
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apricot jam, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and dried minced onion. You want everything smooth and glossy—this is where all the sweet-savory magic starts!
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
Add your chicken pieces to the bowl, turning them gently so every little bit is coated. Let them soak in those flavors for at least 30 minutes. If you’ve got extra time, an hour or two in the fridge will make the flavor even better!
Step 3: Thread the Skewers
When you’re ready to grill, alternate threading chicken, fresh peach quarters, and onion chunks onto skewers. Mixing up the ingredients creates gorgeous color and even cooking. (If you’re using wooden skewers, don’t forget to soak them!)
Step 4: Prep the Basting Sauce
Pour any leftover marinade into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil for 2–3 minutes, stirring often. This step makes the sauce safe to use as a basting glaze while you grill, and it thickens into something almost syrupy—yum!
Step 5: Grill to Perfection
Preheat your grill to medium heat. Arrange the kebabs and cook, turning and basting frequently with that luscious glaze. After 10–15 minutes, the chicken should be deeply golden and cooked through, and the peaches beautifully blistered. Now it’s time to dig in!
Pro Tips for Making Grilled Chicken Peach Kebabs
- Marinade Magic: For ultra-juicy chicken, let your pieces marinate as long as you can—even overnight if you’re prepping ahead.
- Peach Ripeness: Choose peaches that are ripe but still slightly firm—they’ll hold up better on the grill and release the perfect amount of juice.
- Glaze Like a Pro: Use a pastry brush to baste every few minutes while grilling—this locks in flavor and gets you that signature caramelized finish.
- Uniform Pieces: Keep your chicken, peaches, and onion pieces roughly the same size for even grilling and gorgeous presentation.
How to Serve Grilled Chicken Peach Kebabs
Garnishes
Scatter freshly chopped herbs like basil or mint over the hot kebabs for a pop of color and cool contrast. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a squeeze of fresh lemon brightens the dish and balances those sweet flavors perfectly.
Side Dishes
Light sides work best—think grilled asparagus (my go-to!), a cold quinoa salad, or simple herby rice. Anything that soaks up a little extra glaze will be a winner next to your Grilled Chicken Peach Kebabs.
Creative Ways to Present
Pile skewers high on a rustic platter with extra peach wedges for color, or serve each guest their own individual kebab “bouquet” in a mason jar or tall glass. For parties, pull the chunks off the skewers and toss everything over a big bed of greens for a showstopping summer salad.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer leftover skewers to an airtight container as soon as they’ve cooled, and pop them in the fridge. They’ll stay tasty for up to 3 days—perfect for easy lunches or a second round of summer flavor.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked chicken and peaches, though the texture of the fruit gets softer after thawing. If you want to prep ahead, freeze the uncooked, marinated chicken separately and add fresh peaches right before grilling for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, arrange the kebabs in a single layer on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes, or until heated through. This method helps crisp up the edges without drying the chicken.
FAQs
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Can I make Grilled Chicken Peach Kebabs indoors?
Absolutely! If you don’t have outdoor grill access, use a grill pan or broil the kebabs in your oven—the goal is high heat for great caramelization. Just watch closely so the sugars in the marinade don’t burn.
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How do I keep peaches from falling off the skewer?
Cut your peach quarters thick and wide, and make sure they’re pressed snugly between chicken and onion. Slightly firmer (not overripe) peaches help too!
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Can I marinate the chicken overnight?
Yes! Marinating the chicken overnight infuses maximum flavor and juiciness. Just keep it tightly covered in the fridge, and thread onto skewers when you’re ready to grill.
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Is there a way to make this recipe spicy?
Definitely! Add a touch of crushed red pepper or a diced jalapeño to the marinade to give your Grilled Chicken Peach Kebabs a subtle, summery kick.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something that’s vibrant, fresh, and a total crowd-pleaser, these Grilled Chicken Peach Kebabs deliver every time. Give them a try—you might just find they become your new favorite reason to fire up the grill!
PrintGrilled Chicken Peach Kebabs Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Grilled Chicken Peach Kebabs are a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors, making them a delicious choice for your next barbecue or summer gathering. Tender chicken, juicy peaches, and caramelized onions come together on a skewer, creating a mouthwatering dish that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Marinade:
- 1/4 cup light olive oil
- 1/2 cup apricot jam
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon dry minced onion
Kebabs:
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into pieces
- 1 onion, cut into chunks
- 4 peaches, cut into quarters
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine the olive oil, apricot jam, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and dry minced onion. Whisk until well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Assemble the Kebabs: Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers, alternating with onion and peach pieces.
- Prepare the Glaze: Pour the leftover marinade into a saucepan and boil for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Grill the Kebabs: Grill the skewers over medium heat, turning frequently for 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Baste with the marinade while grilling.
- Serve: Serve the kebabs with grilled asparagus on the side and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 kebab
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg