

If you’re planning a barbecue that’s juicy, colorful, and crowd-pleasing, chicken and vegetable skewers are a perfect choice. They cook quickly, look beautiful on the grill, and are easy to customize for low‑carb and keto-friendly diets. Below is a flavorful, simple recipe plus grilling tips, substitutions, and clear nutrition information so you can plan meals with confidence.
Why you’ll love these chicken and vegetable skewers
- Fast: 10–15 minutes on the grill after a quick marinade.
- Versatile: swap vegetables or spices to suit dietary needs.
- Healthy: high in protein, moderate in fat — easy to keep low in net carbs.
- Attractive: vibrant peppers and zucchini make a great presentation for any BBQ.
Recipe (Serves 4)
Ingredients
- 1.25 lb (about 567 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1–1.5′ cubes
- 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1′ pieces (~164 g)
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, cut into 1′ pieces (~164 g)
- 1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2′ slices (~196 g)
- 1 small red onion, cut into 1′ pieces (~70 g)
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano (or 1 tbsp fresh)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Optional: 8–12 wooden or metal skewers (if using wooden, soak 30 minutes)
Marinade and assembly
- In a bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Add chicken cubes and toss to coat. Marinate 20–30 minutes (up to 2 hours in the fridge).
- Thread chicken and vegetables onto skewers, alternating colors and pieces for even cooking.
- Preheat grill to medium-high (about 400–450°F / 200–230°C). Oil grates lightly.
- Grill skewers 10–15 minutes, turning every 2–3 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and vegetables are charred-tender.
- Rest 3–5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley or a squeeze of lemon if desired.
Quick grilling tips
- Cut pieces uniform in size for even cooking.
- If using cherry tomatoes or mushrooms add them near the end to avoid overcooking.
- For extra char, place skewers directly over heat for the last minute on each side.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked but not dry.
Keto / Low‑Carb Notes and Substitutions
- This recipe is already low in net carbs, but to reduce carbs further: omit the red onion or replace with extra zucchini or mushrooms.
- Avoid sweet marinades (honey, agave, or sugary sauces). Use lemon, vinegar, herbs, and olive oil.
- Add fattier sides (avocado salad, olive tapenade) for a more keto-balanced plate.
Estimated Nutrition (per serving — recipe makes 4 servings)
Note: Values are approximate and calculated from the ingredient list above. Use a nutrition calculator for exact numbers based on brands/portion sizes.
Per serving (1/4 of recipe):
- Calories: ~350 kcal
- Protein: ~44 g
- Total fat: ~15 g
- Total carbohydrates: ~9.4 g
- Dietary fiber: ~2.5 g
- Sugar alcohols: 0 g
- Net carbs (Total carbs − fiber − sugar alcohols): ~6.9 g
Recipe total (all 4 servings):
- Total carbohydrates: ~37.5 g
- Total fiber: ~10.0 g
- Sugar alcohols: 0 g
- Net carbs (total): ~27.4 g
Why these numbers matter for keto/low‑carb
- Sugar alcohols are 0 g because the recipe uses no sugar alcohol-based sweeteners.
- Net carbs per serving (~6.9 g) make this an easy main course for many low‑carb and keto meal plans — pair with leafy greens or a fat-forward side for a balanced plate.
Variations to try
- Mediterranean: add olives, feta crumble after grilling, and oregano.
- Spicy: add 1/2 tsp cayenne or a splash of hot sauce to the marinade.
- Herbaceous: use chimichurri or pesto (watch pesto brand carbs) as a finishing sauce.
- Lower-carb swap: replace bell pepper with extra zucchini and mushrooms to drop carbs further.
Final notes
Chicken and vegetable skewers are a great go-to for an easy, healthy BBQ that satisfies meat-eaters and vegetable-lovers alike. They’re flexible, colorful, and — with the ingredient choices above — friendly to low‑carb and keto diets. For exact nutrition tailored to your ingredients, enter your specific brands and portion sizes into a trusted nutrition calculator.
Enjoy the grill — savor the flavor, and feel free to ask if you want a keto-only version or a printable shopping list!

