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Italian Dressing Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers – Perfect for Summer Days

There is just something about grilling season that makes life feel a little easier. The second the weather starts warming up, I’m already thinking about simple dinners we can throw on the grill without turning the kitchen into a sauna. Summer cooking around here is all about keeping things easy, flavorful, and low stress… and these Italian Dressing Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers check every single box.

Honestly, one of my favorite things about BBQ season is not having to heat up the house. Once those hot summer days hit, the last thing I want to do is stand over the stove or turn on the oven for an hour. I would much rather be outside enjoying the evening while dinner cooks on the grill.

And if you ask my husband what he wants for dinner, there’s a pretty good chance the answer is going to involve chicken. Chicken is easily one of his favorite foods, so we make it a lot around here. I love finding ways to keep it from getting boring, and this recipe has become one of our summer favorites because it’s packed with flavor without requiring a bunch of complicated ingredients.

The best part? The Italian dressing does most of the work for you.

It creates an easy marinade that gives the chicken so much flavor while helping keep it tender and juicy on the grill. It’s one of those simple shortcuts that makes dinner feel effortless, especially on busy nights when you don’t want to think too hard about what to cook.

I also love that I can load these skewers up with fresh summer vegetables. Give me all the bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes this time of year. Summer vegetables just taste different when they’re grilled. They get slightly charred, sweet, and full of flavor, and paired with the marinated chicken, it turns into one of those meals that feels fresh and filling at the same time.

This dinner is also perfect for cookouts, family gatherings, or nights when you just want something simple without creating a giant mess in the kitchen afterward. Everything cooks together on the skewers, cleanup is easy, and everyone can customize them with their favorite vegetables.

Italian Dressing Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers

Another thing I love about making grilled chicken skewers is how versatile they are. You can serve them with rice, pasta salad, corn on the cob, watermelon, or even wrap the chicken and veggies up in a pita the next day for leftovers. Around here, if I can turn one dinner into two meals, I’m calling that a win.

And let’s be honest… food just tastes better outside in the summer.

Something about sitting outside with paper plates, hearing the grill sizzling, and watching the sun start to go down just feels like summer memories in the making. Those are the kinds of meals I remember most growing up, and now they’re the kinds of meals I love making for my own family too.

If you’re looking for an easy summer dinner that’s full of flavor, doesn’t heat up the kitchen, and makes the most of fresh summer vegetables, these Italian Dressing Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers are definitely worth trying.

Italian Dressing Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers

Juicy grilled chicken skewers marinated in zesty Italian dressing and paired with fresh summer vegetables for an easy, flavorful BBQ dinner the whole family will love.

Prep Time 1

Cook Time 15

Total Time 1 15

Equipment

Wooden or metal skewers

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup Italian dressing
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables Bell peppers, red onion, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes (optional)

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine the Italian dressing, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Add chicken and toss to coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for even more flavor.
Prep the Skewers
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes.
Thread chicken and vegetables onto skewers.
Grill
Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
Grill skewers for 10–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Serve warm with your favorite summer sides and enjoy those easy summer BBQ nights.

Notes

Tips

Chicken thighs stay extra juicy on the grill.
Don’t overcrowd the skewers so everything cooks evenly.
Want extra flavor? Brush with a little extra Italian dressing during the last few minutes of grilling.

Serve hot with:

Rice or pasta salad
Grilled corn
Garlic bread
Fresh watermelon
A big bowl of pasta salad

Tips

Chicken thighs stay extra juicy on the grill.
Don’t overcrowd the skewers so everything cooks evenly.
Want extra flavor? Brush with a little extra Italian dressing during the last few minutes of grilling.