Chicken Keto Lunch Box Recipes

Keto Italian Chicken Skewers

Keto Italian Chicken Skewers [Video]

Keto Italian Chicken Skewers are incredibly easy to make, require only a few ingredients, are healthy and full of flavor. Perfect for lunch, dinner and to add to lunch-boxes.

If you are looking for more Keto recipes, our Dill Pickle Dip is creamy and delicious, so is our bacon packed Buffalo Crack Chicken Dip. Speaking of crack chicken, you can make this Instant Pot Crack Chicken and serve it over zucchini noodles.

Keto Italian Chicken Skewers

Our collection of Keto recipes is growing, as we are huge fans of this eating lifestyle. This homemade, Keto-friendly recipe is a staple in our house. It’s quick, it’s easy and the best part is that it can be served as is or paired with so many yummy side dishes. We love serving it with Keto Mashed Cauliflower and a light salad on the side.

They are great served with salads, on their own, on top of zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. The meat gets very tender from marinating for a few hours and soaks in all the fresh and citrusy flavors, becoming juicy and aromatic. It turns out unbelievably juicy and tender, with a delicious aroma from the Italian herbs and lemon.

Is chicken good on a Keto diet?

While protein is important in any diet, the keto lifestyle isn’t so much about protein as it is about a good balance of protein and healthy fats. That’s why in this recipe we use a good amount of virgin olive oil and also buttermilk.

Why do you soak the chicken in buttermilk?

Because buttermilk is only slightly acidic, it is capable of tenderizing the meat without toughening up the meat like if you would only use lemon juice. The enzymes present in buttermilk also help in breaking down the protein in the chicken, resulting in tender meat.

What can I use as a substitute for buttermilk?

For each cup of buttermilk, you can mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with 1 cup of milk. Stir, then let stand for 5 minutes. Use in recipes.

What is a good marinade for Keto Chicken Skewers?

See the recipe for measurements, but here are the ingredients that we use to create a flavorful and refreshing marinade:

  • Olive oil
  • Buttermilk
  • Italian seasoning herbs mix
  • Fresh parsley
  • Garlic
  • Lemon
  • Salt and pepper

How to make Keto Italian Chicken Skewers:

  1. Prepare the chicken: first, clean and pat dry the chicken, after which cut it into 3-inch cubes.
  2. Make the Marinade: Mix in a medium bowl all of the marinade ingredients and add the chicken pieces to it. Marinate in the fridge, preferably for a few hours for best results.
  3. Skewers: Next, arrange the meat on wooden skewers.
  4. Cook: Either use a grill pan or an outdoor grill to cook the chicken skewers until the meat is golden brown.
  5. Serve: The skewers are great served with a yogurt-based sauce or just a drizzle of lemon juice over a green salad.

Can you cook Keto Italian Chicken Skewers in the oven?

  • You can definitely cook them in the oven.
  • First, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and spray with cooking oil a cooling/baking rack, place it into a rimmed baking sheet.
  • Next, arrange the chicken skewers onto the baking rack.
  • After that, bake them for 10 minutes, baste with the marinade and turn over. Bake for another 10 minutes, baste again and bake for 5 more minutes or until done.

Can you put wooden skewers in the oven?

To use wooden skewers in the oven, first, soak them in water for at least half an hour before using. Soaking can prevent them from catching on fire, which ultimately leads to all your meat and veggies falling to the bottom of the grill.

More Keto recipes:

Recipe Tips:

  • Chicken meat can become tough and rubbery sometimes, taking the time to marinate it. Marinating will create a huge difference in taste and texture.
  • If you don’t have all the marinade ingredients on hand, you can simply mix some lemon juice, olive oil and parsley to marinate the meat.
  • This recipe is also great to make in advance as it reheats well. The leftovers are delicious and can also be added on top of salads.
  • We like making these skewers and adding them to lunch-boxes. They are fun to eat, healthy, mess-free, taste great cold. Delicious when paired with fruits and veggies for a complete meal.

Keto Italian Chicken Skewers

  • Prep Time10 MIN
  • Cook Time20 MIN
  • Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 - 2 pounds boneless and skinless chicken breast cut into 3 inch cubes
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil plus extra for cooking
  • 1/2  cup  buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon  dried Italian seasoning herbs mix
  • 1/4 cup parsley chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4  teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Clean chicken by running it under cold water, pat dry with paper towels. Cut and discard any fat pieces.
  • Cut chicken into 3 inch cubes and add to a large ziplock bag.
  • In a medium bowl mix the rest of the ingredients: olive oil, buttermilk, Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Whisk until fully combined. Pour the mixture on top of the chicken.
  • Close the ziplock bag, shake to coat the chicken evenly in the marinade and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. Preferably, shake and toss the chicken during this period a few times, so it marinates evenly.
  • For outdoor grilling, heat the grill until hot and spray it with cooking oil. For indoor cooking, place a cast iron grill pan oven medium-high heat and add to it about 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
  • If desired, arrange the chicken pieces on wooden skewers. Grill for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the middle.
  • Serve with a salad, lemon and your favorite dressing for dipping.

Nutrition Facts

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Comments

(19)
Amanda

Amanda

AMAZING chicken recipe. I made this for some extended family we had over the other night and everyone loved them. A few even asked for the recipe so they could make them at home. Definitely recommend. Thank you!


Catalina Castravet

Catalina Castravet

I am so happy that you liked it!

Mike Zuchowski

Mike Zuchowski

Hi all! Lots of comments about thinking of making, however made this yesterday for dinner tonight. I chose the 24hour marinade path. I was a little concerned with the lemon juice in buttermilk. That being said this was really good served with tzatziki sauce . I do recommend!

amber

amber

what is the serving size?

Melanie Stevens

Melanie Stevens

Can you do these in the oven


Catalina Castravet

Catalina Castravet

Yes, sure! They will be great!

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