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Chicken Skewers with Meyer Lemon Salsa

These vibrant chicken skewers with Meyer lemon salsa offer a refreshing and sophisticated take on a healthy grilled dinner. This diabetes-friendly recipe uses skinless chicken thighs for a succulent texture, perfectly complemented by a fragrant marinade of yogurt, garlic, and turmeric. The star of the dish is the Meyer lemon, known for its sweeter, more floral profile compared to standard lemons, which provides a bright contrast to the savoury, lightly spiced meat.

Ideal for a quick midweek meal or a light weekend lunch, this dish is packed with lean protein and fresh botanicals like coriander and cucumber. Serve these charred skewers alongside a crisp green salad or some grilled courgettes for a balanced, low-carbohydrate meal that does not compromise on zest or seasonal flavour.

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Ingredients for Chicken Skewers with Meyer Lemon Salsa

  • 8 Meyer lemons

  • 120ml finely chopped English hothouse cucumber

  • 3 tablespoons thinly sliced spring onions, divided

  • 1 serrano chilli (with seeds), finely chopped

  • Pinch of sugar

  • 1 Kosher salt

  • 675g skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2" pieces

  • 1 Freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander

  • 1/4 cup plain whole-milk yoghurt

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

  • 1 teaspoon cracked coriander seeds

  • 1 teaspoon turmeric (optional)

  • 12 metal skewers

How to make Chicken Skewers with Meyer Lemon Salsa

Using a sharp knife, cut all peel and white pith from lemons; discard. Working over a medium bowl, cut between membranes to release segments into bowl; squeeze in juice from membranes and discard membranes. Strain juice into another bowl.

Combine segments, 1 tablespoon strained lemon juice (reserve remaining juice for another use), cucumber, 2 tablespoons spring onions, and chilli in a small bowl; mix well. Stir in sugar; season salsa with salt and set aside.

Place chicken in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. In a mini-processor or blender, purée 1/4 cup coriander, yoghurt, vegetable oil, garlic, coriander, and turmeric. Pour marinade over chicken; toss to coat. Let marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before continuing.

Preheat grill. Thread 4 pieces of chicken onto each skewer and transfer to a foil-lined baking sheet. Grill, turning once and watching closely to prevent burning, until browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes. (Alternatively, grill skewers over medium-high heat on a gas grill or over medium heat on a charcoal grill.) Transfer skewers to plates. Spoon Meyer lemon salsa over chicken. Garnish with remaining 2 tablespoons coriander and 1 tablespoon spring onions.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 16 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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