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I’m developing a serious case of summer FOMO. My coping mechanism: eat Caprese salad in as many forms as possible, including these Grilled Pesto Chicken Skewers with tomato and mozzarella.

These Grilled Pesto Chicken Kabobs are the perfect summer dish! EASY recipe with ONLY THREE INGREDIENTS — Serve as appetizer at your next backyard bash, or have the skewers for dinner any night of the week. Healthy and delicious! @wellplated

For those of you who, unlike myself, lack a cooler, younger sibling to keep you updated on hip acronyms, FOMO stands for “Fear of Missing Out.” At the end of every June, I feel prickles of light panic, because one third of summer has disappeared, and I fear I am behind on making the most of it.

How can it possibly be the last day of June, and I have yet to bake my Grammy’s classic shortcake, toast a s’more (though these indoor s’mores bites were a delightful alternative), make these Grilled Stuffed Peppers, or go camping?

Clearly, I have my work cut out for me this July and August.

Grilled Pesto Chicken Skewers — ONLY THREE INGREDIENTS! The flavors scream summer, and these are a great way to use up extra basil and tomatoes you have in your garden. Healthy kebabs that anyone can make! @wellplated

One area where I am pleased to have stayed FOMO-free is my consumption of fresh summer tomatoes and basil. I add a pint (or three) of cherry tomatoes to my cart every time I am in the grocery store, and I am eagerly awaiting this weekend, when I can fill my bag with local heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil at the farmers market.

I’ve been keeping up with our excess supply of tomatoes (if there can be such a thing) by making large plates of Caprese salad, a simple Italian combination of fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil, seasoned with a bit of salt and olive oil.

We munch on some form of Caprese every week, and its summery flavors inspired these grilled pesto chicken skewers.

About These Grilled Chicken Skewers

Ben and I both loved this grilled pesto chicken recipe so much, we made the skewers for dinner two nights in a row, and I happily gobbled the leftovers for lunch the next day.

Honestly, I feel a little outlandish calling these grilled pesto chicken skewers a recipe, because they are so easy to make (just like these Grilled Chicken Tenders). That said, they are also so incredibly good, I couldn’t resist sharing them with you.

Grilled Pesto Chicken Skewers — EASY recipe that screams summer! ONLY THREE INGREDIENTS. These kabobs are perfect for a light summer dinner or party appetizer for your next cookout. Serve kabobs with mozzarella for a Caprese-salad style meal. @wellplated

To make grilled pesto chicken skewers, simply marinate the chicken in good-quality pesto (homemade like my creamy Basil Pesto, or store-bought), thread it onto skewers with cherry or grape tomatoes, then grill. DONE. (Use any leftover pesto to make this delicious Pesto Salmon recipe.)

For the Caprese option, serve the grilled pesto chicken skewers alongside mini mozzarella balls drizzled with a little extra pesto. They’re easy, light, and I’d proudly serve this recipe at any party.

Need more kabob recipes? You’ll love my classic Chicken Kabobs.

More Recipes with Caprese Inspiration

Grilled Chicken Pesto Skewers — No-fuss 3-ingredient kabobs! An easy, light, and healthy summer recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights and summer parties. Can be made a day ahead too! @wellplated

Whether you are looking for a make-ahead appetizer to add to your Fourth of July menu this weekend or a go-to summer weeknight dinner, I can’t imagine anything more fitting than these Grilled Pesto Chicken Skewers. Every bite is simple, perfect, and tastes like the summer days I wish would never end.

Grilled Pesto Chicken Skewers

5 from 1 vote
Grilled Pesto Chicken Skewers with Cherry Tomatoes. EASY recipe that screams summer! ONLY THREE INGREDIENTS. Perfect for a light summer dinner or appetizer.

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes

Servings: 2 -4 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Skewers:

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup prepared pesto
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
  • Canola Oil for grilling

For the Mozzarella Balls (optional):

  • 12 small mozzarella balls
  • 1 tablespoon prepared pesto

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces and 1/2 cup pesto. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. If using wooden skewers, place in water to soak for at least 30 minutes. Place mozzarella balls in a small bowl and toss with remaining 1 tablespoon pesto. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Let both the chicken and the mozzarella stand at room temperature 20 minutes prior to grilling.
  • When ready to cook, preheat an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium. Thread the chicken and tomatoes onto the skewers, alternating as you go. Lightly brush the grill with canola oil to prevent sticking. Cook skewers for 3 minutes on one side, then turn and continue grilling until chicken is cooked through, about 1-2 additional minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature with mozzarella balls.

Notes

Chicken can be marinated up to 1 day in advance.

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of four) without mozzarellaCalories: 204kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 24gFat: 11gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 142mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2g

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

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10 Comments

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  1. I’m totally suffering from summer FOMO, too! I’m visiting my parents, and when we went to a local farm to pick up another round of strawberries yesterday, we found out that strawberry season is basically over. HOW/WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN? Sigh.

    BUT at least there is lots of basil/pesto/tomato season left! Can’t wait to make these skewers :)

  2. Caprese season is never over and that makes me so happy! I love these skewers- so delicious :)

  3. These photos = INCREDIBLE. I just want to reach through the screen and have at these skewers!

    1. I haven’t, but I think chicken thighs would work great! Feel free to substitute if that’s what you prefer.

  4. These look so good, I’ve been obsessed with pesto lately!! Grilling anything on a stick just screams summer to me :)