Chicken Caprese Kebabs

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Total: 22 min Servings: 6
Annie Lampella @ Ketofocus

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published July 21, 2022 • Updated February 1, 2026

Reader Rating
5 Stars (3 Reviews)
BBQEasyEgg FreeItalianNut FreeSummer Grilling

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Caprese Chicken Kebabs are a fun, light version of classic baked chicken Caprese. Cubed chicken breasts alternating with cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella balls, drizzled with balsamic vinegar, make a quick weeknight meal. I love this low carb dinner because it's done in under 30 minutes and my whole family loves grabbing them right off the skewers.

Don’t miss these spicy turmeric chicken kebabs, bacon-wrapped brussel sprout kebabs, or bacon-wrapped asparagus kebabs.

Chicken Caprese skewers are lighter and easier to eat at backyard barbecues or potluck dinners, and they’re a hit with kids because everything is bite-sized.

four kebabs topped with basil and tomatoes around

You can pull the pieces off the skewers and serve them on a big platter drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, or just pass the skewers around.

Serve them with a dark green salad, coleslaw, bread, or roasted vegetables. Pair them with a cold summer drink like lemonade, iced tea or your favorite cocktail.

How to make chicken caprese kebabs

These Caprese chicken kebabs come together fast. Here’s a quick overview. See the recipe card below for the full version.

  1. Preheat the grill.
  2. Thread the skewers. Alternate the chicken and tomatoes on each skewer.
  3. Brush all sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Grill chicken kebabs on medium-high heat on each side until the chicken is cooked through, then remove them from the grill.
  5. Thread the mini mozzarella balls on each end of the skewer.
  6. Drizzle with more olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and serve.

raw chicken threaded with tomatoes on skewers

Key ingredients

Here’s what you need for this low carb version of chicken Caprese. Everything is easy to find at your local grocery store or farmer’s market.

  • Chicken – Can use chicken breast, chicken thighs, or tenderloins. Chicken thighs have more flavor and stay juicy on the grill. Tenderloins and breast meat are leaner but dry out faster if overcooked.
  • Tomatoes – Use either grape or cherry tomatoes.
  • Mozzarella balls – Grab the small balls of mozzarella cheese. If you can’t find them, just cut regular mozzarella into small chunks.
  • Fresh basil leaves – Slice up and top your dish with fresh basil.
  • Balsamic vinegar – Balsamic vinegar is lower in sugar than balsamic glaze, but both work. You can also make your own glaze with sugar-free sweetener.
  • Olive oil – Keeps the chicken moist, especially if using breast meat. Also prevents sticking on the grill.
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Chicken Caprese Kebabs

5 (3) Prep 10m Cook 12m Total 22m 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken thighs, breast or tenderloin, cubed
  • 8 oz grape tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 8 oz mozzarella cheese balls
  • 3-4 basil leaves, julienned
  • balsamic vinegar & olive oil for drizzling

Step by Step Instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1
Thread the skewers

Thread the skewers, alternating between tomato and two chunks of chicken until you get to the end of the skewer.

threading a chunk of chicken into a skewer with grape tomatoes
Tip If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20-60 minutes to prevent burning or splintering on the grill.
2
Season

Season the skewers with olive oil and salt and pepper.

drizzling oil on uncooked kebabs
Tip You can toss the chicken pieces in olive oil, salt and pepper before threading onto the kebab stick.
3
Grill or bake

Grill over indirect heat for 5-6 minutes each side or until chicken is cooked through. Or bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until cooked through.

tomato and chicken kebabs cooking on a grill
4
Add mozzarella

Add two mozzarella cheese balls to both ends of each skewer. Top with fresh basil and drizzle more olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

mozzarella cheese balls added to the end of a skewer filled with chicken and cherry tomatoes
Nutrition Per Serving
303 Calories
18.1g Fat
32.3g Protein
1.3g Net Carbs
2.1g Total Carbs
6 Servings
Nutrition disclaimer

The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.

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grilled chicken caprese kebabs on a rack

What is chicken caprese

Chicken Caprese is a flavorful dish made with breaded boneless skinless chicken breasts topped with fresh mozzarella, tomato slices, and fresh basil.

It’s then baked in an oven until the chicken is cooked and the cheese is melty and bubbly. The flavor combination is unique and delicious.

This kebab version is perfect for busy weeknights because prep is minimal and cleanup is even easier. You don’t even need forks! It’s one of my go-to keto dinners when I want something the whole family will eat without complaints.

Variations

Here are some variations you can use to make these Caprese chicken skewers. 
  • Drizzle basil pesto instead of balsamic vinegar on top after they’re done cooking.  
  • Make a balsamic reduction by combining balsamic vinegar and sugar-free sweetener in a saucepan and let it simmer over medium heat until it’s slightly reduced.
  • Add veggies. Slide in some bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms for additional veggies.
  • Play with cheeses. Use a different type of mini cheese balls like smoked gouda or cheddar.  
  • Season or marinate the chicken cubes before threading them on the skewers to add extra flavor. You can add onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes for this.    
chicken caprese skewers with mozzarella, chicken and tomatoes

Skewers

You can use a couple of types of skewers with your Caprese kebabs. Metal: Buying a set of metal skewers means you get to keep them and use them every time you make any type of kebabs. This also means you must clean them after each use instead of using wooden skewers. Wood: Wooden skewers are great if you don’t want to have less to clean up after eating dinner. They must also be soaked in water for 20 minutes before threading the chicken and tomatoes. This keeps the wood from burning while on the grill.

Other meat to use

Chicken breasts work well with tomatoes and mozzarella, but you can easily swap in other meats.  Make your choice based on what you already have in the fridge or freezer, the sides you want to serve, or the freshest selection at the grocery store.  Some options include steak, pork chops, fish, or shrimp.
kebab on a cooling rack with tomato, chicken and cheese balls and topped with basil

How to tell when the chicken is done

The key to cooking juicy chicken Caprese bites is to ensure it’s pulled from the heat as soon as it reaches the appropriate internal temperature.  You don’t want to undercook chicken because it could contain salmonella; however, you also don’t want to overcook it because it will dry out.  Use a digital thermometer to check the temperature while it cooks and remove it from the heat as soon as it reaches 165°F. Taking the temperature will ensure that it’s cooked through and still juicy on the inside.

How to serve

This Caprese recipe can easily stand on its own as an easy meal, or you can add side dishes to fill it out. Some options include avocado cucumber salad, keto antipasto salad, easy flaky keto biscuits, or easy keto cornbread. 

Storage information & meal prep instructions

To refrigerate: Store leftover chicken, tomatoes, and cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. You can eat them cold or heat them in the microwave or air fryer until heated through. To meal prep: This is the perfect make-ahead dish. You can cube the chicken, thread the pieces with the tomatoes on a skewer, and prepare the cheese. Keep them in the fridge for up to three days until you’re ready to grill them. This would be a great time to marinate them if you want to add some extra flavor.
Chicken Caprese Kebabs

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I top Caprese chicken kebabs with?

You can drizzle balsamic vinegar on the kabobs or use homemade pesto, creamy avocado dressing, olive oil, or a roasted red pepper sauce.

Do I need to grill Caprese chicken kabobs?

Grilling gives them the best flavor and texture, but it's not required. You can cook them on the stovetop in a large skillet or broil them in the oven instead.

What’s the best type of cheese to use to make Caprese skewers?

The best cheese for making Caprese kabobs is a soft, melty cheese like mozzarella or gouda.

About the Author
Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis, she has over 14 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism.

Learn more about Annie View My Cookbook

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  1. Annie Lampella
    Annie Jun 2, 2025

    Hi Elizabeth, thank you so much for your lovely comment! I'm thrilled to hear you enjoyed the Chicken Caprese Kebabs-fresh, simple flavors like that are some of my favorites too. You're in luck-I do have a cookbook coming out that’s packed with recipes just like that one! It’s full of protein-rich, low-carb dishes designed to support wellness and longevity, and it’s available now for pre-order here: https://www.amazon.com/Protein-Packed-Low-Carb-High-Protein-Longevity/dp/1628605642. I’d absolutely love for you to check it out!

    Reply
  2. K
    Kayla Mendoza May 12, 2025

    These kebabs are so easy to make and perfect for a quick dinner. Loved the fresh flavors with the balsamic glaze!

    Reply
  3. M
    Monica P May 9, 2025

    These were super easy to put together and my husband loved them. The mozzarella and basil gave a really fresh flavor.

    Reply
  4. R
    Rachel M. Apr 2, 2025

    Super easy to make and tasted great! I'm a busy mom and it's hard to find quick keto dinners the kids will actually eat-but this one was a win!

    Reply

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