The United States is gearing up to celebrate its 244th birthday this July 4, and many Americans plan to celebrate by firing up the grills to celebrate with a good old-fashioned Independence Day barbecue. While burgers and hot dogs are certainly tasty, the team here at Moving Analytics came together to share a heart-healthy recipe that everyone can enjoy.

Marinated Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Kebabs

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup extra- virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced  
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon ground pepper 
• 16 cherry tomatoes
• 12 medium mushrooms 
• 1 medium zucchini (8 ounces), cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 4 (1/2 inch) slices red onion, cut into quarters
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces‍

‍Directions:

• Whisk oil, vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, and pepper in a large bowl.
• Add tomatoes, mushrooms, chicken, zucchini and onion slices and toss well to coat.
• Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, and up to 4 hours.
• Preheat the grill to a medium temperature.
• Thread the vegetables and chicken onto eight 8-inch skewers. (if using wood skewers, it can be helpful to soak them in cold water for about 30 minutes)
• Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side or until chicken is cooked through. (160 degrees if you're checking temperatures!)