Best 5 Middle Eastern Chicken Skewers Recipes

SHISH TAWOOK

Steps:

• In a large bowl, add the ingredients for the marinade (yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, tomato paste, all the seasoning and salt/pepper) and whisk to combine.
• Place the chicken cubes in the same bowl and coat the chicken in the marinade. Cover, and let rest/marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
• Thread the chicken on skewers right before grilling. Add one wedge of onions to each skewer, if desired.
• Grill on medium heat for 5-8 minutes per side.
• Serve with pita bread, lettuce and garlic sauce, if desired.

MIDDLE EASTERN CHICKEN KEBAB

Steps:

• In a large bowl, add all the ingredients except for the chicken and mix well.
• Add chicken and toss to coat well.
• Cover and refrigerate from 3 to 24 hours.
• To cook:
• Preheat your grill to medium-high heat greasing very well.
• Thread onto skewers alternating occasionally with the bell peppers.
• Grill chicken until golden brown and cooked through, turning it occasionally.

MIDDLE EASTERN-INSPIRED HERB AND GARLIC CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine chicken with all but 1 teaspoon of the grated garlic (save that teaspoon for the yogurt sauce), the zest and juice of 1 lemon, oil, parsley, mint, thyme, oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the sesame seeds and sumac, if using. Cover and marinate for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature; you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
• Heat grill or broiler. If grilling, cook chicken over high heat until charred in spots, 4 to 7 minutes. Flip pieces and continue grilling until just cooked through, another 4 to 7 minutes. If broiling, arrange a rack 3 to 4 inches from flame. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spread chicken out in a single layer. Broil chicken, turning halfway through cooking, until well colored and charred in spots, 4 to 7 minutes per side. Be careful that it doesn't burn.
• While chicken cooks, place yogurt in a small bowl. Stir in the reserved grated garlic and lemon zest and season to taste with salt. Serve the chicken drizzled with olive oil, remaining lemon juice to taste, black pepper, parsley and sesame seeds and sumac, if using, with the yogurt alongside for dipping.

MIDDLE EASTERN-STYLE GRILLED CHICKEN KABOBS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, olive oil, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper and garlic.
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up. Thread the chicken onto metal skewers, folding if the pieces are long and thin, alternating with the red onions. Be sure not to cram the skewers. (Note: You'll need between 6-8 skewers.) Place the kabobs on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the marinade all over the meat, coating well. Cover and refrigerate at least eight hours or overnight.
• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. To grease the grill, lightly dip a wad of paper towels in vegetable oil and, using tongs, carefully rub over the grates several times until glossy and coated. Grill the chicken kabobs until golden brown and cooked through, turning the skewers occasionally, 13 to 15 minutes. (The yogurt marinade makes these kabobs prone to sticking to the grill grates; if necessary, use a metal BBQ spatula to scrape underneath the kabobs and release them.) Transfer the kabobs to a platter and serve.
• Note: I've specified boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe; they're juicier and more flavorful than chicken breasts, and they work better in this type of yogurt and lemon-based marinade. They're also much easier to cook without drying out.

MIDDLE EASTERN CHICKEN SKEWERS

Steps:

• If using bamboo skewers, place them in a shallow bowl of water to soak. Coat grill grates with oil or high-heat cooking spray.
• Heat the grill on high ( or load with charcoal & start fire to grey-coated coals & hot heat).
• In a large zip-close plastic bag, combine the cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, paprika, mustard powder and salt. Close the bag and shake to blend the seasonings.
• Place the chicken in the bag, then add the olive oil.
• Close the bag, gently pressing out any air.
• Gently knead the chicken, working the seasonings and oil so it thoroughly coats all of the meat. (I plan to toss it in the fridge overnight at this point).
• Place a chicken tender on each skewer. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until the meat reaches at least 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer.