Description
Chicken Tikka Kebab is a flavorful and juicy grilled chicken dish marinated in a spiced yogurt mixture infused with ginger, garlic, and aromatic Indian spices. Perfectly charred on the outside and tender on the inside, these skewers make a delicious appetizer or main course served with fresh lime wedges and a dollop of yogurt for a refreshing finish.
Ingredients
Marinade
- ⅓ cup whole milk Greek yogurt (plus more for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger or ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 large red onion (cut into 1-inch pieces)
To Serve
- Lime wedges (or lemon, for garnish)
- Chopped cilantro (for garnish)
- Greek yogurt (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yogurt, tomato paste, olive oil, garlic, and ginger until well combined. Then add all the spices — turmeric, garam masala, coriander, cumin, cayenne pepper — along with the kosher salt and whisk again to incorporate evenly.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thigh pieces to the bowl and stir thoroughly to coat every piece evenly with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat deeply.
- Skewer the Chicken and Onions: Remove the marinated chicken from the fridge. Thread the chicken pieces and red onion chunks alternately onto metal skewers, placing a piece of onion between each chicken piece to keep them separated and flavorful.
- Preheat and Oil the Grill: Preheat your outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking before placing the skewers on the grill.
- Grill the Kebabs: Place the skewers onto the grill. Cook until the chicken easily releases from the grates and has solid grill marks, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Rotate continuously and cook until the chicken is evenly charred and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, which should take about 22 to 25 minutes total.
- Garnish and Serve: Once grilled, remove the skewers from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve immediately with lime wedges and a side of Greek yogurt for dipping.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for at least 1 hour improves flavor and tenderness, but up to 4 hours is ideal.
- Using boneless skinless chicken thighs keeps the meat juicy and flavorful during grilling.
- If you don’t have an outdoor grill, a grill pan or broiler in your oven can be substituted.
- Ensure the internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Use metal skewers to avoid burning; if using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before grilling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Indian
