Description
Chicken Tikka Kebab is a flavorful Indian dish featuring tender chicken pieces marinated in a spiced yogurt mixture, then grilled or broiled to perfection. This recipe offers juicy, slightly charred kebabs infused with aromatic spices like cumin, garam masala, turmeric, and coriander, making it perfect as a main course served alongside naan, rice, or a cooling yogurt sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Cooking
- Wooden or metal skewers (if wooden, soaked in water for 30 minutes before use)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, ground cumin, paprika, garam masala, turmeric, coriander, minced garlic, grated ginger, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the cubed chicken pieces to the marinade and stir thoroughly to ensure each piece is coated evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to develop deeply.
- Preheat and Prepare Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking. Preheat your grill or oven broiler to medium-high heat for optimal cooking conditions.
- Assemble the Kebabs: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a small gap between each piece to promote even cooking and heat circulation.
- Cook the Kebabs: Grill or broil the kebabs for 10–15 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking and charring. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and develop slightly charred edges for that authentic flavor.
- Serve: Serve the hot chicken tikka kebabs immediately with accompaniments such as naan bread, basmati rice, tangy chutney, or a cooling yogurt dipping sauce.
Notes
- For oven broiling, arrange skewers on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil on high heat, flipping halfway through the cooking time for even charring.
- Add vegetables such as bell peppers or onions to the skewers for extra flavor and attractive color contrast.
- Marinating overnight enhances the depth of flavor and tenderness of the chicken.
- Ensure the internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F to guarantee safety.
