Name: Middle Eastern-Style Grilled Chicken Kabobs
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 to 6
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 1 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt; 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 2 teaspoons paprika; ½ teaspoon cumin; &frac18; teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (reduce to ½ teaspoon for less heat); Zest from one lemon; 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from one lemon; 1¾ teaspoons salt; ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 5 garlic cloves, minced; 2½ to 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1½-inch pieces (see note); 1 large red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks; Vegetable oil, for greasing the grill

Middle Eastern-Style Grilled Chicken Kabobs

By Jenn Segal

You’ll make these flavorful chicken kabobs all summer long.

Servings: 4 to 6

Prep Time: 35 Minutes

Cook Time: 15 Minutes

Total Time: 50 Minutes, plus at least 8 hours to marinate

Ingredients

1 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons paprika
½ teaspoon cumin
⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (reduce to ½ teaspoon for less heat)
Zest from one lemon
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from one lemon
1¾ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
5 garlic cloves, minced
2½ to 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1½-inch pieces (see note)
1 large red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
Vegetable oil, for greasing the grill

Instructions

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.

Pair with

Basmati Rice Pilaf with Dried Fruit and Almonds

Nutrition Information

Per serving (6 servings)
Calories: 350
Fat: 15g
Saturated fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Sugar: 3g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 41g
Sodium: 871mg
Cholesterol: 186mg

Gluten-Free Adaptable Note

To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.