Marinating chicken with yogurt? Although it might sound strange, this is a method that has recently become a favorite of mine. Coating the chicken in yogurt helps the seasoning stick to the meat, and keeps it moist while cooking.
This tandoori-style chicken is marinated in yogurt and a blend of spices, the end result ranging in color from red to yellow depending on the assortment of spices used. This dish gets its name from the tandoor oven it is traditionally cooked in. This special type of oven is cylindrical, usually made from clay, and heated with wood or coal to achieve very high temperatures.
Due to the handling of raw chicken in this recipe, I’m going to label this as an Intermediate skill level. The slick, cold, and slimy texture of raw chicken is something that can deter a new chef– when I was in my twenties, if I was the one preparing the chicken, I couldn’t eat the final product! Latex gloves got me through this phase, and I would recommend the same to anyone who dislikes handling raw chicken. This element of the preparation is definitely something to keep in mind. If you can find pre-skewered chicken at your grocery store or butcher, then this recipe is easy enough for beginners.
My recipe creates gorgeous golden chicken, the beautiful coloring all thanks to the turmeric seasoning. Preparation is fairly simple but the final result is full of flavor. While traditionally prepared in a tandoor oven, we’ll be using the grill instead. I promise it will be just as tasty!
Makes 6 Servings
Preparation time: 20 minutes + 1 hr. to marinate
Cooking time: 20 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
6 boneless & skinless chicken breasts (or thighs) cut into 1” cubes
¼ Cup full-fat Greek yogurt
1 Tbsp olive oil
3-4 Cloves garlic chopped
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
½ tsp turmeric
¼ tsp paprika
1 lemon
Salt & pepper
15-20 Wooden skewers
PREPARATION:
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl or zipper plastic bag. Ensure the chicken is well-coated.
Refrigerate chicken for 1 hour.
Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes prior to using.
Preheat grill to medium-high while preparing skewers.
Slide chicken onto prepared skewers, approximately 4-5 pieces per skewer.
Grill chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, until juices run clear. Note: I let the skewers hang off the side of the grill, and prop the grill open slightly to prevent the skewers from burning.
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