Description
Chicken Tikka Kebab is a flavorful Indian main course dish featuring tender, marinated boneless chicken thighs grilled to perfection on skewers. The chicken is soaked in a spiced yogurt-based marinade infused with garlic, ginger, and aromatic Indian spices, delivering a smoky char and juicy texture. Perfectly paired with fresh cilantro and lemon wedges, these kebabs bring authentic Indian flavors to your grill or broiler.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon ginger (minced)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt
To Serve
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, minced ginger, ground cumin, paprika, garam masala, ground coriander, turmeric, chili powder, and salt until fully combined and smooth.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken thigh pieces to the bowl and toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to develop deeply.
- Preheat the Cooking Surface: When ready to cook, preheat your grill or broiler to medium-high heat to ensure proper searing and cooking of the skewers.
- Prepare the Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, shaking off any excess marinade to avoid flare-ups on the grill.
- Cook the Kebabs: Grill or broil the chicken skewers for 12–15 minutes, turning occasionally. Cook until the chicken develops charred spots and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, indicating it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the cooked skewers from heat and let them rest for a few minutes to retain their juiciness. Serve hot garnished with fresh cilantro leaves and lemon wedges for an added burst of freshness.
Notes
- For oven baking, place the skewers on a lined baking sheet and bake at 425°F for 20–25 minutes, finishing under the broiler for a charred effect.
- Chicken tikka kebabs can also be served wrapped in flatbreads, over rice bowls, or paired with mint yogurt sauce for variety.
- Adjust chili powder according to your preferred spice level.
- Ensure to soak wooden skewers in water beforehand to prevent burning if using a grill.
