Turkish Chicken Kabobs
Turkish Chicken Kabobs deliver smoky, tender chicken infused with vibrant, aromatic spices. This authentic and easy-to-make recipe features a zingy yogurt-based marinade that keeps the chicken juicy and flavorful while grilling to perfection. Ideal for family gatherings or casual dinners, these kabobs bring the rich taste of Turkish cuisine right to your table.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (including marinating)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Turkish
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 1.5 pounds boneless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
Marinade
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Sumac (optional)
- Yogurt sauce or garlic sauce for drizzling
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together plain yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, crushed garlic, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until smooth and flavors are well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Cut the boneless chicken thighs into roughly uniform chunks. Submerge them fully in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or ideally overnight to allow flavors to penetrate and tenderize the meat.
- Prepare the Grill and Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes to prevent burning. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat to achieve a perfect char and smoky aroma.
- Thread the Chicken onto Skewers: Skewer the marinated chicken pieces evenly, leaving a little space between each piece to ensure even cooking and searing.
- Grill the Kabobs: Place the skewers on the preheated grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, turning every 3 to 4 minutes, until the exterior is golden brown with slight char marks and the chicken is cooked through.
- Rest and Serve: Let the kabobs rest for 5 minutes off the grill to lock in juices before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, a sprinkle of sumac, or a drizzle of yogurt sauce if desired.
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor and extra tenderness.
- Do not overcrowd skewers; leave space between pieces for even cooking.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier kabobs compared to chicken breasts.
- Preheat your grill properly to sear the chicken and keep it moist.
- Turn kabobs regularly and monitor heat to avoid burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 kabob pieces)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Turkish chicken kabobs, grilled chicken, Turkish recipe, chicken skewers, Middle Eastern chicken, kabobs marinade, smoky chicken kabobs