Description
At its core, this traditional dish features cubed chicken. The meat marinates in an acidic, spiced yogurt mixture first. Then cooks thread pieces onto wooden or metal skewers. Fresh colorful vegetables sit between the savory meat cubes. The skewers cook directly over intense, open heat sources. In the Turkish language, shish means sword or skewer. Meanwhile, kebab refers to roasted or grilled meat dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 700 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or thick plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
For the Skewers
- 1 large red onion, cut into chunks
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks
- Wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken:
In a large bowl, combine yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, cumin, oregano, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes. - Add the chicken:
Add the chicken pieces and mix until thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 4–8 hours for deeper flavor. - Prepare the skewers:
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes. Thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers, alternating with pieces of onion and bell pepper. - Grill:
Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the surface and grill the skewers for 10–15 minutes, turning every few minutes, until the chicken is golden, lightly charred, and cooked through. - Check the chicken:
The thickest pieces should reach an internal temperature of 74°C / 165°F. - Rest and serve:
Let the kebabs rest for 2–3 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.
Notes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Turkish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
Keywords: Turkish chicken kebabs, chicken shish kebab recipe, easy Turkish chicken skewers, grilled Turkish chicken shish