Chicken Skewers with Cucumber-Garlic Yogurt Sauce {Taratur} – So delicious and incredibly flavorful marinated grilled chicken skewers served with a side of Cucumber-Garlic Yogurt Sauce, a.k.a. Taratur.
Hi Hey, Friends! Hi, Hey, Sunday! Welcome back!
We are well into this Sunday and all I want to do is continue to vegetate on that couch behind me. BUT, since food is a priority around here, the couch will have to wait until tonight’s BravoTV binge-watch.
So, seriously? Was 2005 like really that long ago?
I went to this awesome Persian restaurant back in 2005, which in my head was 3 years ago, but in terms of math, it was not? I mean, was it really 10 years ago?? HOW does this time thing even happen so fast? It’s not like I’m trying to get to the “Finish Line” anytime soon, you know?
Daaaang. Let’s just slow it down already.
Let’s slow down. Let’s fire up the grill. Let’s put on our new maxi dress – more room to stuff thy belly and not suck it in – and let’s ease into this rainy Spring day. K?
So this one time back in the olden days – circa 2005 – I dined at a Persian restaurant where I encountered a plateful of beautifully threaded chicken skewers served with yogurt sauce. They were major awesome – I was crushing on ’em at first bite. I inhaled those skewers, caveman style, forgetting to come back up for air. With no shame, either. SO darn GOOD!
But those skewers are not these. These are my take on those.
Let’s start with the Taratur (Tar-ah-tour) Sauce, first. This little bowl here is FRESH and tastes like a big ol’ bowl of summer. Or late spring. It’s garlicky, it’s crunchy, its cold and it’s ridiculously amazing. Scouts honor. I could eat yogurt every darn day if it looked like this.
Judging by the ingredients, you may think that Taratur is the same as Tzatziki, but let me stop you right there.
Taratur is a traditional Macedonian summer side dish or dip (it can be served either way) which is similar to Tzatziki, but it is not the same. The variations are in the extra ingredients used in Taratur and in the thickness of the yogurt; the yogurt used for Tzatziki is as thick as a spread, whereas the yogurt used for Taratur is thinner because Taratur is meant to be either eaten with a spoon, or used as a sauce or dip for various grilled meats and sandwiches. Got it? Good.
Then, our delicious chicken here was marinated in a lemon/thyme mixture together with our friends, garlic and olive oil. Need I say more?
To be honest, the marinade makes me completely flip my lid. I have a a bit of it left in the fridge and have to stop myself from dunking everything in it.
Basically, what I’m trying to say is that I’ll do anything to live on this chicken for forever and beyond.
Only thing that’s missing here is your fork and knife. Or just your hands. Yeah, use your hands and go to town because these will be gone in 3…2….1….
ENJOY!
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WATCH HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN SKEWERS WITH YOGURT SAUCE
- 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts (you can also use 1 to 1-1/2 pounds of chicken tenders)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- salt and fresh ground pepper , to taste
- wooden skewers
- 1 cucumber , finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves , minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- fresh ground pepper, to taste
- 2 cups non-fat plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup walnuts , ground (put a couple tablespoons of ground walnuts aside for sprinkling on top of the dip)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil , divided
- 1 teaspoon fresh chopped mint
- chopped fresh parsley , for garnish (optional)
- Cut chicken lengthwise into 12 to 16 strips.
- Place chicken in a resealable bag and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, thyme, Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper; whisk until well incorporated.
- Pour the marinade over chicken and seal the bag.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours, or overnight.
- Remove chicken from bag and discard marinade.
- Thread chicken onto wooden skewers.
- Heat the grill to a medium heat.
- Brush grilling surface with vegetable oil.
- Place skewers on the grill, directly over heat.
- Grill for 10 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink, turning the skewers once during cooking.
- Dice the cucumbers and try to absorb as much of the moisture as possible by drying off the cucumber pieces with a paper towel.
- Place cucumbers and minced garlic in a bowl.
- Sprinkle with salt and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; mix it all together.
- Stir in the yogurt and ground walnuts.
- Drizzle the remaining extra virgin olive oil on top, sprinkle with remaining ground walnuts and add the mint.
- Chill before serving it in an individual, cup-sized bowl OR drizzle some of it over the chicken skewers as I have done here.
- Add chopped fresh parsley.
- Serve.
To prevent the wooden skewers from burning, soak them in water for 20 minutes before threading the chicken pieces.
WW SmartPoints: 8
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Judy says
If I want to bake this in the oven, how long and at what temperature?
Thank you!
Katerina Petrovska says
Hi!
You will want to soak the wooden skewers in water, first. Then thread the marinated chicken on the skewers, transfer to a greased jelly roll pan and put them in a 450 degree oven on the center rack. Bake for 10 minutes, turn over and continue to bake for 10 to 15 minutes longer, or until chicken is done. Chicken is cooked at 165F internal temperature.
Anne Kitto says
Made this tonight …excellent!! I just sauteed the chicken in my copper skillet, since I don’t have an indoor grill. I didn’t have walnuts or mint but the sauce was still awesome without it. I made the sauce about an hour before we ate. I think the sauce should be made earlier so the flavors meld together more. Lowfat & yummy. Served with a salad on there side.
Stacey says
Yum! This looks like an amazing recipe. I know what I’m cooking for dinner tomorrow. Looks super fresh and healthy.
Sandra Watts says
What a great recipe!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
This sauce sounds tasty!
KalynsKitchen says
Happy Friday! Just letting you know that I featured this recipe today in my Low-Carb Recipe Love on Fridays. I am intrigued by the sauce; hope a lot of my readers will try it!
Katerina Petrovska says
Thanks SO much, Kalyn!! ♥
Valerie says
Made this chicken for lunch today, but marinated it overnight. DELICIOUS! The only thing I would change is no italian seasoning and stick with just parsley and oregano. The basil and thyme made it less Mediterranean than I wanted but still super tasty! Also did not include the nuts in my meal, since I didn’t have any on hand but the sauce was phenomenal either way! Would definitely make this again!
Katerina Petrovska says
Hi Valerie!
I’m so happy to know that you enjoyed it!! Thank you for the kind words!
Mel says
As an adult I get the whole texture thing, but for the youngins who haven’t got the taste buds yet, possible to purée the sauce in the processor for a smoother finish??
Katerina Petrovska says
Hi Mel! Yes, absolutely do that. That’s how I do it for my almost 3-year old. 🙂
Taylor says
I’m with you on thinking that 2005 was just 3 years ago – I mean, it’s seriously been 10 years? 🙂 Anyway, this looks absolutely amazing and I need to try this – that Taratur (how have I never heard of it before now??!) is calling my name!
Cate | Chez CateyLou says
You managed to make chicken look pretty!! These skewers are really so pretty, and that sauce…pretty sure I would eat that with a spoon!
Heghineh says
This looks fantastic! I can’t wait to try this out.
Tanja says
Made this tonight….I was literally licking my plate clean. The taratur sauce is so full of flavor and texture. I’m going to probably put it on everything this summer.
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Wow! This sounds amazing, and your photos are amazing! And the sauce sounds amazing! Love everything about this!
Joanie @ ZagLeft says
The taratur sauce is something I know I would put on just about everything. We grill almost every night and I’ll be putting this recipe on our menu this week.
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah says
I have a feeling I’m going to be putting this taratur sauce on everything, including these skewers. Looks amazing!!
Abigail says
I bet the ground walnuts added a lot of flavor and texture to the sauce! What a delicious dish!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
These are seriously such a dream for entertaining!!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
These sound so light and delicious – perfect for this steamy, May day!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
Lovveee Persian food and I love these skewers!
That sauce look delicious!
Pinned!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
Oh my gosh these skewers look amazing!! We have a Persian restaurant that we have visited and it was amazing! I bet these are too!
Amber | Caleigh's Kitchen says
These look so light and refreshing for dinner! I must try these soon!!
Stephanie says
This looks so so good! I think I need to make it for me and the husband soon!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
Everything about this recipe looks incredible, from the marinade to the taratur sauce! I’d never heard of taratur before but now I really want to try it!
Monique @ Ambitious Kitchen says
Delicious! I’m always looking for new chicken recipes and I’ve actually never had this sauce so i’m dying to try it out.
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
Time sure flies when your having fun! 🙂 Its weird to think I was in college back in 2005! Totally loving this recipe girl, the cucumber garlic yogurt sauce sounds incredible, pretty sure that needs to happen at our house asap!
Kaitie says
This looks refreshing and delicious! I love the sauce! Can’t wait to try it with the family!!
Lissa says
I like your chicken skewer with yogurt idea. I’ll have to try this. Thank you for your recipe.
http://askmelissaanything.blogspot.com/2015/05/3-ingredient-pumpkin-spice-chocolate.html
Marina | Let the Baking Begin! says
Totally amazing! I love this combination!
maggie says
I agree. These skewers are really so pretty,