Chicken Skewers with Cucumber-Garlic Yogurt Sauce {Taratur}

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

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Chicken Skewers with Cucumber-Garlic Yogurt Sauce {Taratur}

Prep Time

2 hrs 20 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

2 hrs 35 mins

 

So delicious and incredibly flavorful marinated grilled chicken skewers with a side of Cucumber-Garlic Yogurt Sauce, also known as Taratur.

Course: Dinner

Servings: 6

Calories: 290 kcal

Author: Katerina

Ingredients

FOR THE CHICKEN SKEWERS

• 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

FOR THE TARATUR

• 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)

Instructions

FOR THE CHICKEN SKEWERS

1. Cut chicken lengthwise into 12 to 16 strips.
2. Place chicken in a resealable bag and set aside.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, thyme, Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper; whisk until well incorporated.
4. Pour the marinade over chicken and seal the bag.
5. Refrigerate for 2 hours, or overnight.
6. Remove chicken from bag and discard marinade.
7. Thread chicken onto wooden skewers.
8. Heat the grill to a medium heat.
9. Brush grilling surface with vegetable oil.
10. Place skewers on the grill, directly over heat.
11. Grill for 10 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink, turning the skewers once during cooking.

In the meantime, prepare the Taratur Sauce.

1. Dice the cucumbers and try to absorb as much of the moisture as possible by drying off the cucumber pieces with a paper towel.
2. Place cucumbers and minced garlic in a bowl.
3. Sprinkle with salt and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; mix it all together.
4. Stir in the yogurt and ground walnuts.
5. Drizzle the remaining extra virgin olive oil on top, sprinkle with remaining ground walnuts and add the mint.
6. Chill before serving it in an individual, cup-sized bowl OR drizzle some of it over the chicken skewers as I have done here.
7. Add chopped fresh parsley.
8. Serve.

Recipe Notes

To prevent the wooden skewers from burning, soak them in water for 20 minutes before threading the chicken pieces.

WW SmartPoints: 8 

Nutrition Facts

Chicken Skewers with Cucumber-Garlic Yogurt Sauce {Taratur}

Amount Per Serving

Calories 290 Calories from Fat 153

% Daily Value*

Fat 17g26%

Saturated Fat 2g10%

Cholesterol 49mg16%

Sodium 346mg14%

Potassium 606mg17%

Carbohydrates 10g3%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 22g44%

Vitamin A 60IU1%

Vitamin C 6.1mg7%

Calcium 188mg19%

Iron 0.9mg5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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