½cupwalnuts,ground + couple more tablespoons of ground walnuts on the side for sprinkling on top of the dip
2tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil,divided
1teaspoonfresh chopped mint
chopped fresh parsley,for garnish
Instructions
For The Chicken Skewers
Cut the chicken lengthwise into 12 to 16 strips.
Place chicken in a resealable bag and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, Italian Seasoning, thyme, basil, salt, and pepper; whisk until well incorporated.
Pour the marinade over the chicken and seal the bag.
Refrigerate for 2 hours, or overnight.
Remove chicken from bag and discard marinade.
Thread the chicken onto wooden skewers.
Heat the grill to a medium heat.
Brush grilling surface with vegetable oil.
Place the chicken skewers on the grill, directly over heat.
Grill for 10 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink, turning the skewers once during cooking.
For The Garlic Yogurt Sauce (Taratur)
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.
Notes
Marinade: Marinating the chicken before grilling infuses it with flavor and tenderizes the meat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, but a few hours or overnight is even better.
Soak the Skewers: If you're using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 to 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning on the grill.
Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh garlic, cucumbers, and quality yogurt to make a flavorful and tangy Taratur sauce.
Grill Care: Preheat the grill and clean the grates. Oil the grates before adding the skewers. This helps the chicken cook evenly and prevents sticking.