Deliciously marinated chicken skewers are grilled to perfection and accompanied by a refreshing Garlic Yogurt Sauce known as Taratur.
Servings : 6servings
Prep Time 2 hourshrs20 minutesmins
Cook Time 15 minutesmins
Total Time 2 hourshrs35 minutesmins
Ingredients
For The Chicken Skewers
4skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2tablespoonsolive oil
2tablespoonslemon juice
1tablespoonwhite vinegar
2clovesgarlic,minced
1teaspoonItalian Seasoning
½teaspoondried thyme
½teaspoondried basil
salt and fresh ground black pepper,to taste
wooden skewers
For The Garlic Yogurt Sauce (Taratur)
1smallEnglish cucumber,finely diced
4garlic cloves,, minced
½teaspoonsalt
fresh ground pepper, to taste
2cupsnon-fat plain yogurt
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
Marinate the Chicken: Marinating the chicken before grilling infuses it with flavor and helps to tenderize the meat. Aim for at least 30 minutes, but if you have time, a few hours or even overnight would yield the best results.
Soak the Skewers: If you're using wooden or bamboo skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken. This will prevent them from burning on the grill.
Uniform Pieces: Try to cut your chicken into uniformly sized pieces. This ensures even cooking.
Don't Overcrowd the Skewers: Leave a little space between the pieces of chicken on the skewer to allow heat to circulate evenly.
Taratur Sauce: Fresh ingredients are key here. Using fresh garlic, cucumbers, and quality yogurt will result in a flavorful and tangy sauce that pairs perfectly with the chicken.
Grill Care: Make sure your grill is preheated, and the grates are clean and oiled before adding the skewers. This helps the chicken cook evenly and prevents sticking.
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.