Middle Eastern-Style Grilled Chicken Kabobs

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Marinade:

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander

  • 1 teaspoon ground paprika

  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • Juice of 1 lemon

  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Tahini Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup tahini

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

  • Salt and black pepper to taste

  • Water (as needed to adjust consistency)

For the Kabobs:

  • Wooden or metal skewers, soaked if wooden

  • Cherry tomatoes

  • Red onion, cut into chunks

  • Bell peppers, cut into chunks

Instructions:

For the Chicken Marinade:

1.     Prepare the Marinade:

    • In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground paprika, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.

2.     Marinate the Chicken:

    • Place the chicken pieces in the marinade, ensuring each piece is well coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.

For the Tahini Sauce:

1.     Prepare the Sauce:

    • In a bowl, whisk together tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper.

2.     Adjust Consistency:

    • If the sauce is too thick, gradually add water while stirring until you reach the desired consistency. The sauce should be smooth and pourable.

3.     Taste and Adjust:

    • Taste the tahini sauce and adjust the seasoning according to your preference. Set aside.

For Grilling the Kabobs:

1.     Preheat the Grill:

    • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.

2.     Assemble the Kabobs:

    • Thread marinated chicken pieces, cherry tomatoes, red onion chunks, and bell pepper chunks onto the skewers, alternating the ingredients.

3.     Grill the Kabobs:

    • Place the assembled kabobs on the preheated grill. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and has a nice char.

4.     Serve:

    • Arrange the grilled chicken kabobs on a platter.

    • Drizzle the tahini sauce over the kabobs or serve it on the side.

5.     Garnish (Optional):

    • Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for a burst of color and freshness.

To Serve:

Serve the Middle Eastern-style grilled chicken kabobs with a side of couscous, rice, or a fresh salad. The combination of the aromatic spices in the marinade and the creamy tahini sauce creates a flavor-packed and memorable dish that's sure to impress. Enjoy your award-winning Middle Eastern feast!