Chicken Tikka Kebab Recipe

An essential component of Indian cooking, chicken tikka kebabs are made with succulent slices of marinated chicken, seasoned with traditional Indian herbs, and expertly grilled. This meal can be prepared on a stovetop skillet, in an electric oven, or on a grill. This recipe is perfect for any occasion because it goes great with rice, salad, or naan. It’s also low in carbohydrates and strong in protein, making it ideal for a healthy diet.

Chicken Tikka Kebab Recipe

Recipe by Chef Sadat KhizarCourse: MainCuisine: IndianDifficulty: Medium

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

280

kcal

Chicken Tikka Kebab Recipe

Ingredients

• 500g boneless chicken

• 1/2 cup plain yogurt

• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp red chili powder

• 1 tsp turmeric powder

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp ground coriander

• 1/2 tsp garam masala

• 1 tbsp oil

• Salt to taste

• Orange-red food color

• Skewers

• Fresh coriander and lemon wedges

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, red chili powder, turmeric, cumin, coriander, garam masala, oil, salt, and food color. Mix well to form a smooth marinade.
• Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and coat them evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight for best flavor).
• If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece.
• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 12–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred.
• Garnish with fresh coriander and lemon wedges. Serve hot with mint chutney, onion rings, or naan.

Recipe Video

Serving Suggestions

• Serve your grilled chicken tikka kebabs hot, accompanied by tamarind sauce or mint chutney.
• For a substantial supper, serve with roti or naan.
• For a complete Indian dish, serve with pulao or jeera rice on the side.
• For extra zest, garnish with lemon wedges, sliced onions, and fresh coriander.
• Serve over a cucumber salad or a bed of mixed greens for a healthy alternative.

Saving Suggestions:

• Refrigerate: Keep any leftover kebabs in the refrigerator for up to three days in an airtight container. Before serving, reheat in an oven or pan.
• Freeze: Marinated chicken can be kept in the freezer for up to a month before cooking. Before cooking, let it thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Meal Prep: For easy lunches or dinners, marinate and skewer ahead of time, then cook fresh as needed.

FAQs

Is a grill necessary to prepare chicken tikka kebabs?
Indeed! With excellent results, you can bake them in an oven or on a stovetop grill pan.

What is the recommended marinating time for chicken?
Let it marinade for at least 4 hours or overnight for maximum flavor.

Is it possible to substitute chicken breast for thigh?
Indeed, but chicken thighs maintain their juiciness. To avoid dryness, do not overcook the breast.

Is tikka kebab chicken spicy?
You can change the amount of chili powder to suit your preferences, but it has a mild to moderate level of heat.

What distinguishes chicken tikka from chicken tikka kebab?
Although they are nearly identical, “kebab” usually means to be served on skewers, frequently roasted or grilled.