GRILLED CHICKEN SKEWERS WITH TARRAGON AND YOGURT
These grilled chicken skewers are gently spiced with a ginger-and-cumin yogurt marinade, which makes the meat exceedingly tender and cooks to fragrant curds. As they grill, the skewers are gilded with a tarragon-mint baste that tastes distinctly Persian. Restraint and a very hot grill are both key to getting a good char: Don't move the skewers until the yogurt is burnished and the meat releases from the grates. Color is flavor. Catch any juices that run out of the cooked skewers with warm pita bread. Leftovers make excellent chicken salad.
Provided by Clare de Boer
Categories dinner, lunch, poultry, vegetables, main course
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Prepare the chicken: Cut each thigh in half against the grain. Rub with salt and set aside.
- Prepare the marinade: In a small bowl, mix the yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, salt and garlic. Reserve and refrigerate 1 cup marinade for serving. Put remaining marinade into a large resealable plastic bag and add the ginger, cumin and chicken; squelch around to coat thoroughly then refrigerate for 1 hour, or up to 48 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 1 hour before you plan to grill. If using wooden skewers, immerse them in water to soak for 15 minutes. Alternatively, use metal skewers or none at all.
- Prepare the grill: Clean the grate thoroughly and build a hot fire. The skewers will cook over intense, direct heat. The coals are ready when they glow red and the grate hisses when you drop water on it.
- Thread the chicken lengthwise onto skewers (if using), then smear with the marinade from the bag.
- Prepare the baste: Place the butter and salt in a small saucepan to melt on the cooler side of the grill (or use the stovetop). Once butter is melted, add the lime juice and chopped herbs; keep warm but do not boil.
- Grilling in batches if necessary, place the chicken on the grill a few inches apart. When you see a good char forming underneath, about 3 to 5 minutes, gently tug a skewer or the chicken: If it feels very stuck, leave it a few more minutes before turning. When the chicken releases easily and looks nicely charred in places, flip it using a fish spatula to gently pry any stuck bits off the grate.
- Baste the chicken with the herb butter and arrange the scallions in a single layer on the cooler edges of the grill. Let the chicken cook on the second side until firm and cooked through and turn the scallions occasionally until grill-marked and tender, about 8 minutes.
- Grill the pitas until marked, about 1 minute, turning halfway through. Lay them on the serving platter and place the scallions and chicken on top. Drizzle the bread, scallions and chicken with any remaining warm herb butter. Dollop chicken with reserved marinade, squeeze with lime and top with extra tarragon or mint.
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Merhaba Xd
[email protected]I'm not a huge fan of chicken, but I really enjoyed these skewers. The marinade made the chicken really tender and flavorful.
Bob Atherton
[email protected]I'm always looking for new chicken recipes, and these skewers definitely fit the bill. They were so easy to make and they tasted amazing.
Saifeahammed Shuvo
[email protected]These skewers are perfect for a healthy and flavorful meal. I love that they're grilled, so they're not greasy.
Silas Yakes
[email protected]I'm not a big fan of yogurt, but I really liked the flavor it gave to these chicken skewers. I'll definitely be making them again.
Milon Mahmud
[email protected]These skewers are so easy to make, and they're always so delicious. I love that I can use different vegetables to change up the flavor.
Kevin Blevenstein
[email protected]I'm not a big fan of tarragon, but I really liked the flavor it gave to these chicken skewers. I'll definitely be making them again.
Katlyn Saddler
[email protected]These skewers are perfect for a party or potluck. They're easy to make and they're always a hit.
Carlos Espinoza
[email protected]I love that these skewers can be made ahead of time. I made them the night before and just grilled them when I got home from work.
Valerie Holder
[email protected]These skewers are a great way to use up leftover chicken. I made them with some leftover grilled chicken, and they were delicious.
greatness willock
[email protected]I'm not a huge fan of chicken, but I really enjoyed these skewers. The marinade made the chicken really tender and flavorful.
Sangariar Safi
[email protected]I'm always looking for new chicken recipes, and these skewers definitely fit the bill. They were so easy to make and they tasted amazing.
Rayne Peter
[email protected]These skewers are perfect for a healthy and flavorful meal. I love that they're grilled, so they're not greasy.
Hello Hey
[email protected]I'm not a big fan of yogurt, but I really liked the flavor it gave to these chicken skewers. I'll definitely be making them again.
David Wanter
[email protected]These chicken skewers are so easy to make, and they're always so delicious. I love that I can use different vegetables to change up the flavor.
Biruk Alemu
[email protected]I've made these skewers several times now, and they're always a hit. I usually serve them with rice and grilled vegetables.
Ford Vazquez
[email protected]I love the combination of flavors in this recipe. The tarragon and yogurt give the chicken a really nice tanginess. I also like that the skewers can be made ahead of time, so they're perfect for busy weeknights.
Dan Ben
[email protected]These skewers are perfect for a summer cookout. They're easy to make and cook, and they're always a crowd-pleaser.
Alex Brown
[email protected]I'm not a huge fan of chicken, but these skewers were amazing! The marinade made the chicken so tender and juicy. I could have eaten a dozen of them.
Mikhail Dighe
[email protected]These chicken skewers were a hit at my last BBQ! The tarragon and yogurt marinade gave them a unique and delicious flavor. I'll definitely be making them again.