Turkish Chicken Shish Kebab Recipes

TURKISH CHICKEN SHISH KEBABS (TAVUK SIş)

Steps:

• Up to 24 hours before you want to cook the chicken, whisk together all marinade ingredients. Add the chicken, stir well to coat, then cover and refrigerate until needed. Even half an hour in the marinade is better than nothing at all, though several hours is better.
• To make the Tzatziki/Cacık, stir together all ingredients and chill until needed. Can be made up to 8 hours in advance.
• To prepare the kebabs, thread the chicken onto metal skewers, alternating with onion and bell pepper (if using). If you are using wooden skewers soak them in water for half an hour before using. Heat the grill or BBQ to medium-high, brush with oil and cook the chicken kebabs for 10 minutes, turning halfway, until charred and cooked through. If using, drizzle with a little honey and pomegranate molasses in the last 2 minutes of grilling.
• Serve immediately with Tzatziki/Cacık, lemon slices, and flatbreads.

TURKISH CHICKEN KEBABS

Steps:

• Whisk yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, ketchup, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, cumin, black pepper, paprika, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
• Place chicken thigh halves into the yogurt marinade and coat them thoroughly on all sides. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 to 8 hours.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Using 2 skewers for each kebab, thread half of the chicken thighs onto each pair of skewers making a fairly thick "log" shape.
• Place kebabs on grill. Do not try to turn them until they begin to unstick from the grill, 3 or 4 minutes. Turn kebabs and grill the other side 3 or 4 minutes; turn. Continue cooking and turning until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 6 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

TURKISH CHICKEN SHISH KEBAB

Steps:

• Put the onion and garlic in a food processor and whizz to a very fine pulp. Transfer to a sieve lined with a clean J-cloth and set over a large bowl. Bring the cloth around the pulp and squeeze to extract as much juice as you can (it's best to wear rubber gloves for this, to protect your hands from the smell). Discard the pulp (or save for a tomato sauce base), then mix the juices with the turmeric, tomato purée, yogurt (or milk), paprika and salt. Add the chicken and coat well. Cover and marinate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 (see Make Ahead).
• If you're using wooden skewers, soak them in cold water to stop them burning. Heat the grill to as high as it will go (or see tips). Thread the chicken onto 4-8 metal or wooden skewers, depending on how long they are. Line a baking tray with foil and drizzle with a little oil, then lay the chicken skewers on top. Grill for 10 minutes or until the chicken is blackened and completely cooked through (no need to turn it). Scatter with oregano and sumac, then serve immediately with your choice of accompaniments.

TAVUK ŞIş (TURKISH CHICKEN KEBAB) RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
• Cut the meat into 1-inch pieces. Set aside.
• Using the finest grater possible, grate the onion and garlic cloves over a medium bowl.
• Pour the pulp and juice into a fine mesh strainer and, using a wooden spoon, press out the juice into a medium bowl. Discard the onion and garlic pulp; reserve the juice.
• Stir together the onion-garlic juice, yogurt, oil, tomato paste, black pepper, paprika, and salt.
• Add the cubed chicken and toss to coat.
• Cover the bowl and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
• Prepare a medium (350°F to 375°F) gas or charcoal grill fire. If using bamboo skewers, soak skewers in water for 30 minutes so they don't catch fire on the grill.
• Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and thread them onto soaked bamboo kebab skewers or metal skewers. The chunks of chicken can touch each other, but don't put them too close together to ensure they cook through. Discard any remaining marinade.
• Sprinkle the kebabs generously with salt and place on pre heated grill. Grill evenly on all sides, about 12 minutes total.
• Garnish with sumac, dried oregano, and paprika, if desired, and serve.

TRAFFIC LIGHT CHICKEN SHISH KEBABS

Steps:

• Make the marinade by mixing all of the ingredients together in a large bowl. Spoon a third of the mixture into a smaller bowl, then cover and chill until needed. Stir the chicken into the marinade and set aside for 20 mins. Can be chilled for up to two days, covered.
• If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 1 hr before using. Alternately thread the peppers and chicken onto the skewers until you have 6-8 kebabs. You can do this in advance if you like, and chill the kebabs until needed.
• Heat a barbecue to medium, or until a thin layer of coals has turned grey. Cook the kebabs for 10 mins, turning occasionally, until the chicken is charred and cooked through. Serve the kebabs with the reserved yogurt sauce, warmed flatbreads, chopped tomatoes and lemon wedges on the side.