Persian Chicken Skewers Recipes

Steps:

• Soak 8 skewers in water to prevent burning. To make the marinade, whisk together the cardamom, turmeric, allspice, garlic, lemon and oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cut each chicken thigh fillet into 1-1 1/2 inch cubes. Toss the cubes in the spice marinade. Thread the chicken onto skewers and place on a tray. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Cook the skewers on a hot, lightly oiled grill or grill pan for 4 minutes on each side or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve with lemon wedges and plain yoghurt.

Steps:

• 1. Soak 8 wooden skewers in water to prevent burning. To make the marinade, whisk together the cardamom, turmeric, allspice, garlic, lemon and oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• 2. Cut each chicken thigh into 1 -1 1/2 inch cubes. Toss the cubes in the spice marinade. Thread the chicken onto skewers and place on a tray. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• 3. Cook the skewers on a hot, oiled grill or grill pan for 4 minutes on each side or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve with lemon wedges and plan yogurt.

Steps:

• Combine onion, lemon juice, oregano, paprika and garlic and puree in a small food processor blender.
• Add olive oil and process until well mixed.
• Combine chicken and marinade in a resealable plastic bag or other container so that chicken is completely covered (I just put it in a bowl and toss it periodically). Let marinade for at least 30 minutes, but longer is ok, too. Remember, because the marinade has oil in it, the oil will rise to the top so you may have to keep stirring it if you want to let it sit longer.
• Thread chicken pieces onto skewers and grill on direct medium heat for approximately 8 minutes per side, depending on preference and grill heat. I usually have my grill up to high, so the chicken only takes about 12 minutes total.

Steps:

• Combine chicken, diced onion, black pepper, salt, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric, 1/4 teaspoon saffron, and cayenne in a bowl. Shape mixture into long, sausage-like kabob shapes, or shape around skewers and put aside in the refrigerator.
• Put the leftover saffron minus a pinch in 2 tablespoons warm water so that it lets out its color.
• Bring 3 cups water and cardamom pods to a boil; add rice, reduce heat, and let simmer until tender and water has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes, making sure not to overcook or undercook. Drain out any remaining starch water.
• Place a pot over low heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter, remaining turmeric, and reserved pinch of saffron; saute a bit then add the rice on top to dry out the excess water. Drizzle the saffron water on top and add 1 tablespoon butter. Cover and let simmer until the rice is fluffy, about 5 minutes.
• Melt remaining butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry kabobs in the hot oil until they are no longer pink in the centers, 5 to 7 minutes, flipping as needed. Place tomatoes and chopped onion on top and cover. Cook until tomatoes soften and release their juices (this helps it from getting too dry), about 5 minutes. Serve with rice.

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.