Both the yogurt marinade and cooking on the grill will give these Lebanese-inspired chicken skewers authentic flavor, but they're great even if you want to skip the grill. Smarts #1: As you’re chopping the onions, bell peppers, and chicken, try to keep the pieces about the same size so they can be easily thread onto skewers. Smarts #2: If you prefer to skip the skewers, you can saute the onions, bell peppers, and chicken in a large skillet or wok.
Lemon-Tahini Marinade and Sauce (ingredients listed separately) - 1/2 cup + 1/2 cup
Skewers, metal or bamboo - 8
Cucumber Salad:
Cucumbers - 12 oz , diced
Vinegar, red or white wine - 2 tsp
Oil, olive - 1 tsp
Quinoa:
Quinoa, uncooked - 3/4 cup
Stock, any type - 1 1/2 cups
Lemon-Tahini Marinade and Sauce:
Garlic - 2 cloves , chopped
Parsley - 1 Tbsp , chopped
Yogurt, plain or Greek - 3/4 cup
Lemon juice - 1/4 cup
Tahini - 1 Tbsp
Oregano, dried - 1 tsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Cumin, ground - 1/2 tsp
Cinnamon - 1/8 tsp
Choose Cooking Method
Prep
Quinoa - Combine quinoa with stock in a saucepan. Add some salt. Bring to a boil covered. Lower heat, keep covered, and cook until liquid is absorbed, 8 to 10 minutes. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Onions / Bell peppers / Garlic / Parsley - Prep as directed. Store separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make marinade / sauce - Combine garlic, parsley, yogurt, lemon juice, tahini, oregano, salt, cumin, and cinnamon. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Marinate chicken - (If prepping right before cooking, get grill heating when chicken is nearly finished marinating.) Cube chicken. Tenderize with a fork and combine with first portion of marinade. Marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 days. (Can be done 2 days ahead)
Skewers - If using wooden / bamboo skewers, soak in water for 10 minutes.
Make cucumber salad - Dice cucumbers. Toss with vinegar and olive oil. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Assemble skewers - Alternate threading onions, bell peppers, and chicken (fold chicken over onto itself if the pieces are uneven) onto skewers. (Using two skewers together can make it easier to flip the skewers as they cook.) (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Make
Heat grill to 450F / 232C. Clean grates and brush with some cooking oil.
Add chicken skewers to heated grill and turn to sear on all sides until chicken is cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes total. (Note: Remove a piece of chicken and check it for doneness if unsure.)
If quinoa was made ahead, reheat in the microwave.
Give cucumbers a stir and season with some salt and pepper.
Serve chicken skewers and cucumber salad over quinoa. Drizzle second portion of marinade / sauce (make sure that it hasn’t had any contact with raw meat) over top or serve it on the side for dipping. Enjoy!
Prep
Quinoa - Combine quinoa with stock in a saucepan. Add some salt. Bring to a boil covered. Lower heat, keep covered, and cook until liquid is absorbed, 8 to 10 minutes. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Onions / Bell peppers / Garlic / Parsley - Prep as directed. Store separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make marinade / sauce - Combine garlic, parsley, yogurt, lemon juice, tahini, oregano, salt, cumin, and cinnamon. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Marinate chicken - Cube chicken. Tenderize with a fork and combine with first portion of marinade. Marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 days. (Can be done 2 days ahead)
Skewers - If using wooden / bamboo skewers, soak in water for 10 minutes.
Make cucumber salad - Dice cucumbers. Toss with vinegar and olive oil. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Assemble skewers - Alternate threading onions, bell peppers, and chicken (fold chicken over onto itself if the pieces are uneven) onto skewers. (Using two skewers together can make it easier to flip the skewers as they cook.) (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Make
Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Brush pan with some oil. Add chicken skewers to heated grill pan and turn to sear on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes total. (Note: Covering the skewers with a lid or foil as they cook can help speed the process along and help the chicken and vegetables to cook evenly.)
If quinoa was made ahead, reheat in the microwave.
Give cucumbers a stir and season with some salt and pepper.
Serve chicken skewers and cucumber salad over quinoa. Drizzle second portion of marinade / sauce (make sure that it hasn’t had any contact with raw meat) over top or serve it on the side for dipping. Enjoy!
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