Lemony Moroccan Style Chicken Kebabs Recipes

MOROCCAN CHICKEN KABOBS

Steps:

• Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes and place in a large, shallow, nonmetallic dish. Put all the remaining ingredients, except parsley, in a bowl and whisk together. Pour the marinade over the chicken cubes and toss the meat in the marinade until well coated. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight, turning the chicken 2-3 times if possible.
• If using wooden skewers, soak the skewers in cold water for about 30 minutes to prevent burning and to keep food from sticking. If using metal skewers, lightly brush with oil. Preheat the broiler or grill pan. Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade, reserving the remaining marinade and thread an equal quantity onto each prepared skewer leaving a little space between each piece.
• Brush the broiler rack or grill pan with a little oil. Add the kabobs and cook, turning frequently and brushing with the reserved marinade halfway through cooking, for 15 minutes or until browned on all sides, tender, and cooked through. Serve hot, sprinkled with chopped parsley to garnish.

LEMON GARLIC CHICKEN KEBABS

Steps:

• Combine butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, brown sugar, and garlic in a bowl. Add chicken and marinate for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat grill for high heat.
• Remove chicken from the marinade and shake off excess. Thread onto skewers.
• Lightly oil the grill grate. Arrange skewers on the prepared grill. Cook 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken juices run clear.

MOROCCAN-SPICED CHICKEN SKEWERS

Steps:

• Whisk olive oil, 1/4 cup mint, cilantro, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, honey, 1 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 cloves garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cayenne in a large bowl. Reserve 1/4 cup marinade in a separate bowl.
• Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag. Pour marinade over chicken. Press air out of the bag and seal tightly. Turn the bag to distribute the marinade. Place in a bowl and refrigerate for 5 hours.
• Whisk yogurt, 1/2 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup mint, 2 cloves garlic, lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon salt together in a bowl to make sauce. Cover and place in the refrigerator.
• Toss green bell peppers and red onion in the reserved 1/4 cup marinade. Remove chicken from the bag and discard all marinade. Thread chicken, peppers, and onion alternately onto skewers.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Arrange skewers on the grill. Close lid and cook, turning once or twice, until chicken is firm to the touch, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from grill and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with cold sauce.

LEMONY MOROCCAN STYLE CHICKEN KEBABS

Steps:

• For the Marinade:.
• Cut four deep, lengthwise gashes, equally spaced, into each lemon. Put the lemons and garlic cloves in a small microwavable container. Cover and microwave on high until the lemons are soft and juice has exuded from them, about 4 minute (If not soft, continue to microwave in 30-second intervals). Strain the juice into a small container and let the lemons and garlic cool briefly. When the lemons are cool enough to handle, separate them into sections. Scrape the pulp and most of the white pith away with a spoon; discard. Put the scraped lemon peels, garlic, lemon juice, and remaining marinade ingredients in a blender and puree to make a coarse, soft paste. Set 2 tablespoons aside to use for the yogurt sauce.
• To Marinate the Chicken:.
• Put the chicken into a 1-gallon zip-top bag; scrape in the remaining marinade. Massage the bag to coat all the chicken pieces and marinate for 1 to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
• To Grill the Kebabs:.
• Build a medium-hot charcoal fire or heat a gas grill to medium high. Dump the chicken into a bowl, but don't scrape off any excess marinade. Put the onion and peppers in the marinade bag and massage them to coat with the marinade (it's fine if the onion pieces break apart). Transfer to another bowl. Thread the chicken onto skewers, positioning a piece of onion and pepper between the pieces of chicken. If there's extra pepper or onion, thread them onto separate skewers, if you like.
• When ready to grill, oil the grill grate. Grill the kebabs over direct heat (uncovered for charcoal; covered for gas), turning the skewers every 2 to 3 minute until the chicken is firm and shows no redness when cut into, about 10 to 15 minute Check several pieces of chicken to be sure.
• To Make the Sauce:.
• Combine the reserved 2 tablespoons marinade with the cucumber, cilantro, yogurt, and 2 teaspoons salt. Mix well. (Make the sauce no more than an hour before serving or it will be too watery).
• To Serve:.
• Remove the chicken and vegetables from the skewers and serve them in a mound with the yogurt sauce on the side. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.