Persian Chicken Kabobs Recipes

EASY PERSIAN CHICKEN KEBABS

Steps:

• MARINATE: add the saffron to a small bowl along with 1 tablespoon of hot water and let it steep, covered for 5-7 minutes or until the water turns a bright yellow (if using). In a large bowl, combine the saffron water and all the marinade ingredients except the chicken. Add the chicken and stir to coat evenly. At this point, you can pop everything into a zip-top bag (for marinating) or just leave in the same bowl. Add the chicken and toss to combine. Cover the bowl or zip the bag and allow the chicken to marinate for at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
• PREP: Remove the chicken from the refrigerator about 1 hour before cooking. Add the cubed veggies to the chicken, toss to combine and let marinate. Thread the chicken on to the skewers alternating with the red onions, green and red bell peppers. Repeat until you've used up all the chicken and veggies and discard any leftover marinade. When ready to grill, prepare the grill by lightly oiling the grates with any high heat oil or just spray with cooking spray and let it preheat on medium-high.
• GRILL: Grill the kebabs until they cook all the way through. You can test to see if the chicken is done by slicing through a piece with a knife, it should take roughly 8-12 minutes total. Serve warm over buttered saffron rice, vermicelli rice, or with flatbread and a salad.

JUJEH KABOB (PERSIAN CHICKEN KABOBS)

Steps:

• Combine onion, lime juice, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and saffron in a large glass bowl. Mix in olive oil. Press chicken into the bowl lightly and cover with plastic wrap. Let marinate for 6 hours to overnight, mixing every few hours to make sure chicken is coated.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove chicken from the bowl, shake off excess marinade, and discard marinade left in the bowl. Place chicken onto metal skewers, making sure it's not too tightly packed.
• Cook skewers on the preheated grill until chicken is browned and no longer pink in the center, turning as needed, 10 to 15 minutes total.

PERSIAN CHICKEN KABOBS

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.

JOOJEH KABOB (PERSIAN STYLE GRILLED CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients in a bowl and let chicken sit in marinade for up to one day before grilling, preferably on a charcoal grill.
• Grill until juices from chicken run clear when chicken is pierced with knife.

CHELO KABOB (PERSIAN RICE WITH CHICKEN KABOB)

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.

GLUTEN-FREE PERSIAN CHICKEN KABOBS

Steps:

• Soak skewers in water 20 minutes. Heat gas or charcoal grill.
• In a small bowl, beat Honey Yogurt ingredients with whisk. Cover and refrigerate.
• In large bowl, beat half of the lime juice, the oil, salt, cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, ginger and cloves with whisk. Add chicken; toss to coat. On each skewer, alternately thread chicken and onion, starting and ending with chicken. There should be 5 or 6 pieces of chicken on each skewer.
• Place kabobs on grill over medium-high heat. Cover grill; cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until chicken is no longer pink in center. On each of 4 serving plates, place 1/2 cup rice and 2 kabobs. Drizzle with remaining lime juice, then drizzle each plate with 2 tablespoons honey yogurt. Top with chopped mint.