Saffron Chicken Kebabs Recipes

SAFFRON-YOGURT CHICKEN KEBABS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk to combine yogurt, oil, lemon zest and juice, thyme, garlic, saffron, paprika, turmeric, cayenne, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Add chicken to yogurt marinade and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
• Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Thread chicken onto six 10-inch skewers and season with salt and pepper. Grill chicken until cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes per side. Drizzle with oil and serve with lemon wedges.

JOOJEH KABAB BA HOLU (SAFFRON CHICKEN KABABS WITH PEACHES)

Steps:

• Using a mortar and pestle (or small bowl and the handle end of a wooden spoon), grind the saffron with the sugar to a fine powder (about 1/4 teaspoon). Transfer to a large bowl.
• Bring 2 tablespoons water to a boil in a kettle, saucepan or using the microwave, then let stand for 2 minutes to allow the water temperature to drop slightly. Add to the ground saffron powder, gently stir, cover and steep for 5 minutes.
• To the saffron water, add the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper; carefully stir to mix. Add the chicken and onion to the marinade and combine until well-coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 24 hours, turning the chicken pieces around in the marinade every once in a while.
• Prepare a charcoal grill until the coals are ashed over and still hot, or heat a gas grill to medium-high. Skewer the tomatoes and peaches separately and set aside. Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and skewer them. It's best to use flat, 1/2-inch-wide skewers or double skewers so the chicken pieces stay put when turned.
• Transfer the onion and any remaining marinade to a medium skillet and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened and the skillet is nearly dry, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, grill the chicken, basting with the butter and turning every 2 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes on a charcoal grill and 15 to 18 minutes on a gas grill.
• Grill the tomatoes and peaches alongside the chicken: Grill the tomatoes, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, until softened and slightly blistered, 6 to 8 minutes on charcoal and about 10 minutes on a gas grill. Grill the peaches, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, until softened but not falling apart, about 10 minutes.
• If using lavash bread, drape on a serving platter. Place the chicken, tomatoes and peaches on the bread. (As the kababs sit, the bread soaks up the wonderful juices and becomes a highly sought-after bite.) Serve with the cooked onions, lime wedges for squeezing and sumac for sprinkling.

SAFFRON CHICKEN KEBABS

Steps:

• Slice chicken crosswise into thirds (about 2-inch pieces). Using your fingers or a mortar and pestle, crush saffron with 1/2 teaspoon salt, then add 1 teaspoon hot water; let stand 1 minute. Whisk together lime and orange juices, zest, saffron mixture, sliced onion, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and oil. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag; add marinade. Seal bag and massage meat to fully coat. Let stand at least 1 hour, or refrigerate up to 1 day.
• Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking. Remove chicken from marinade; thread each piece onto two skewers, so it lies flat. Skewer tomatoes and onion wedges. Season everything with salt and pepper; drizzle with oil. Working in batches, grill chicken and vegetables, flipping once, until charred in places and cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes per batch. Line a platter with lavash, then transfer cooked chicken and vegetables to platter. Sprinkle with sumac. Serve with radishes, mint, more lavash, and herb sauce.

JOOJEH KABOB (YOGURT SAFFRON CHICKEN KEBABS) RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Using a smooth mortar and pestle , grind the saffron threads to a fine powder.
• Stir the saffron powder and water together in a small bowl. Set aside to bloom, about 5 minutes.
• Combine the chicken and 4 tablespoons of the saffron water in a large bowl. Toss to coat, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour. The chicken will infuse with saffron's bright yellow-orange color, aroma, and flavor. Reserve the remaining 2 tablespoons of saffron water for basting.
• Combine the yogurt, onion, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
• Transfer the yogurt mixture to the bowl with the chicken. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, preferably overnight.
• Gather the ingredients. Prepare a medium (350 F to 375 F) gas or charcoal grill fire.
• Push the chicken pieces onto metal or previously soaked wooden skewers . The number of pieces on each skewer will depend on the length of your skewer. A good rule of thumb is to make sure the chicken pieces are not overcrowded on the skewer while also leaving some space at either end of the skewer.
• Place the skewers on a large platter or a baking sheet. Gently tap the skewers against the tray to shake off any excess marinade. Discard the remaining marinade to avoid any risk of food contamination.
• In a small bowl, combine the melted butter , the remaining 2 tablespoons of saffron water, and the lime juice.
• Grill the kebabs, basting frequently, until charred in places and the internal temperature reaches 165 F, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Grilling time will vary slightly depending on the temperature and strength of your grill. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

CHICKEN-THIGH KEBABS WITH TURMERIC, CHILE AND SAFFRON

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a nonreactive dish (or a resealable plastic bag), and marinate in the refrigerator between 3 hours and overnight.
• Once the chicken has marinated, discard the onions (or grill them on the side in a grill basket, or sauté on the stovetop, if you like), and thread the chicken onto skewers. Heat a charcoal or gas grill; the flame should be fairly low and the rack about 6 inches from the heat.
• Grill the chicken slowly, turning as necessary and basting with any leftover marinade, until it's browned all over, 15 to 20 minutes.

CHICKEN KEBABS

Steps:

• Mix yogurt, lemon juice, onion juice, olive oil, garlic, black pepper, and saffron together in a large bowl. Add chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate, 8 hours to overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove chicken from marinade; thread through skewers. Discard unused marinade.
• Cook on the preheated grill, turning frequently, until golden brown on all sides and meat is no longer pink in the center, about 8 minutes per side.