Grilled Chicken Tikka Skewers with Spiced Yogurt Marinade
Tender chicken pieces marinated in a fragrant blend of yogurt and spices, then grilled to smoky perfection. A flavorful street food classic perfect for a quick, satisfying meal. This Indian-inspired street-food recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs boneless chicken thighs, plain yogurt, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 8-10 wooden skewers
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 1 lb boneless chicken thighs into 1.5-inch chunks. In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp ginger paste, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp red chili powder, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp salt. Mix well until smooth and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add the chicken chunks to the marinade, coating thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to absorb the spices.
- Step 3: Soak 8-10 wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated chicken pieces evenly onto the skewers.
- Step 4: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and brush with 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Grill the chicken skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning until the edges are charred and the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, let rest for 5 minutes, then serve hot with a side of fresh cilantro chutney or lemon wedges.









