Grilled Jollof-Spiced Chicken Skewers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-23 · Updated 2026-05-23

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Charred chicken skewers marinated in a fragrant blend inspired by West African Jollof spices, perfect for grilling season. This African-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs chicken breast, tomato paste, red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 African cuisine 250 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breast
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 medium, blended red bell pepper
1 small, finely chopped onion
3 minced garlic cloves
1 tbsp grated ginger
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp dried thyme
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
8 soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers

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Instructions

Step 1: In a blender, combine 3 tbsp tomato paste, 1 blended medium red bell pepper, 1 finely chopped small onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger. Blend until smooth.
Step 2: Transfer the blend to a bowl and stir in 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
Step 3: Add 1 lb chicken breast cubes to the marinade, tossing to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto 8 soaked wooden skewers evenly.
Step 5: Grill the skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and has charred edges.
Step 6: Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with a fresh salad or steamed rice.