Grilled Street-Style Chicken Skewers with Spiced Yogurt Marinade

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken pieces marinated in a spiced yogurt blend, grilled to smoky perfection and served with a tangy dipping sauce. This middle eastern-inspired street food ready in about 27 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, plain yogurt, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 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 Middle Eastern cuisine 290 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper in a bowl. Whisk until smooth to make the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Cut 1 lb boneless chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes and toss thoroughly in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
  3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, dividing evenly.
  4. Step 4: Grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through and has light char marks.
  5. Step 5: Meanwhile, mix 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt with 1 tsp fresh lemon zest for a bright dipping sauce.
  6. Step 6: Remove skewers from grill, garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, and serve immediately with the lemon yogurt dip.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Street-Style Chicken Skewers with Spiced Yogurt Marinade take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Street-Style Chicken Skewers with Spiced Yogurt Marinade?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep boneless chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Street-Style Chicken Skewers with Spiced Yogurt Marinade?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Street-Style Chicken Skewers with Spiced Yogurt Marinade for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Street-Style Chicken Skewers with Spiced Yogurt Marinade?

Middle Eastern street food like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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