Grilled Zanzibar Spice-Marinated Chicken Skewers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-23 · Updated 2026-07-23

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.

Juicy chicken skewers marinated in a blend of fragrant Zanzibar spices, grilled to perfection with a smoky char. This African-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs plain yogurt, lemon juice, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 African cuisine 280 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

1 lb chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
1/2 cup plain yogurt
2 tbsp lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp vegetable oil
8 wooden skewers, soaked in water

The grilling tools we’d reach for here → Best Grilling Tools and BBQ Gadgets for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground cardamom, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, and 1 tsp salt; whisk until smooth.
Step 2: Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thigh pieces to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly; cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, leaving a little space between pieces.
Step 4: Brush the grill grates with 2 tbsp vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through and has charred edges.
Step 5: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with a side of coconut rice or salad.