Jollof-Spiced Grilled Chicken Skewers
Tender chicken skewers marinated in a fragrant blend of Jollof rice spices and grilled to smoky perfection, ideal for African-inspired BBQs. This african-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs tomato paste, medium, grated onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 1.5 lbs, cut into 1-inch cubes boneless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 large, roasted and pureed red bell pepper
- 1 medium, grated onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp grated ginger root
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8, soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp tomato paste, 1 large roasted and pureed red bell pepper, 1 grated medium onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger root, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried thyme, 3 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to form a thick marinade.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch cubes to the marinade, stirring well to coat all pieces. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for deeper 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 each piece.
- Step 4: Grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until chicken is cooked through and slightly charred at the edges.
- Step 5: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with fresh salad or rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Jollof-Spiced Grilled Chicken Skewers take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 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 Jollof-Spiced Grilled Chicken Skewers?
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 tomato paste from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Jollof-Spiced Grilled Chicken Skewers?
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 Jollof-Spiced Grilled Chicken Skewers 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 Jollof-Spiced Grilled Chicken Skewers?
African chicken 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.
