Sumac-Spiced Grilled Chicken Skewers with Garlic Yogurt Dip

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken skewers marinated in tangy sumac and warm spices, grilled to perfection and served with a creamy garlic yogurt dip. This middle eastern-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, ground sumac, ground cumin 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.

★ 4.4 (12 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Middle Eastern cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 tbsp ground sumac, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes and toss well to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
  2. Step 2: Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto the skewers evenly.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill skewers for 4-5 minutes per side until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix 1 cup plain Greek yogurt with 1 minced garlic clove and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Add a pinch of salt and stir until combined.
  5. Step 5: Serve the hot chicken skewers with the garlic yogurt dip on the side for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sumac-Spiced Grilled Chicken Skewers with Garlic Yogurt Dip take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Sumac-Spiced Grilled Chicken Skewers with Garlic Yogurt Dip?

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 ground sumac from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sumac-Spiced Grilled Chicken Skewers with Garlic Yogurt Dip?

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 Sumac-Spiced Grilled Chicken Skewers with Garlic Yogurt Dip 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 Sumac-Spiced Grilled Chicken Skewers with Garlic Yogurt Dip?

Middle Eastern 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.

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