Chicken Kebab Turkish Style Recipes

CHICKEN KEBAB, TURKISH STYLE

Steps:

• Start a charcoal or wood fire or heat a gas grill. The fire should be moderately hot and the rack about 4 inches from the heat source. Mince one onion, and combine it in a large bowl with oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, bay leaves and marjoram or oregano. Taste, and adjust seasoning. Marinate chicken in this mixture for at least a few minutes or overnight in refrigerator.
• If using wooden skewers, soak them in water to cover for a few minutes. Cut remaining onion into quarters, then separate it into large pieces. Thread chicken and onion alternately onto skewers, leaving a little space between pieces.
• Grill, turning as each side browns, and brushing with remaining marinade, for about 12 to 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Serve with lemon wedges or sprinkle with a bit of sumac.

TURKISH CHICKEN SHISH KEBAB

Steps:

• Put the onion and garlic in a food processor and whizz to a very fine pulp. Transfer to a sieve lined with a clean J-cloth and set over a large bowl. Bring the cloth around the pulp and squeeze to extract as much juice as you can (it's best to wear rubber gloves for this, to protect your hands from the smell). Discard the pulp (or save for a tomato sauce base), then mix the juices with the turmeric, tomato purée, yogurt (or milk), paprika and salt. Add the chicken and coat well. Cover and marinate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 (see Make Ahead).
• If you're using wooden skewers, soak them in cold water to stop them burning. Heat the grill to as high as it will go (or see tips). Thread the chicken onto 4-8 metal or wooden skewers, depending on how long they are. Line a baking tray with foil and drizzle with a little oil, then lay the chicken skewers on top. Grill for 10 minutes or until the chicken is blackened and completely cooked through (no need to turn it). Scatter with oregano and sumac, then serve immediately with your choice of accompaniments.

TURKISH CHICKEN KEBABS

Steps:

• Whisk yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, ketchup, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, cumin, black pepper, paprika, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
• Place chicken thigh halves into the yogurt marinade and coat them thoroughly on all sides. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 to 8 hours.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Using 2 skewers for each kebab, thread half of the chicken thighs onto each pair of skewers making a fairly thick "log" shape.
• Place kebabs on grill. Do not try to turn them until they begin to unstick from the grill, 3 or 4 minutes. Turn kebabs and grill the other side 3 or 4 minutes; turn. Continue cooking and turning until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 6 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).