Gladiator Chicken Skewers Recipes

GRILLED CHICKEN SKEWERS WITH TARRAGON AND YOGURT

Steps:

• Prepare the chicken: Cut each thigh in half against the grain. Rub with salt and set aside.
• Prepare the marinade: In a small bowl, mix the yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, salt and garlic. Reserve and refrigerate 1 cup marinade for serving. Put remaining marinade into a large resealable plastic bag and add the ginger, cumin and chicken; squelch around to coat thoroughly then refrigerate for 1 hour, or up to 48 hours.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 1 hour before you plan to grill. If using wooden skewers, immerse them in water to soak for 15 minutes. Alternatively, use metal skewers or none at all.
• Prepare the grill: Clean the grate thoroughly and build a hot fire. The skewers will cook over intense, direct heat. The coals are ready when they glow red and the grate hisses when you drop water on it.
• Thread the chicken lengthwise onto skewers (if using), then smear with the marinade from the bag.
• Prepare the baste: Place the butter and salt in a small saucepan to melt on the cooler side of the grill (or use the stovetop). Once butter is melted, add the lime juice and chopped herbs; keep warm but do not boil.
• Grilling in batches if necessary, place the chicken on the grill a few inches apart. When you see a good char forming underneath, about 3 to 5 minutes, gently tug a skewer or the chicken: If it feels very stuck, leave it a few more minutes before turning. When the chicken releases easily and looks nicely charred in places, flip it using a fish spatula to gently pry any stuck bits off the grate.
• Baste the chicken with the herb butter and arrange the scallions in a single layer on the cooler edges of the grill. Let the chicken cook on the second side until firm and cooked through and turn the scallions occasionally until grill-marked and tender, about 8 minutes.
• Grill the pitas until marked, about 1 minute, turning halfway through. Lay them on the serving platter and place the scallions and chicken on top. Drizzle the bread, scallions and chicken with any remaining warm herb butter. Dollop chicken with reserved marinade, squeeze with lime and top with extra tarragon or mint.

GLADIATOR CHICKEN SKEWERS

Steps:

• •Thread chicken onto six metal or soaked wooden skewers. In a shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, chili powder, salt, pepper and cayenne. Coat chicken with crumb mixture. In a large skillet, brown chicken in batches in butter. Place skewers on a greased baking sheet. • Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 8-10 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 170°. • Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the sour cream, cilantro, lime juice if desired and salt. Serve with chicken skewers.

SPICY CUMIN CHICKEN HEART SKEWERS

Steps:

• To make the chicken hearts: Butterfly the chicken hearts by slicing them lengthwise, cutting deeply without cutting them entirely in half.
• Smash the green onions and ginger with clean hands to release their flavors.
• Add the smashed green onions and ginger, along with the Sichuan peppercorns, five-spice powder, cooking wine, and salt to a container along with 1 cup (240 ml) water to make a marinade.
• Add the chicken hearts to the marinade and stir well to combine. Cover the container with plastic wrap and let marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Any longer and you risk over-marinating.
• To grill and serve: Thread 5 chicken hearts onto each skewer. The skewers may be kept refrigerated, covered, before cooking for no longer than 2 hours.
• Prepare a robata or other grill with charcoal that has turned ashy gray and is smoldering hot but not actively emitting flames. Set the skewers down on the grill surface and cook for 2 minutes, then flip over and cook for an additional 2 minutes. When the meat tightens up and oil begins to seep out, it is almost done. At this point, brush the oil on one side of the meat, then sprinkle half of the cumin, red chili powder, and salt, to taste, on top.
• Flip the skewers over and season the other side in the same way. Flip the skewers once more and toast the newly seasoned side for about 30 seconds. Cook for about a minute or so more on each side.
• Remove the cooked skewers to a plate, sprinkle with the sesame seeds, and serve immediately.
• Note: When brushing oil and sauce on the meat while over the fire, do so sparingly, dabbing off any excess, so it doesn't drip onto the flames. If at any point the flames flare up, remove the skewers from the grill until the flames die down.

YAKITORI (GRILLED CHICKEN SKEWERS)

Steps:

• Cut chicken into one-inch pieces and place in a shallow dish.
• In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce or tamari, mirin, sake or sherry, brown sugar, garlic and ginger. Bring to a simmer and cook for 7 minutes, until thickened. Reserve 2 tablespoons sauce for serving. Pour remaining sauce over chicken, cover, and chill for at least one hour (and up to 4 hours).
• If using wooden or bamboo skewers, soak them in water for one hour. Preheat grill or broiler. Thread chicken pieces onto skewers, and grill or broil, turning halfway, for about 3 minutes for livers, 10 minutes for gizzards and 6 minutes for thighs. Serve drizzled with reserved sauce and garnished with scallions.

GREEK CHICKEN SKEWERS

Steps:

• Whisk lemon juice, oil, vinegar, onion flakes, garlic, lemon zest, Greek seasoning, poultry seasoning, oregano, pepper, and thyme together in a bowl and pour into a resealable plastic bag.
• Add chicken, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Remove chicken from the marinade and shake off excess; thread onto skewers. Discard the remaining marinade. Place the skewers on a baking sheet.
• Roast in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes.