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The starter, From around the world

Chicken tikka skewers with raita

Chicken tikka with raita is an Indian starter of chicken skewers marinated in yogurt and spices, grilled and served with a cool cucumber sauce, for 6 people. It takes 30 minutes of active work, the marinade and raita are made in the morning for the evening, and the skewers are grilled right before guests arrive. Easy to make, about €2.10 per person, success comes down to a two hour marinade, not longer, for tender, flavorful chicken.

Chicken skewers marinated in yogurt and spices, grilled, with a cool cucumber raita, India on a platter.

Chicken tikka skewers with raita
For
6 people
Work
30 min
Total time
2 h 20
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.10
Calories per person
290 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Chicken tikka is chicken marinated in yogurt, lemon, and spices, then grilled until the edges char just slightly, which is where most of the flavor comes from. The yogurt keeps the meat tender, and the garam masala, paprika, turmeric, and cumin give it a warm color and a scent that sets the tone for the meal without being too spicy for kids.

Served with a cold cucumber and mint raita, this dish works well as a friendly starter for a dinner party or a family meal in spring or summer, especially if you can grill outside. It opens a menu that continues with other flavors from around the world, without keeping you in the kitchen all evening.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 2 steps, 2 h
  3. Before the guests arrive 2 steps, 12 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

In the morning, make the marinade and let the chicken marinate for two hours while you prepare the raita, then chill it. Right before guests arrive, thread the chicken onto the skewers and grill them. When it's time to serve, pull the cold raita from the fridge and serve the skewers hot, straight off the grill.

The ingredients

6 people

Butcher

  • Chicken breasts 800 g

Dairy

  • Plain yogurt 300 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Lemon 1
  • Fresh ginger 1 tsp
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Cucumber 1
  • Mint 6 sprigs

Pantry

  • Garam masalaoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Paprikaoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Cuminoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Wooden skewers 12
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Lactose

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Mix half the yogurt with the lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and spices, add the chicken cubes, and let marinate. 2 h

    Don't go past eight hours, the chicken would turn mushy.

  2. Grate the cucumber, squeeze out the water, mix it with the rest of the yogurt, the mint, and a pinch of salt for the raita, then chill.

    Squeeze the cucumber well, it releases a lot of water.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers.

    Leave a little space between the pieces, heat circulates better.

  2. Grill the skewers, turning them, until golden and cooked through. 12 min

    A few charred spots are normal, that's the taste of tikka.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Serve the hot skewers with the cold raita.

    Add a squeeze of lemon over the skewers to brighten them up.

Our tips to get it right

  • Cut the chicken breasts into even cubes, about three centimeters, so they all cook at the same rate on the skewers.
  • If you're cooking in a skillet instead of on a grill, use a hot pan and don't overcrowd it, the chicken should brown, not steam in its own juices.
  • Soak the wooden skewers in cold water for about twenty minutes before using them, so they don't burn during cooking.

The variations

  • Swap the chicken for paneer or firm tofu cubes marinated the same way, for a vegetarian version that's just as flavorful.
  • For a quicker version, cook the marinated chicken straight in a skillet in pieces, without threading it onto skewers.
  • For kids, skip the paprika or cut the spices in half in the marinade, the yogurt already mellows the flavor a lot.

What to serve it with

  • Warm naan bread or pita
  • Basmati rice to turn it into a main
  • Fresh lemonade or mint iced tea

Storage

Cooked chicken tikka keeps for two days in the fridge in a sealed container, the raita keeps for one day since it releases water over time. You can reheat the skewers for a few minutes in a hot pan, but the raita is always best served cold, ideally freshly made.

Questions about this recipe

Can you cook this in the oven instead of on a grill?

Yes, bake the skewers at 220 degrees for twelve to fifteen minutes, flipping halfway through. They won't have quite the same smoky flavor, but they'll stay tender and well seasoned.

What kind of yogurt works best for the marinade and raita?

A plain whole milk yogurt, like Greek style or strained yogurt, gives the best result because it's thicker and clings better to the chicken. Avoid low fat yogurts, they release too much water.

How should you plate the skewers for a dinner party?

Arrange the skewers on a large platter with the raita in a small bowl in the center, and add a few mint sprigs and lemon wedges around it. A squeeze of lemon right before serving brightens up the spices.

Can you make this for more than 6 people?

Yes, just scale the quantities up proportionally, keeping the same two hour marinade time. Plan for more skewers and a bit more grilling time if you're cooking in batches.

Can chicken tikka skewers with raita be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 30 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 2 steps, before the guests arrive, 2 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make chicken tikka skewers with raita?

Allow 2 h 20 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 30 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in chicken tikka skewers with raita?

About 290 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does chicken tikka skewers with raita cost?

About €2.10 per person, that's €12.60 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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