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The main dish, Light and fresh

Yogurt marinated chicken skewers with fresh salad

Yogurt marinated chicken skewers are a summer dish for 6 people, marinated overnight in mint and lemon yogurt, then grilled the day of the meal with a fresh cucumber and tomato salad. They take 25 minutes of active work, are very easy to make, cost about €3.80 per person, and the key to success is the overnight marinade that tenderizes the chicken.

Chicken skewers that spent the night in mint yogurt, grilled just right, with a crisp salad on the side.

Yogurt marinated chicken skewers with fresh salad
For
6 people
Work
25 min
Total time
1 h
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€3.80
Calories per person
360 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

The chicken spends the night in a yogurt marinade with mint, garlic, and lemon, and it makes a real difference. The meat stays moist on the grill, flavored all the way through, without the dryness you usually worry about with grilled chicken breast. Cumin adds a warm note that recalls southern grilling without turning the dish into a curry.

This is a recipe built for summer evenings, when you want to grill outside without spending the afternoon in the kitchen. The cucumber, tomato, and red onion salad brings the crunch and freshness that skewers often lack. Serve this for a casual dinner with friends, a birthday on the patio, or a light family meal on a hot day.

The schedule

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

  1. The day before 1 step
  2. The same day 1 step
  3. Before the guests arrive 2 steps
  4. When it's time to serve 2 steps, 12 min

The night before, mix the marinade and let the chicken rest in the fridge overnight. The morning of, soak the wooden skewers in water. Right before guests arrive, make the salad without salting it and thread the chicken onto the skewers. At serving time, grill the skewers for 10 to 12 minutes, salt the salad at the last minute, and serve everything together.

The ingredients

6 people

Butcher

  • Chicken breasts 1 kg

Dairy

  • Plain Greek yogurt 250 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Fresh mint 0.5 bunch
  • Lemon 2
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Cucumbers 2
  • Tomatoes 4
  • Red onion 1

Pantry

  • Ground cuminoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Wooden skewersoften in the pantry 12
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Lactose

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Cut the chicken into 3 cm cubes. Mix the yogurt, crushed garlic, half the chopped mint, the juice of one lemon, the cumin, the oil, salt, and pepper, coat the chicken, and cover.

    Add the salt to the marinade, it helps the chicken hold onto its juices.

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

  1. Soak the wooden skewers in cold water so they don't burn.

    Half an hour is enough, don't leave them soaking overnight.

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

  1. Dice the cucumbers and tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, mix with the remaining mint and the juice of the second lemon. Keep chilled without salting.

    Salt the salad at the last minute, that way the cucumber won't release its water.

  2. Thread the chicken onto the skewers, pressing the pieces together a little, leaving the ends free.

    Alternate chicken cubes with small onion wedges for extra juiciness.

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

  1. Grill the skewers on a very hot grill or ridged pan for 10 to 12 minutes, turning them occasionally. 12 min

    Wipe off excess marinade before grilling, it would burn instead of browning.

  2. Salt the salad, add a drizzle of oil, and serve the skewers on top.

    A spoonful of fresh yogurt on the side makes an instant sauce.

Our tips to get it right

  • Don't cut the chicken too small, 3 cm cubes stay juicy on the grill while thinner pieces dry out fast.
  • If you don't have a grill, a hot ridged grill pan leaves nice marks too, the key is getting the surface very hot before adding the skewers.
  • Plan on two skewers per person if you have big eaters, the amount of chicken easily allows for it.

The variations

  • Swap the chicken for marinated halloumi cubes for a vegetarian version, they only need 6 to 8 minutes on the grill.
  • For kids, leave the cumin out of the marinade and serve the plain chicken on the stick, skip the salad if they're not into it.
  • For a quicker version, marinate the chicken for 2 hours instead of overnight, the flavor will be a bit milder but still good.

What to serve it with

  • Basmati rice or warm pita bread
  • A yogurt and mint sauce
  • Iced tea or homemade lemonade

Storage

Raw marinated chicken keeps for 24 hours in the fridge in a sealed container. Cooked skewers keep for 2 days in the fridge and reheat gently in a pan, the salad doesn't freeze and is best eaten fresh.

Questions about this recipe

Can you cook the skewers in the oven instead of on the grill?

Yes, 15 to 18 minutes at 200 degrees, flipping halfway, works well. The surface won't caramelize as much as on a grill, but the chicken stays moist.

What kind of yogurt works best for the marinade?

A thick, plain Greek yogurt coats the chicken better than a runny one. Avoid flavored or sweetened yogurts, they throw off the balance of the dish.

How should you present the skewers for a dinner with friends?

Lay the skewers directly on a bed of the salad on a large platter, it makes a simple, colorful centerpiece. Scatter a few fresh mint leaves on top for color.

Can you use chicken thighs instead of breast?

Yes, boneless thighs work very well and actually stay even juicier. Plan on a slightly longer cooking time, about 2 to 3 more minutes per side.

Can yogurt marinated chicken skewers with fresh salad be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 25 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 1 step, the same day, 1 step, before the guests arrive, 2 steps, when it's time to serve, 2 steps.

How long does it take to make yogurt marinated chicken skewers with fresh salad?

Allow 1 h in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 25 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in yogurt marinated chicken skewers with fresh salad?

About 360 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 yogurt marinated chicken skewers with fresh salad cost?

About €3.80 per person, that's €22.80 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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