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Meat, Busy evenings

Turkey and paprika skewers with rice

Turkey and paprika skewers are a family dish for 4 people, ready in 40 minutes, rated very easy, at about €2.90 per person. The secret is a short ten minute marinade of lemon and paprika that flavors the turkey without cooking it, followed by a quick broil to add color before serving with rice and a yogurt sauce.

Tonight, turkey skewers marinated in paprika and lemon, grilled in the oven and served with soft rice.

Turkey and paprika skewers with rice
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.90
Calories per person
510 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Grilled turkey turns a warm golden color thanks to the paprika, and stays tender because it only marinates for ten minutes in lemon juice. The bell pepper and onion threaded between the meat add crunch and a touch of sweetness to every bite. The soft rice soaks up the lemony yogurt sauce, finished with a pinch of paprika that echoes the marinade.

This recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight, with no complicated watching required, the oven does the work while the rice cooks alongside. Kids love eating it straight off the skewer, or you can slide the meat off before serving to younger children. It also makes a light, colorful option for a casual summer dinner with friends or family.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Turkey cutlets 600 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Red bell pepper 1
  • Onion 1
  • Lemon 1
  • Garlic 2 cloves

Pantry

  • Paprikaoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Riceoften in the pantry 280 g
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Plain yogurt 2

Allergens Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the turkey into cubes and mix it with the oil, lemon juice, crushed garlic, paprika, salt and pepper. 10 min

    Ten minutes of marinating is enough, any longer and the lemon starts to cook the meat.

  2. Cut the bell pepper and onion into chunks and thread them onto the skewers, alternating with the turkey.

    Pack the pieces close together so the meat stays moist.

  3. Place the skewers on a baking sheet and bake at 220°C, turning them halfway through cooking. 15 min

    Finish with 2 minutes under the broiler to add some color.

  4. Meanwhile, cook the rice in salted water, then drain it. 11 min

    A small drizzle of oil in the water keeps the grains from sticking.

  5. Mix the yogurt with salt, pepper and a splash of lemon, and serve it as a sauce with the skewers.

    Add a pinch of paprika to the sauce to echo the marinade.

Our tips to get it right

  • Cut the turkey cubes to an even size, about 3 cm, so they all cook at the same rate on the tray.
  • Let the turkey sit out for ten minutes before cooking, it grills more evenly than meat straight from the fridge.
  • If you don't have wooden skewers, use reusable metal ones, they don't need soaking in water.

The variations

  • Swap the turkey for chicken cubes, the cooking time and marinade stay the same.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the turkey with zucchini and halloumi cubes, and shorten the oven time to ten minutes.
  • To make it faster for kids, skip the skewers and pan fry the turkey with the sliced pepper and onion instead.

What to serve it with

  • A fresh tomato salad
  • Warm pita bread
  • A cold glass of lemon water

Storage

Cooked skewers keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. Reheat them gently in the oven or a skillet so the turkey doesn't dry out. Store the yogurt sauce separately in the fridge for up to 1 day.

Questions about this dish

Can you prepare the marinade ahead of time?

You can mix the spices, oil and garlic the day before and keep them in the fridge. Add the lemon only right before marinating the turkey, ten minutes ahead of cooking, so it doesn't start cooking the meat too early.

Can these skewers be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze the raw marinated turkey in a freezer bag, before cooking, for up to a month. Thaw it in the fridge the night before, then thread and cook the skewers as usual.

What can replace the plain yogurt in the sauce?

Thick Greek style yogurt or light sour cream both work well in place of plain yogurt. The result will just be a bit richer in texture.

How do you adapt this recipe for young kids?

Slide the turkey off the wooden skewers before serving to avoid any risk. You can also reduce the paprika slightly if your kids prefer milder flavors.

How long does it take to make turkey and paprika skewers with rice?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in turkey and paprika skewers with rice?

About 510 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does turkey and paprika skewers with rice cost?

About €2.90 per serving, or €11.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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