Who doesn’t love a good kebab? These juicy, air-fried Chicken Tikka Kebabs are perfect for any meal – whether you’re prepping for the week or just craving a flavorful dinner. The chicken gets marinated in a blend of tikka seasoning, yogurt, and a dash of smoked paprika, then cooked to perfection in the air fryer. Pair them with rice, salad, naan, or even pasta, and you’ve got a meal that’s bound to impress. Ready to make your own? Let’s get started!
Method
Marinate the Chicken
To begin, take a large mixing bowl and add the bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken thighs. The next step is to create the marinade. Add the low-fat yogurt, tikka seasoning, smoked paprika, minced garlic (or garlic paste), lemon juice, and olive oil to the bowl. If you’re using red food coloring to add a vibrant color to your chicken, add it to the mix as well (this step is optional). Stir all the ingredients together, ensuring that every piece of chicken is evenly coated in the flavorful marinade. Once well mixed, cover the bowl and let the chicken sit in the refrigerator for at least one hour, or overnight if you have the time. The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavor it absorbs, making it even more delicious.
Prepare the Skewers
After the chicken has marinated and soaked up all the wonderful spices, it’s time to prepare the skewers. Take your soaked wooden skewers, which should have been soaked in water for 30 minutes to prevent them from burning in the air fryer, and carefully thread the marinated chicken onto each skewer. Aim for about 5-6 pieces of chicken on each skewer, ensuring that the pieces are spaced evenly for uniform cooking. Once the skewers are ready, they’re all set to go into the air fryer for cooking.
Air Fry the Kebabs
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (around 400°F). Once the air fryer is heated, place the skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It’s important to make sure there’s enough space between the skewers so the hot air can circulate properly and cook the chicken evenly. If you have multiple skewers, it’s better to cook them in batches rather than overcrowd the air fryer. Set the timer for 20 minutes, and make sure to turn the skewers halfway through the cooking time. This ensures that the chicken gets evenly cooked and develops a beautiful golden-brown crust on all sides. To be extra sure that the chicken is cooked through, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer — it should reach 75°C (165°F).
Garnish and Serve
Once the chicken is perfectly cooked and golden, carefully remove the skewers from the air fryer. Place them on a serving plate and garnish with fresh coriander leaves for an extra burst of flavor and color. These kebabs are now ready to serve! You can enjoy them as they are, or pair them with sides like naan, rice, or a fresh salad. For an added touch, serve the kebabs with a cool, tangy mint yogurt chutney for a delicious contrast to the spicy chicken
Necessary Tools
- Air fryer
- Wooden skewers
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon for stirring
- Serving plate
Chicken Tikka Kebabs: A Flavorful Air-Fried Delight!
Cuisine: Mexican, AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings1
hour20
minutes1
hour20
minutesIngredients
600g boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tbsp low-fat yogurt
2 tbsp tikka seasoning (dry)
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic (paste or minced)
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
2 drops red food coloring (optional)
Wooden skewers (soaked for 30 minutes)
Quick Mint Yogurt Chutney
½ cup low-fat Greek yogurt
2 tsp mint sauce
½ – 1 tsp green chili sauce
Salt to taste
Directions
- In a bowl, add the chicken pieces and all of the ingredients – yogurt, tikka seasoning, paprika, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and red food coloring (if using). Mix everything together until the chicken is evenly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for extra flavor.
- Once the chicken is marinated, take the skewers and carefully thread 5-6 pieces of chicken onto each skewer.
- Set your air fryer to 200°C (about 400°F). Place the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there’s enough space for air to circulate.
- Cook the chicken for 20 minutes, turning the skewers halfway through to ensure they cook evenly. Once done, make sure the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
- Remove the kebabs from the air fryer and top with some fresh coriander. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- When marinating the chicken, make sure it’s evenly coated with the spices for the best flavor.
- Soak the wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning in the air fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd the skewers in the air fryer – cook in batches if necessary. This will ensure the chicken cooks evenly and gets that perfect crispy exterior.
- Always check the chicken’s internal temperature to make sure it’s fully cooked. It should reach 75°C (165°F) for safe consumption.
Serving Suggestions
These kebabs are perfect on their own or with a side of warm naan, fresh salad, or fragrant basmati rice. You can even pair them with a cool mint yogurt chutney for a little extra zing. If you’re feeling adventurous, they also go great with a hearty pasta dish for a unique twist.
Fun Fact
Did you know that chicken tikka is a popular dish from India? It was actually first made in the 1940s by a chef who wanted to make grilled chicken more flavorful. Now, it’s loved worldwide, and it’s the base for many other popular dishes like chicken tikka masala!
Conclusion
These Chicken Tikka Kebabs are a quick and easy way to enjoy a flavorful meal, with minimal effort and maximum taste. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or for a group, this dish is sure to please. With the juicy, spiced chicken paired with a cool mint chutney, every bite is a little bit of heaven. I hope you enjoy these kebabs as much as I do – happy cooking!
