I'm gearing up for a ton of Greece inspired recipes here on WGC and first up... Chicken Skewers with Cilantro Mint Sauce (and some tzatziki on the side because duh!)
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
The food in Greece is exactly my style. It's simple but flavorful, nothing is overly complicated, the sauces and dips are everything and it's mostly healthy. Sums up the recipes here on What's Gaby Cooking am I right? There was tons of fresh fish, octopus, tzatziki and souvlaki. I was in heaven. I've been a recipe that is very similar to souvlaki here, but today it's a new rendition with this cilantro mint sauce that screams summer.
The chicken is marinated in a greek yogurt mixture that you could probably whip up right this second - it's super easy ingredients that are most likely already in your fridge and then grilled until just slightly charred on the outside. Dunk it in the cilantro mint sauce and/or the tzatziki! I'm all about the sauce, so the more dips the better! You could eat these as is at that point, or wrap them up in a pita wrap and squeeze a little lemon or lime juice on top and call it a day.
Whip them up this week and I promise they'll be in regular rotation forever and ever!
Ingredients & Substitutions
For the Chicken Skewers
- Lemon Juice
- Vegetable Oil
- Greek Yogurt
- Garlic
- Tomato Paste
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Salt
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Black Pepper
- Allspice
- Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts
For the Cilantro Mint Sauce
- Fresh Cilantro
- Fresh Mint
- Shallot
- Water
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Serrano Pepper
- Sugar
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper freshly cracked
Extras:
- Pita Wedges
- Tzatziki
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.
How to Make Chicken Skewers
Step 1: Whisk together the lemon juice, vegetable oil, plain yogurt, garlic, tomato paste, salt, oregano, paprika, pepper and allspice in a large bowl.
Step 2: Add the chicken and toss to coat.
Step 3: Transfer the chicken mixture into a large plastic bag; refrigerate at least 4 hours. Preheat an indoor or outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil grate.
Step 4: Thread the chicken onto metal or wooden skewers. Cook on preheated grill until the chicken is golden and no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes each side.
Step 5: Combine the ingredients for the mint cilantro sauce in a blender and blend until smooth. Adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Step 6: Serve the chicken skewers with the cilantro and mint sauce and pita and a raita.
How to Store Chicken Skewers
You can store the cilantro mint sauce and the chicken skewers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Make sure you warm the chicken through and to a safe temperature when eating.
How to Freeze Chicken Skewers
You can freeze cooked chicken for about 3 months. When it is time to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and make sure you warm it through. The cilantro mint sauce also freezes beautifully and is great to have on hand since it goes well with so many dishes!
Tips & Tricks
The cilantro mint sauce would also be great on steak or salmon.
FAQs
Is chicken thigh or chicken breast better for skewers?
While either work well, I normally use chicken thighs when making skewers. Chicken thighs are higher in fat, so the meat will be more tender and juicy after grilling.
What goes well with chicken skewers?
You can pair these up with a pita or a naan. You can also throw in a nice salad, like a Butter Lettuce Salad or Cabbage Salad. Feel free to add another dip along with the cilantro mint sauce- some tzatziki, and top with pickled onions, chopped tomatoes and/or lemon.
Similar Recipes
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today
Chicken Skewers with Cilantro Mint Sauce
Ingredients
For the Chicken Skewers:
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup plain greek yogurt
- 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 pounds skinless boneless chicken breasts - cut into 2 inch chunks
For the Cilantro Mint Sauce:
- 2 cups packed fresh cilantro
- 1 cup packed fresh mint leaves
- 1 shallot
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chopped serrano pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
Extra:
- Pita wedges optional
- Tzatziki optional
Instructions
- Whisk together the lemon juice, vegetable oil, plain yogurt, garlic, tomato paste, salt, oregano, paprika, pepper and allspice in a large bowl; add the chicken and toss to coat. Transfer the chicken mixture into a large plastic bag; refrigerate at least 4 hours.
- Preheat an indoor or outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil grate. Thread the chicken onto metal or wooden skewers. Cook on preheated grill until the chicken is golden and no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes each side.
- Combine the ingredients for the mint cilantro sauce in a blender and blend until smooth. Adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve the chicken skewers with the cilantro and mint sauce and pita and a raita
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking
How many people does this recipe serve?
How many does this serve?
4-6
If I don’t like cilantro can I substitute something else for the sauce like parsley?
sure can
Easy and delicious, definitely my jam!
The marinade on this chicken is one of the best marinades I've ever used! It makes the grilled chicken taste like shawarma! So good, thank you!
Yum!! How is the best way to cook these if I don't have a grill?
Thanks!
use an indoor grill pan or skillet!
I wish I had this right now.
I made this for dinner tonight, it was a hit with my family! Delicious!
Ooh that cilantro mint sauce sounds SO good!
Give me that sauce!
Anything on a skewer during summer is a-ok with me 🙂 Perfect party grub!
Anything with Cilantro is a winner in my book. These look delicious.
Everything about this looks amazing. Love the sauce and miss Greece so much!
Oh i bet this would be divine on beef or lamb too! Let's just have a meat and condiment party. Mmm k?
This cilantro mint sauce THOUGH! Cannot wait to give it a try!!