Tandoori-Inspired Grilled Chicken Kabobs - Cookin Canuck - Healthy Grilling Recipe (2024)

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Up your grilling game with these flavorful Tandoori Grilled Chicken Kabobs. Serve them up with grilled naan bread and yogurt for an amazing meal! 188 calories and 4 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP
Tandoori-Inspired Grilled Chicken Kabobs - Cookin Canuck - Healthy Grilling Recipe (1)

Tandoori Grilled Chicken Kabobs Recipe

When the first batch of grilled chicken kabobs hits our dinner table, I know that summertime weather has arrived. While kabobs are a great option for a backyard barbecue with friends, this healthy dinner recipe is easy enough for a weeknight meal, particularly if you marinate the chicken earlier in the day.

If you've tried my Grilled Paprika Yogurt Chicken Kabobs, you know that yogurt marinades do wonders for chicken. The yogurt and lemon juice help to tenderize the chicken while also adding a bit of tang that pairs well with spices. We like to tuck the chicken pieces and grilled vegetables into grilled naan, along with some yogurt and mango chutney, forming a quasi-taco.

What is tandoori chicken?

  • Tandoori chicken is a traditional Indian dish that gets its name from the clay oven that it's cooked in. If you've ever wandered through an upscale cooking store, you've probably seen the bell-shaped tandoor ovens, like this one, on display. This kabob recipe eliminates the tandoor oven and moves the cooking to the grill.
  • Tandoori chicken is marinated in a yogurt based marinade that is flavored with a variety of Indian spices. To make this a weeknight-friendly recipe, I opted to use curry paste and ginger in place of the individual spices. Not traditional, but still delicious!
  • If you've ever ordered tandoori chicken in a restaurant, you likely were presented with bright red meat, which is the product of food coloring. No food coloring is used in this kebab recipe.

Tandoori-Inspired Grilled Chicken Kabobs - Cookin Canuck - Healthy Grilling Recipe (2)

How long to grill chicken kabobs:

  • Grilling time for any type of meat depends on three main factors: Temperature of the barbecue, size of the pieces of meat and the type of meat.
  • Heat: For this recipe, I recommend cooking the kabobs on medium-high heat. This produces a bit of char on the surface of the meat while still evenly cooking the chicken.
  • Size: Cut the chicken thighs into approximately 1 ½-inch pieces. Even-sized pieces promotes even cooking.
  • Type: Quite simply, different types of meat cook differently. For example, chicken will cook differently than steak. Even chicken thighs will cook differently than chicken breasts.
  • Taking all of these factors into consideration, these chicken kabobs take about 12 minutes to cook, turning halfway through.

Tandoori-Inspired Grilled Chicken Kabobs - Cookin Canuck - Healthy Grilling Recipe (3)

How to cook kabobs in the oven:

  • No barbecue? No problem. Chicken kabobs can be cooked in the oven. And with one extra step, you can even achieve a bit of char on the outside to mimic grilled kabobs.
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with foil and place a rack on top of the foil. Lightly coat the rack with cooking spray.
  • Place the kabobs on the rack and cook for about 10 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through.
  • Turn on the broiler, move up your oven rack and broil the kabobs for 2 to 3 minutes to produce a little char on the outside.

Tandoori-Inspired Grilled Chicken Kabobs - Cookin Canuck - Healthy Grilling Recipe (4)

Other healthy grilled chicken recipes:

Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken {Cookin' Canuck}
{Cookin' Canuck}
Cuban Mojo Chicken with a Citrus Avocado Salsa {Chelsea's Messy Apron}
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Salad with Lime Vinaigrette {Killing Thyme}

Printable Recipe

Tandoori-Inspired Grilled Chicken Kabobs - Cookin Canuck - Healthy Grilling Recipe (5)

Tandoori Grilled Chicken Kabobs

Up your grilling game with these flavorful Tandoori Grilled Chicken Kabobs. Serve them up with grilled naan bread and yogurt for an amazing meal!

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Entrees

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: Chicken, Gluten Free, kabobs

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Resting time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 27 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 kabobs

Calories: 187.7kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice fresh
  • ¼ cup mild curry paste (I use Patak's)
  • ¾ teaspoons kosher salt divided
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 ¼ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs trimmed & cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
  • ¼ red onion rings separated & cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
  • 1 red bell pepper cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, stir together the yogurt, lemon juice, curry paste, ½ teaspoon salt and garlic powder. Add the chicken pieces and stir to coat. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours.

  • If using wooden skewers, soak in warm water for at least 30 minutes.

  • Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Lightly brush the grill with canola oil.

  • Place the onion and red bell pepper pieces in a medium bowl. Toss with olive oil, ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper.

  • Thread the chicken (shake off and discard excess marinade), onion and red bell pepper pieces onto 6 skewers.

  • Grill until the chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes, turning halfway through cooking. Serve.

Notes

Weight Watchers Points: 4 (Freestyle SmartPoints), 5 (Points+)

Nutrition

Serving: 1kabob | Calories: 187.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.4g | Protein: 26.2g | Fat: 6.8g | Saturated Fat: 1.3g | Cholesterol: 96.7mg | Sodium: 271.4mg | Fiber: 1.1g | Sugar: 1.8g

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

Tandoori-Inspired Grilled Chicken Kabobs - Cookin Canuck - Healthy Grilling Recipe (6)

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Tandoori-Inspired Grilled Chicken Kabobs - Cookin Canuck - Healthy Grilling Recipe (7)

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    Tandoori-Inspired Grilled Chicken Kabobs - Cookin Canuck - Healthy Grilling Recipe (12)
    The tandoori grilled chicken kabobs look so tasty and thank you for sharing this delicious recipe with us!

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Tandoori-Inspired Grilled Chicken Kabobs - Cookin Canuck - Healthy Grilling Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are grilled kabobs healthy? ›

Lean protein and veggies

Some of the healthiest skewers include a lean protein, such as chicken or fish, combined with vibrant, crunchy, and delicious mixed vegetables. The possibilities are endless, and by cutting out the higher fat BBQ foods, you can promote heart health and weight loss.

Can you cook kabobs in an air fryer? ›

Cooking the Skewers

Air fry for about 6 to 8 minutes or until golden and charred on top and then rotate. Spray with oil again and air fry for another 6 to 8 minutes! And that's it, you have chicken kabobs in 15 minutes all in the air fryer.

How many calories in a grilled chicken kabob? ›

Per serving: 300 calories (90 from fat), 10g total fat, 2g saturated fat, 115mg cholesterol, 360mg sodium, 11g carbohydrates (3g dietary fiber, 6g sugar), 41g protein.

How do you cook kabobs? ›

Lightly oil the grill grate. Discard marinade. Thread meat and vegetables onto skewers, leaving a small space between each item. Grill skewers, turning as needed, until meat is cooked through and vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

Can I eat chicken kabab during weight loss? ›

The chicken will be ideal for your doner kebab because it has a lot of protein, particularly lean protein. If you're on a diet, doner kebab with chicken will help you lose weight quickly. Pitta bread is packed with minerals like calcium, protein, and fiber.

Is chicken tandoori healthy? ›

Chicken Tandoori is a healthy dish thanks to its lean meat amount and the cooking technique. It was traditionally cooked in the clay tandoor, which can be built from clay or metal. Heat generated in the tandoor helps the chicken to get roast.

How do you grill kabobs without burning vegetables? ›

Putting meat and veggies on the same skewer is an amateur move. Since they cook dissimilarly, the veggies will burn before the meat is cooked, especially if you're cooking chicken. So, skewer them separately, veggies on one skewer, meat on another.

Can you put foil in an air fryer? ›

The great news about air fryers is that you can use foil along with parchment paper to cook your food in an air fryer. Just remember that if it's safe and effective to use in a conventional oven, it will work just fine in an air fryer.

Do you need to soak wooden skewers for air fryer? ›

Tips for the BEST Air Fryer Chicken Skewers:

Soak Wooden Skewers: I did not experience my skewers burning, but if you do and you're using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning in the air fryer.

Are grilled chicken kebabs healthy? ›

The answer is a resounding yes! Kebabs, when prepared mindfully and with nutritious ingredients, can be a delicious and balanced meal option. By choosing lean meats, loading up on vegetables, and being mindful of sauces and portion sizes, you can enjoy this delightful dish while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Is grilled chicken shish kebab healthy? ›

Doner kebabs can be high in fat. For a healthier option, go for a shish kebab, which is a skewer with whole cuts of meat or fish and usually grilled. If you're having a burger, avoid breaded or battered chicken or fish patties, extra cheese, bacon strips and high-fat sauces such as mayonnaise.

How much protein is in 2 chicken kebabs? ›

Chicken Kebab Nutritional Facts and Calories
Amount Per Serving% DV
Carbs3g1%
SugarsN/A
Fiber0g0%
Proteins15g20%
7 more rows

What is the trick to grilling kabobs? ›

All Rights Reserved.
  1. 1: Don't forget to soak those skewers!
  2. 2: Cut ingredients into similar sizes — but position them smartly, too.
  3. 3: Don't shy away from cooking veggies and meat on the same skewer.
  4. 4: Don't overstuff your skewer.
  5. 5: Get some help from aluminum foil.
  6. 6: Grill over direct heat for a nice sear.

How to grill perfect kabobs? ›

Grill kabobs over direct heat of approximately 400°F. Kabobs with 3/4-inch cubes require approximately 8 to 10 minutes of total time on the grill, flipping halfway through. Bigger chunks will take a few more minutes.

Do you close the grill when cooking kabobs? ›

4) Then, prepare the grill for direct grilling over medium heat (350-450 degrees) and allow it to preheat for 10-15 minutes. Brush the cooking grate clean. 5) Now, grill the Kabobs over direct medium heat turning once or twice. Keep the lid closed as much as possible.

Are kebabs healthy or unhealthy? ›

"Kebabs are a healthier fast food option because they are not deep-fried and include bread and salad. However, kebab meat does contain fat and the amount will vary depending on the meat used. The better quality kebabs use New Zealand lamb shoulder steak, which has around 10-15% fat.

Is kebab meat healthy or unhealthy? ›

Kebabs can be a healthier fast food option as they are not deep-fried and include bread and salad. The meat used in kebabs, usually lamb or chicken, is a high-protein source, which can be beneficial for those trying to maintain or lose weight.

How many calories are in a grilled kabob? ›

Results for "Grilled Chicken Kabob"

Other sizes: 1 serving - 581kcal, 100 g - 151kcal, 1 oz - 43kcal, more...

What are the benefits of kabobs? ›

The Health Benefits of Kebabs
  • Lean Protein: Our kebabs are primarily made from lean meats like chicken, beef, or lamb, providing your body with high-quality protein. ...
  • Abundant Herbs and Spices: our kebabs are marinated with a blend of Middle Eastern spices and herbs, such as sumac, cumin, and fresh mint.
Nov 22, 2023

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