Delicious Halal Chicken Souvlaki Skewers

Get ready to make flavorful and juicy Halal Chicken Souvlaki Skewers right in your own kitchen! This recipe is perfect for beginner cooks who want to prepare a satisfying and delicious meal that’s both easy to follow and incredibly tasty. Refer to the image to see how beautifully these skewers turn out – golden brown and perfectly grilled, served with fresh lemon, vibrant tomatoes, and tender zucchini. This dish is a fantastic way to bring the taste of the Mediterranean to your table, and it’s completely halal, making it ideal for everyone to enjoy.

Halal Ingredients You’ll Need

• 🐔 1.5 lbs Halal Chicken Breast, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 680 grams)
• 🍋 1 Lemon, juiced (you will also need lemon wedges for serving)
• 🫒 1/4 cup Olive Oil (about 60 ml)
• 🌿 2 tablespoons Dried Oregano
• 🧄 2 cloves Garlic, minced (finely chopped)
• 🧂 1 teaspoon Salt
• 🌶️ 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 🍅 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes, halved (about 2 cups)
• 🥒 2 medium Zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds
• 🍚 Cooked Rice, for serving
• 🥛 1 cup Plain Yogurt (for optional sauce, about 240 ml)
• 🌿 1/4 cup Fresh Mint, chopped (for optional sauce, about 6 grams)
• 🌿 Fresh Parsley, chopped, for garnish

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

• 🥣 Large Mixing Bowl
• 🔪 Knife
• 🥄 Measuring Spoons
•        Measuring cups
• 🍋 Lemon Juicer (optional, but helpful)
• 🧄 Garlic Press or mincer (optional)
• 🍢 Skewers (metal or wooden – if using wooden, soak in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning)
• 🔥 Grill or Grill Pan
• 🍽️ Serving Plate

Let’s Learn Basic Kitchen Techniques

What Does ‘Mince’ Mean?

“Mince” means to chop food into very small pieces. When a recipe says to mince garlic, it means to chop the garlic cloves as finely as possible. You can use a knife to mince garlic by rocking the blade back and forth over the garlic until it’s in tiny pieces, or you can use a garlic press, which is a tool specifically designed to mince garlic quickly and easily.

What Does ‘Marinate’ Mean?

“Marinate” means to soak food in a liquid mixture, called a marinade, for a period of time to add flavor and tenderize it. The marinade usually contains oil, acids like lemon juice or vinegar, and seasonings. Marinating allows the flavors to penetrate the food, making it more delicious and tender when cooked. In this recipe, the chicken will be marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper to infuse it with wonderful Mediterranean flavors.

What Does ‘Grill’ Mean?

“Grill” means to cook food over direct heat, usually from below. This can be done on an outdoor grill using charcoal or gas, or indoors using a grill pan on the stovetop. Grilling gives food a smoky flavor and creates those desirable grill marks you see in the image. Grilling is a fast cooking method that’s perfect for chicken skewers and vegetables because it cooks them quickly while keeping them juicy and flavorful.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Halal Chicken Souvlaki

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Marinade

1. In the large mixing bowl, pour in the 1/4 cup of olive oil. Refer to the ingredient list for the exact measurement.
2. Juice the lemon. To juice a lemon, cut it in half and then use a lemon juicer or simply squeeze it firmly over the bowl to extract all the juice. You should get about 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Add the lemon juice to the bowl with the olive oil.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper to the bowl.
4. Peel the garlic cloves. To peel garlic easily, place a clove on a cutting board and gently smash it with the flat side of your knife. The skin will then be easier to remove. Mince the 2 cloves of garlic very finely. Add the minced garlic to the bowl.
5. Mix all the marinade ingredients together well using a spoon until everything is combined.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

1. Take the halal chicken breast cubes and add them to the bowl with the marinade.
2. Using your hands or a spoon, make sure all the chicken pieces are well coated with the marinade. Massage the marinade into the chicken to ensure every piece is flavorful.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid.
4. Place the bowl in the refrigerator and let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes. For even better flavor, you can marinate it for up to 2 hours. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful and tender the chicken will become.

Step 3: Prepare the Vegetables

1. While the chicken is marinating, prepare the vegetables. Wash the cherry tomatoes and zucchini thoroughly under running water.
2. Halve the cherry tomatoes by cutting them in half with a knife. Set them aside.
3. Cut the zucchini into 1/2-inch thick rounds. You can simply slice the zucchini across its width to get round pieces. Set the zucchini rounds aside.

Step 4: Assemble the Skewers

1. If you are using wooden skewers, make sure they have been soaked in water for at least 30 minutes. This prevents them from burning on the grill. If using metal skewers, you can skip this step.
2. Take the marinated chicken pieces and start threading them onto the skewers. Thread about 4-5 chicken cubes onto each skewer, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking.
3. Thread the zucchini rounds onto separate skewers. You can put about 3-4 zucchini rounds per skewer.

Step 5: Grill the Souvlaki

1. Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. If using a grill pan on the stovetop, place it over medium-high heat and let it get hot.
2. Once the grill is hot, carefully place the chicken skewers and zucchini skewers on the grill. Refer to the image to see how nicely grilled the skewers look with slightly charred edges.
3. Grill the chicken skewers for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through and have a nice golden brown color with grill marks. Turn them occasionally to ensure even cooking on all sides. The chicken is cooked through when it is no longer pink inside and the juices run clear when pierced with a fork.
4. Grill the zucchini skewers for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are tender and have grill marks. Turn them occasionally. Zucchini cooks faster than chicken, so keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
5. Remove the chicken and zucchini skewers from the grill and place them on a clean plate.

Step 6: Make the Tzatziki Sauce (Optional)

1. While the skewers are grilling, you can prepare a simple yogurt sauce, similar to Tzatziki, to serve with them. This is optional, but it adds a refreshing creamy element to the dish.
2. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of plain yogurt and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh mint.
3. Mix well to combine. You can add a pinch of salt if you like. Set aside.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!

1. Serve the Halal Chicken Souvlaki Skewers immediately while they are hot and juicy.
2. Arrange the cooked rice on a serving plate. Place the grilled chicken skewers on top of the rice, as shown in the image.
3. Arrange the grilled zucchini skewers and halved cherry tomatoes around the chicken skewers.
4. Garnish with fresh parsley, chopped.
5. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the skewers just before eating.
6. If you made the yogurt sauce, serve it alongside or drizzle it over the chicken skewers.

Enjoy the delightful flavors of homemade Halal Chicken Souvlaki! Making this dish is a wonderful way to enjoy fresh, healthy, and flavorful halal food at home. It’s simpler than you might think to put together such a delicious meal. Don’t be afraid to try it, even if you are just starting out in the kitchen. Each step is straightforward, and the result is incredibly rewarding. Share your amazing halal food dishes with family and friends, and let them experience the joy of homemade cooking!