Recipe: Sweet & Smoky BBQ Chicken Skewers

This recipe requires very little effort, but the rewards are big. Using brown sugar as part of the spice rub assists in the 'Maillard reaction' (a flavourful, browned crust). It also balances out the other spices, creating an irresistible, sweet-smoky flavour, but only after a long marination in the fridge (do not take shortcuts). We love cooking these skewers on a Blok Table Grill; you can cook them right on the grilling surface, or use the Skewer Attachment for optimal spin and control.

Ingredients

50g demerara sugar
8g salt
8g garlic powder
4g smoked paprika powder
4g whole cumin seeds
4g whole coriander seeds
450g diced chicken breasts or thigh fillets
Sweet peppers (for skewers)
Onions (for skewers)

Method

  1. Put the sugar, salt, garlic powder, paprika, cumin and coriander in a pestle and mortar and grind until the texture is fine and the spices are well-mixed.
  2. Sprinkle the spice mix over the diced chicken breasts and mix until evenly dispersed. Let the chicken marinate in the fridge overnight, for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.
  3. Prepare the vegetables for your skewers. Cut the top and bottom of the sweet pepper to create a stable base. Then slice down the sides to create four flat pieces. Cut them into rough 1-inch squares and set aside. Cut an onion into quarters with the skin on; and discard the core, as well as the top and bottom ends. Remove the skin and cut the onion into wedges, so you have a few stacked petals.
  4. Take the chicken out of the fridge and place them on the skewers, alternating each piece with onions and bell peppers. Place in the fridge until you are ready to barbecue.
  5. Set up your Blok grill by removing the grill top and arranging the charcoal in a pyramid shape at the base. Light with a fire lighter. Once the charcoal is covered in white ash (15-20 minutes), carefully spread the charcoal out evenly and place the grill top back on. If using, place the Blok Skewer Rack on top of the grill. Cook for approximately 10-15 minutes, making sure to turn the skewers so it cooks evenly all around. Enjoy! 

BK Tips

  • If you don't have an outdoor barbecue, you can cook this recipe indoors on a grill pan, griddle, or skillet; just make sure your kitchen is well-ventilated. 

  • The longer the skewer, the better, so they are easier to spin. Blok Skewers are ideal. 

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