Description
These Grilled Chicken Adana Kebabs are a flavorful and spicy Turkish-inspired dish made from minced chicken thighs mixed with fresh herbs and spices, then grilled to perfection. Juicy and aromatic, they make an excellent centerpiece for a summer barbecue or a vibrant meal paired with flatbreads and salads.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Herbs
- 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs, cut into 2-inch chunks
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, stemmed and seeded
- 1 medium red onion, trimmed and peeled
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño, stemmed and seeded
Spices and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon red chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent them from burning during grilling.
- Process vegetables: Combine the red bell pepper, red onion, garlic, and jalapeño in a food processor and pulse until minced. Drain the mixture in a sieve to remove excess moisture.
- Process chicken: Pulse the chicken thighs in the food processor until minced. Add the processed vegetables, parsley, cilantro, red chili flakes, sweet paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. Pulse again until well combined and uniformly mixed.
- Form kebabs: Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour to let the flavors meld. Then divide the mixture into 8-10 portions and shape each portion around a 1-inch wide flat metal or soaked wooden skewer, molding and flattening to form kebabs about 6-8 inches long.
- Grill: Preheat the grill to 350°F (175°C) and lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Place the skewers perpendicular to the grill grates. Grill the kebabs for 3-4 minutes on each side until they are cooked through and have a nice char.
Notes
- If wooden skewers are not soaked, they might catch fire on the grill.
- Soaking the bell pepper, onion, garlic, and jalapeño mixture helps remove excess liquid for a better kebab texture.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with ground chicken if desired for convenience.
- Serve with flatbread, yogurt sauce, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Cilantro is optional and can be omitted if not preferred.
