Air Fryer Chicken Tikka Kebabs
These kebabs are incredibly delicious – the diced chicken is supremely juicy on the inside yet wonderfully crisp outside due to their coating of spices and yoghurt marinade.
- yield: 8 KEBABS
- prep time: 10 MINUTES
- cook time: 20 MINUTES
- additional time: 30 MINUTES
- total time: 1 HOUR
Ingredients:
- 500g boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons tikka masala paste (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- Bamboo skewers (pre-soaked in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning)
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the plain yogurt, lemon juice, tikka masala paste, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, turmeric, chili powder, vegetable oil, garam masala, and salt. Mix everything together to form a smooth marinade.
- Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, making sure each piece is coated evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the chicken and marinade to a ziplock bag. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight, to develop the flavors.
- After marinating, preheat your air fryer to 180°C (360°F).
- While the air fryer is heating, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the pre-soaked bamboo skewers.
- Place the chicken skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. You may need to cook them in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook the chicken tikka kebabs in the air fryer for about 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process for even browning. Make sure the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken tikka kebabs from the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes.
- Serve the delicious air fryer chicken tikka kebabs with a side of mint chutney, sliced onions, and lemon wedges for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes:
- You can customize the level of spiciness by adjusting the amount of chili powder in the marinade.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can also cook these chicken tikka kebabs on a grill or in the oven. If using the oven, preheat it to 200°C (400°F) and bake the skewers on a lined baking sheet for approximately 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.
- To ensure juicy and tender chicken, avoid overcooking the kebabs, as chicken breast meat can become dry if cooked for too long.
- Feel free to add your favorite vegetables to the skewers for added color and nutrition. Bell peppers and onions work particularly well with chicken tikka kebabs.
- If using wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning in the air fryer or oven.
