Chicken Kebabs are the perfect meal for when you are running low on points. They are filling, packed with vegetables, and they taste great….oh and these kebabs will cost you zero points!
Why you should try Chicken Kebabs
For those following the Weight Watchers program, chicken kebabs are a five-star recipe. Packed with lean chicken breast, a myriad of spices, and plenty of vegetables, this dish earns high marks while requiring minimal effort to prepare.
While pita bread is the traditional accompaniment for kebabs, it’s preferable to enjoy a small portion of bread and complement it with an abundance of refreshing vegetables such as tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, and other Middle Eastern favorites.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Serving size: 300 g.
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 400 g)
- 1 red onion, cut into chunks
- 2 bell pepper (red, green, or yellow), cut into chunks
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- For the marinade:
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt (120 g)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- For serving:
- Tomatoes, sliced
- Cucumbers, sliced
- Pita bread
Instructions:
Dice the chicken breast into 3 cm cubes. Pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
Next, chop the peppers, zucchini, and onion into pieces similar in size to the chicken cubes.
Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, mix together the black pepper, salt, paprika, garlic powder, yogurt, and ground cumin until well combined.
Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken cubes in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover the dish or seal the bag, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
Prepare the Skewers: If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes to prevent them from burning during grilling. Once soaked, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, alternating with chunks of red onion, bell pepper, and slices of zucchini.
Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 375-400°F (190-200°C). Place the assembled kebabs on the preheated grill and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, with a slight char on the edges.
Serve: Remove the kebabs from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes. Serve the chicken kebabs hot, accompanied by sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and warm pita bread.
Enjoy these flavorful and tender Chicken Kebabs, perfect for a quick and delicious meal!
Variations and Substitutions
To ensure your kebabs are bursting with flavor, it’s essential to season them generously. From common spices like pepper, cumin, garlic powder, and paprika to more exotic additions favored in Arab cuisine such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice, the options are endless. Don’t forget about zesty touches like sumac, a sour spice that adds a hint of lemon-like tanginess, along with savory herbs like thyme and pre-mixed Arab spice blends.
When it comes to vegetables, while onions and bell peppers are classics, feel free to experiment with zucchini, eggplant, and even mushrooms.
And for meat lovers, while beef is the most traditional choice, chicken kebabs offer a leaner alternative that’s equally satisfying.
Tips and Tricks Section for making Chicken Kebabs
Achieving perfectly marinated kebabs is key to a mouthwatering experience. Allow your meat to marinate for at least 6 hours using an acidic medium like Greek yogurt, vinegar, or lime juice. This not only tenderizes the meat but also infuses it with flavor that will tantalize your taste buds with every bite. Whether you’re grilling your kebabs or using an oven or stovetop grill, ensure your cooking surface is piping hot before adding the skewers to achieve that irresistible charred exterior.
If you using wooden skewers, soaking them for half an hour beforehand prevents them from absorbing moisture from the meat.
And lastly, savor your kebabs immediately upon serving to enjoy them at their peak.
WW Points
Uncooked boneless skin-less chicken breast 0 points
Table salt 0 points
Paprika 0 points
Red onion 0 points
Red bell pepper 0 points
Green bell pepper 0 points
Garlic powder 0 points
Plain fat free yogurt 0 points
Ground cumin 0 points
Uncooked zucchini 0 points
Black pepper 0 points
Chicken Kebabs
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 400 g)
- 1 red onion, cut into chunks
- 2 bell pepper (red, green, or yellow), cut into chunks
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- For the marinade:
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt (120 g)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- For serving:
- Tomatoes, sliced
- Cucumbers, sliced
- Pita bread
Instructions
- Dice the chicken breast into 3 cm cubes. Pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
- Next, chop the peppers, zucchini, and onion into pieces similar in size to the chicken cubes.
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, mix together the black pepper, salt, paprika, garlic powder, yogurt, and ground cumin until well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken cubes in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover the dish or seal the bag, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Skewers: If you're using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes to prevent them from burning during grilling. Once soaked, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, alternating with chunks of red onion, bell pepper, and slices of zucchini.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 375-400°F (190-200°C). Place the assembled kebabs on the preheated grill and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, with a slight char on the edges.
- Serve: Remove the kebabs from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes. Serve the chicken kebabs hot, accompanied by sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and warm pita bread.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.