Indian-Inspired Grilled Chicken Skewers
My family just enjoyed such a delightfully delicious Indian-inspired meal, featuring grilled chicken skewers and roasted curry cauliflower salad, that I just have to share it with you. But, before we get to the yummy stuff, let me tell you a quick story.
Thirty-six years ago, just about this time of the year, I was blessed to meet one of my forever friends on the steps of the Boucke Building on the Penn State Campus. It was the first day of classes my freshman year and Suzy and I ended up in the same English class, became roommates the following year and maids of honor in each other’s weddings several years later. My family was a 12-hour ride from Penn State and so Suzy’s family took me under their wing and treated me like a daughter (even when I caused Suzy to overdraft her bank account!)
One of my favorite memories was when Suzy’s dad, who is probably 6″ shorter than I am, kept referring to me as one of his daughters to the Pennsylvania State trooper who pulled him over while he was taking us back to school. That recollection is one that still makes my heart smile.
Although I was pretty well-traveled as a Navy junior and had tasted many different cuisines; the Indian cuisine I was introduced to through Suzy and her family was new to me. Not surprisingly though, it’s a cuisine that I immediately embraced, especially the kheer that Suzy’s mom would send on a regular basis. And what’s not to love? The judicious use of spices that are unique to Indian food; cardamom, chili, cumin, coriander, turmeric combine with garlic and ginger to create a vast repertoire of savory, fragrant and spicy foods.
Not surprisingly, my family has also adopted my relish of Indian cuisine. So, when I was approached by a local North Carolina company with products that incorporate healthy, eclectic ingredients with an Indian twist, I jumped at the opportunity. Apex Food Company was started by 2 Indian-American women, self-described ‘Foodies’, who felt compelled to stir in some of their family recipes into the melting pot of the world’s cuisine. Their blog and Facebook page are filled with other recipes incorporating their products and information about the healthy ingredients they use.
I received a bottle of Zukti Tamarind Sauce and a jar of Piaz Onion Relish in exchange for my reviews of the product in this post. But please know that if I wouldn’t have purchased it on my own, I won’t promote here. Additionally, some of the following links are affiliate links which means that if you purchase those products I receive a small percentage of the sale, which does help offset our blog expenses. However, the price you are charged does not increase. See my full disclosure policy here.
When their Piaz Onion Relish and Zukti Tamarind Sauce arrived, it didn’t take long for me to decide to use the tamarind sauce as one of the ingredients in a marinade for grilled chicken skewers, which also featured turmeric and garam masala. Bright yellow turmeric is such a powerhouse of healthy benefits spice that I used it in the chicken.
The Piaz Onion Relish was perfect with the grilled chicken, as were the sides of Tawa Paneer and Tandoori Gobi (cauliflower) that I made as accompaniments. I mixed up a batch of delightfully green Coriander and Mint Chutney and purchased naan at our local grocery store to hold the delicious chicken and sauces.
Zukti Marinade for Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Zukti Tamarind Sauce
- 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 4 cloves of garlic crushed
- 1 TB garam masala
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 3 pounds chicken thighs/breast sliced into 1-1.5" wide slices, cut lengthwise.
- Wooden skewers soaked in water
Instructions
- Combine all marinade ingredients and pour over chicken and let sit in the refrigerator for 6 hours or up to 24 hours.
- Preheat grill.
- Thread meat on skewers
- Grill skewers for 7-10 minutes each side, for a total of 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition
It goes without saying that this meal of grilled chicken, paneer and cauliflower was heartily enjoyed by all…and I’m thrilled because there are even a few leftovers in the refrigerator for my lunch one day this week. But more than that the enjoyment of the nourishment is the enjoyment of the memories of and thankfulness for a friendship that started on the first day of my college career. I can’t eat Indian food without thinking of my friend and her family who made me a part of their family and who introduced me to this delightful cuisine.
If you are looking for more chicken recipes, check out these 9 leftover chicken recipes, chicken satay and grilled zaatar chicken recipes that I have put together for you.
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Until next time,
Lynn, I love the story behind your love of Indian food! What an amazing friendship! And, the recipe sounds delicious!
Hi Robin, I am very lucky with the friendships I formed in school…and for the introduction to this yummy food. I know you are quite the cook as well…what ethnic foods do you like to cook? Maybe we need a recipe swap.
Thanks for coming by today.
Hugs, LYnn
Oddly enough (for someone that loves food), Indian cuisine is not one that familiar. I’m not sure if it’s opportunity, or what exactly, that’s kept me from trying. These sound absolutely delicious!
Hi Mindy…I hope I’ve coaxed you to give it a try…maybe find a local Indian food restaurant. I’m pretty sure you’ll thank me!
Hugs, Lynn
Lynn!!
Loved this post! I remember that picture well–ugh, alas I was referring two warring parents in opposing corners of that graduation tailgate party :-(. Womp.
I”m waiting for the blog post about your friend who was always incapable of coordinating and accessorizing clothes/jewelry 😉
Aw, thanks Jen! RATS! I missed the opportunity to discuss your ‘fashion-style’ when I did the Charlottesville post…guess I’ll have to go back and edit it. But now that I’m thinking about it…remember that blueberry/banana bread recipe? May just have to post about that and then I’ll have to tell about when Alex ran through your screen door and when Terry taught Kyle to say, “Lock and Load Mud Marines!”
Lynn, I may not know what these ingredients are but I know a good story when I read it. How sweet it is that you were adopted by this family and made to feel like you had a home away from home. Obviously, our favorite foods remind us of home and this story exemplifies this. I do love chicken one day if I happen to chance upon a store with Indian food I will certainly try it.
Aw, thanks Mary. Suzy and her family will always have a place in my heart and I was blessed to have met her that first day of school. You do need to try Indian Cuisine…just really delightful.
Hugs, Lynn
What a great story! My family and I LOVE Indian food. Many years ago my neighbor, who was from India, introduced my family to Indian food and we were hooked. I have to check the Zukti Tamarind Sauce out. It sounds delicious! I live just down the road from Apex!
Hi Kate! You should check them out…love to support our local NC economy. Do you cook Indian food? If so, what are some of your favorite recipes? I really want to up my ‘Indian recipes’ game in the kitchen. Thanks for swinging by and wishing you a lovely day.
Hugs, Lynn
I do cook Indian food! We especially love curries. But I have only ever used the packets I’ve picked up at the Indian market (need to find a new place now that we moved). I’d love to find a good recipe for homemade curry. I just recently found a recipe for Naan bread so I plan to give that a try soon.
Oh yum, looks good! And I love your background story! I’m still working on ways to introduce Indian food to my fiance, so I’ll have to check out the options from Apex Food Company 🙂
Hi Liz, do check out their Zukti and Piaz. Really tasty. We’ve just about used up our two jars and so will be ordering some more soon. BTW…you can get it on Amazon…of course.
Have a great day Liz!
Hugs, Lynn
Hey Liz…one more thing.Since you’re in the Durham area…do you have a good Indian Restaurant you recommend?
I’m actually working on trying to find my favorites to recommend right now 🙂 My favorite so far is actually a food truck – Tan Durm food truck. But they’ve got a limited menu so you get what’s available that day. There are a lot of mixed reviews on some Indian restaurants and I”m actually in the middle of checking out different places and figuring out which one is my favorite – I’ll let you know when I finally get through them all and have my favorite picked!
What a lovely story Lynn, and a sweet family to adopt you in their home away from home. I haven’t ever tried Indian food but sound delicious! I will have to try it sometime.
I was very blessed Linda, no doubt. And I hope that you do give Indian food a try…really quite delicious with all the spices.
Wishing you a lovely day.
Hugs, LYnn