Grilled Chicken Skewers With Tarragon And Yogurt Food

GRILLED CHICKEN SKEWERS WITH TARRAGON AND YOGURT

Steps:

• Prepare the chicken: Cut each thigh in half against the grain. Rub with salt and set aside.
• Prepare the marinade: In a small bowl, mix the yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, salt and garlic. Reserve and refrigerate 1 cup marinade for serving. Put remaining marinade into a large resealable plastic bag and add the ginger, cumin and chicken; squelch around to coat thoroughly then refrigerate for 1 hour, or up to 48 hours.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 1 hour before you plan to grill. If using wooden skewers, immerse them in water to soak for 15 minutes. Alternatively, use metal skewers or none at all.
• Prepare the grill: Clean the grate thoroughly and build a hot fire. The skewers will cook over intense, direct heat. The coals are ready when they glow red and the grate hisses when you drop water on it.
• Thread the chicken lengthwise onto skewers (if using), then smear with the marinade from the bag.
• Prepare the baste: Place the butter and salt in a small saucepan to melt on the cooler side of the grill (or use the stovetop). Once butter is melted, add the lime juice and chopped herbs; keep warm but do not boil.
• Grilling in batches if necessary, place the chicken on the grill a few inches apart. When you see a good char forming underneath, about 3 to 5 minutes, gently tug a skewer or the chicken: If it feels very stuck, leave it a few more minutes before turning. When the chicken releases easily and looks nicely charred in places, flip it using a fish spatula to gently pry any stuck bits off the grate.
• Baste the chicken with the herb butter and arrange the scallions in a single layer on the cooler edges of the grill. Let the chicken cook on the second side until firm and cooked through and turn the scallions occasionally until grill-marked and tender, about 8 minutes.
• Grill the pitas until marked, about 1 minute, turning halfway through. Lay them on the serving platter and place the scallions and chicken on top. Drizzle the bread, scallions and chicken with any remaining warm herb butter. Dollop chicken with reserved marinade, squeeze with lime and top with extra tarragon or mint.

YOGURT-MARINATED CHICKEN SKEWERS

Steps:

• For the ras al hanout: Add the cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, paprika, nutmeg, cayenne, cloves, allspice, coriander, pepper and turmeric to a jar with a lid. Cover and shake to combine. Measure out 1 tablespoon for the chicken and put in a large bowl. Store the remaining spice for up to 3 months in the jar and use as desired.
• For the chicken: In the bowl with the ras al hanout, add the yogurt, mint, oil, salt, sugar, harissa, garlic, finely chopped onion, juice from half of the lemon and about 12 turns of pepper (about 1/2 teaspoon) and mix to combine. Fold in the chicken to evenly coat, then cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours and up to overnight.
• Soak 8 wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.
• Thread the chicken pieces on the skewers, adding the bell pepper and onion pieces in between the meat.
• Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the skewers, turning them occasionally, until they're deeply browned on all sides and cooked through, about 7 minutes per side. Squeeze with the juice from the remaining lemon half before serving.

SPICY TARRAGON YOGURT CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine tarragon, Greek yogurt, harissa sauce, garlic, vinegar, cumin, and salt in a blender. Puree until smooth, scraping down sides as needed. Pour marinade over chicken breasts in a shallow dish, thoroughly coating both sides. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove chicken breasts from the marinade and place on the pre-heated grill. Cook over medium-high heat until dark grill marks appear, about 7 minutes per side.
• Garnish with harissa sauce and a sprig of tarragon.