Sweet & Savory Chicken Kebabs with Plums and Red Onions
Elevate your grilling game with these delectable Sweet & Savory Chicken Kebabs. Marinated chicken thighs are skewered with juicy plums and vibrant red onions, creating a perfect balance of flavors. Tossed in a luscious apricot-soy marinade, these kebabs are grilled to perfection, ensuring every bite is tender and packed with flavor. Serve alongside fluffy couscous enriched with toasted almonds for a satisfying meal that’s ideal for summer barbecues or cozy family dinners. This recipe is not only easy to prepare but also impressive enough to serve at gatherings, making it a great way to share your love of cooking.
N/A
Servings
525
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
vegetable oil
1/2 cup (none)
apricot jam
1/3 cup (none)
rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons (none)
soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons (none)
boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 1/2 lbs (quartered)
plums
8 (quartered lengthwise (about 2 pounds))
red onion
1 (quartered lengthwise and halved crosswise)
extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon (none)
plain instant couscous
1 (10 ounce) box (none)
sliced almonds
1/3 cup (toasted)
Instructions
1
In a medium bowl, combine the vegetable oil, apricot jam, rice wine vinegar, and soy sauce. Whisk until smooth.
2
Add the quartered chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours for enhanced flavor.
3
After marinating, transfer the chicken to a separate bowl. Pour the leftover marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
4
Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium heat, allowing it to get nice and hot.
5
Thread the marinated chicken, quartered plums, and red onion onto 8 skewers in an alternating pattern, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
6
Place the skewers on the grill and cook, turning occasionally. Baste the kebabs with the reserved marinade during the first 6 minutes of grilling.
7
Grill until the chicken is fully cooked (an internal temperature of 165°F), about 12 to 15 minutes.
8
While the kebabs are grilling, prepare the couscous. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Stir in the extra virgin olive oil followed by the couscous. Cover and remove from heat. Let it sit for about 5 minutes.
9
After resting, fluff the couscous with a fork and mix in the toasted sliced almonds for added crunch.
10
Serve the grilled kebabs alongside the fluffy couscous for a delightful meal.
Nutrition Information
30g
Fat
35g
Carbs
37.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein used in these kebabs?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 lbs of boneless skinless chicken thighs, quartered for the skewers.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
The chicken should be marinated for at least 30 minutes, and up to 4 hours for the best flavor enhancement.
What ingredients make up the apricot-soy marinade?
The marinade consists of vegetable oil, apricot jam, rice wine vinegar, and soy sauce.
Is it safe to use the leftover marinade for basting?
Yes, but you must pour the leftover marinade into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil for 2 minutes first to ensure it is safe to consume.
What fruit is included on the skewers?
The recipe uses 8 plums, which are quartered lengthwise before being threaded onto the skewers.
How should the red onion be prepared for the kebabs?
The red onion should be quartered lengthwise and then halved crosswise.
How many skewers does this recipe produce?
This recipe is designed to make 8 skewers with an alternating pattern of chicken, plums, and onion.
What is the total cooking time for the chicken kebabs?
The kebabs take approximately 12 to 15 minutes on the grill.
What is the target internal temperature for the grilled chicken?
The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
When should I baste the kebabs while grilling?
Baste the kebabs with the reserved and boiled marinade during the first 6 minutes of grilling.
What side dish is recommended for this recipe?
The kebabs are served alongside fluffy couscous mixed with toasted sliced almonds.
How do you prepare the couscous?
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, stir in olive oil and the couscous, then cover and remove from heat for 5 minutes before fluffing.
What type of couscous is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one 10-ounce box of plain instant couscous.
What adds crunch to the couscous side dish?
1/3 cup of toasted sliced almonds are mixed into the fluffed couscous for added texture.
How many calories are in a serving of this dish?
One serving contains approximately 525 calories.
What is the protein content of the Sweet & Savory Chicken Kebabs?
This dish provides approximately 37.5g of protein per serving.
What is the fat content of this meal?
The meal contains 30g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
There are 35g of carbohydrates per serving.
What kind of oil is used in the marinade?
The marinade uses 1/2 cup of vegetable oil.
What type of vinegar is needed for the marinade?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar.
How much apricot jam is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of apricot jam.
Should the grill be preheated?
Yes, you should preheat your grill or grill pan to medium heat before cooking the skewers.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
It is a balance of sweet (from the jam and plums) and savory (from the soy sauce and chicken).
Can I use a different type of onion?
While the recipe specifies red onion for its vibrant color and flavor, you can substitute other onions, though the taste may vary.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 10 main ingredients used in this recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for a summer barbecue?
Yes, it is specifically described as ideal for summer barbecues and family dinners.
How do you prepare the almonds?
The sliced almonds should be toasted before being added to the couscous.
What is used to whisk the marinade?
The vegetable oil, jam, vinegar, and soy sauce should be whisked together in a medium bowl until smooth.
What should I use to fluff the couscous?
A fork should be used to fluff the couscous after it has rested for 5 minutes.
How much soy sauce is in the marinade?
The marinade includes 1 1/2 tablespoons of soy sauce.