Description
Zesty Citrus Chicken Kebabs with Cardamom Rice bring Mediterranean sunshine right to your dinner table, sparking memories of relaxed outdoor grilling with friends. Marinated chicken skewers paired with fragrant cardamom-infused rice create a simple yet remarkable meal that will transport your taste buds to coastal Greece.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Citrus and Aromatics:
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Cooking and Base Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 3 cardamom pods
Instructions
- Mix 120ml orange juice, 60ml lemon juice, minced garlic, and 30ml olive oil in a mixing bowl to craft a vibrant, zesty marinade for your chicken.
- Chop 680g chicken breasts into uniform 1-inch cubes, then submerge completely in the citrus marinade. Refrigerate for 60-90 minutes to allow deep flavor penetration.
- Thoroughly rinse 190g long-grain rice under cool running water until liquid runs clear. Place 3 whole cardamom pods in a saucepan with rice and water.
- Cook rice at medium heat for 15 minutes, maintaining a gentle simmer. Ensure rice absorbs liquid and becomes tender without becoming mushy.
- Heat outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to 400°F (204°C). Thread marinated chicken pieces onto metal or pre-soaked wooden skewers, leaving small spaces between chunks.
- Grill kebabs for 10-12 minutes, rotating every 3-4 minutes to ensure even 165°F (74°C) internal temperature and beautiful golden-brown exterior.
- Transfer perfectly grilled kebabs atop fragrant cardamom rice. Enhance flavor by drizzling 30ml low-sodium soy sauce across the dish just before serving.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least an hour to let the citrus flavors deeply penetrate the meat, which helps tenderize and add zest.
- When threading chicken onto skewers, leave a small gap between pieces to ensure even cooking and crispy edges.
- Use fresh cardamom pods if possible, as they release a more vibrant, aromatic flavor compared to pre-ground spices.
- For a gluten-free version, replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to maintain the savory finish without wheat.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg