This is my copycat of those tasty Chicken Skewers sold in charcoal chicken shops all across Australia. So heavily flavoured they’re practically crusted with seasoning, in the best possible way! Great on the BBQ, but honestly just as good on the stove.
Charcoal Chicken Shop Chicken Skewers
Am I out here alone, carrying on about this very specific type of chicken skewers you get from charcoal chicken places? I know they’re not even the main event – but I love them. They’re so heavily seasoned it almost forms a crust on the chicken.
They sit stacked in warming windows, quietly calling your name while you pretend you only came in for chicken and salad… then leave clutching skewers and hot chips that may or may not be smothered in gravy. Don’t food shame me! 😆
In case you have no idea what I’m talking about, here’s what they look like (fellow Gladesville locals – this is in Boronia Park!):
They are crusted with a flavour that tastes like chicken seasoning – salt, garlic and onion powder layered with paprika and other spices. It makes a seriously good marinade for chicken skewers. The smell when it’s cooking is mouthwatering!!
Ingredients for Chicken Shop Chicken Skewers
The amount of spices might make you pause – it’s more than a typical marinade! But early versions using less lacked that flavour that makes shop-bought skewers so good, so I kept dialling it up until it hit that same bold, addictive taste.
1. for the Chicken skewer marinade
Here’s what you need for the marinade. Curry powder is the secret ingredient, a tip I got from a Gyros shop owner!
The spices – Mostly pantry staples I use all the time. It’s amazing how changing the ratios of the same spices can take you from Cajun to Mexican to… Aussie kebab shop flavour! 🙂
The one unusual spice is curry powder (just regular Western-style). It sounds out of place, but it’s a trick I picked up from a Melbourne gyros shop (Kalimera Souvlaki Art) when the owner shared his secret gyros marinade. You won’t taste curry – it just adds depth, warmth and colour.
Olive oil and lemon juice – These turn the marinade into a paste, about 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) total. I use lemon as using just oil makes it very oily, plus it adds a touch of brightness.
If you don’t have lemons, use white or red wine vinegar, or sherry vinegar. Apple cider vinegar as a last resort.
2. the chicken
I use boneless chicken thighs because they’re juicier than breast. If using breast, marinate for the full 24 hours per the recipe to help keep the lean meat nice and juicy.
How to make Kebab Shop Chicken Skewers
The making part is very straightforward – marinate large bite-size pieces of chicken in the marinade, skewer, then cook in a pan or on the BBQ. If you want to BBQ these, either use metal skewers or soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes so they don’t catch on fire.
Cut the chicken into large bite-size pieces. I get 6 to 8 pieces out of each thigh – cut it in half lengthways then each into 3 to 4 pieces.
Speedy skewering option – Just cut the thighs in half lengthways to create two long strips, then weave the skewer through them. Faster than threading bite size pieces on!
No skewering option (for when life is just too hard…) – Just use whole thigh fillets instead, and cook them without skewering! Use 1kg / 2 lb, and add an extra 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the marinade. The spices will go further as there is less surface area to cover.
Mix the marinade ingredients in a bowl. It should be a fairly thick paste, but loose enough to coat the chicken. If it’s too dry, just add a splash of extra oil or lemon juice.
Marinate (or cook straight away) – Leave the chicken to marinade 24 hours, or at least 3 hours to get a bit of flavour infused into the flesh. You can actually cook them straightaway without marinading at all because the surface is coated thickly with the spices, but it is nicer when the salt and seasoning has had time to work its way through the flesh.
Skewer – Decide how many skewers you want – either 8 generous ones or 12 regular ones (pictured). Then thread the chicken onto the skewers (mine average 4 pieces).
Reverse method – You could also skewer straight away then leave skewered for marinating time. Do it whichever way suits you!
Cook the skewers in batches on medium to medium-high heat for 3 minutes on each side. Adjust the heat as needed to avoid the spices burning before the chicken is cooked through. Lightly press the chicken onto the pan or BBQ to encourage each piece to cook evenly (helpful if the pieces on the skewer are not the same thickness).
Keep the cooked batches loosely covered with foil to keep them warm while you keep cooking. 12 skewers takes me 3 batches in a pan, so by the time the last batch is done the first two batches have rested and are ready to serve so I put them at the top of the pile.
Rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving. Pile the skewers on a platter with sides for serving. (See below for chatter on serving options!).
How to serve Kebab Shop Chicken Skewers
Eat standing, ripping the chicken off the skewer with your teeth – either on the go (it’s excellent mobile food) or for a more civilised scenario, whilst standing having a backyard BBQ with friends;
Kebab plate – with a pile of tasty seasoned rice on the side (like Mejadra, that heavenly spiced Middle Eastern lentil rice, or a big pile of buttery Garlic Rice or Hot Buttered Corn Rice), a fresh crisp-juicy Greek Salad or Green Bean Salad, and a big dollop of Lemon Yogurt Sauce, Tzatziki or Hummus with flatbreads for dunking/stuffing; or
DIY wraps platter (pictured above) – pile a big platter with the chicken skewers, a flatbread (pita, Lebanese bread or make your own Easy No-Yeast Flatbread), a mound of shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes and red onion, and a bowl of Lemon Yogurt Sauce, Tzatziki or Hummus for smearing. Totally not on-theme, but I wouldn’t hesitate to use Guacamole or Avocado Sauce either. 🙂
However these make their way into your tummy is a good one. You just can’t go wrong! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Charcoal Chicken Shop Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
- 800g / 1.6 lb boneless chicken thighs , cut into large 2.5cm / 1" squares, I cut each thigh into ~6 to 8 pieces. (Note 1)
- 3 – 4 tbsp olive oil , for cooking
Chicken marinade:
- 1 1/2 tbsp garlic powder (or 2 garlic cloves finely grated using microplane)
- 1 tbsp onion powder (or more garlic powder)
- 1 tbsp paprika , regular/sweet (not spicy), smoked great too
- 1 tsp mustard power (sub 1 tsp dijon or yellow mustard, not spicy)
- 1 tsp dried oregano (or thyme)
- 1/2 tsp curry powder *secret ingredient* (regular grocery stores ones, I use Clives)
- 1 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (halve for table salt, +50% for flakes)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice or white wine/red wine vinegar, or similar
For serving – options
- Sauce options – Lemon Yoghurt Sauce, Hummus, Tzatziki, Avocado Sauce, Sriracha (for chilli)
- Flatbreads – pita / Lebanese breads or a simple homemade no-yeast flatbread
- Seasoned rice – Mejadra (Lebanese lentil rice pilaf), Garlic Butter Rice, Hot Buttered Corn Rice or Chicken Seasoned Rice (homemade version of boxed flavoured rice)
- Shredded lettuce, tomato slices (2 – 3 whole), finely sliced red onion or a Greek Salad
Instructions
ABBREVIATED
- Mix marinade, marinate chicken 12 – 24 hrs (if you can), skewer, cook 3 minutes on each side on medium high.
FULL RECIPE
- Marinade – Mix the Marinade ingredients in a bowl, it should be like a paste. Add chicken pieces and toss well to coat every piece well.
- Marinate for 12 to 24 hours (even 3 hours helps) though they are still tasty cooked straight away!
- Skewer – Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers. I usually do 10 to 12, with 3 to 4 pieces on each. (You could also skewer then leave skewered for marinating time, do it whichever way suits!)
- Stove cook – Heat a large non stick pan on medium high with enough oil to lightly coat the base. Cook the skewers in batches for 3 minutes on each side, controlling the heat as needed so the spices don't burn. Transfer onto a plate, loosely cover with foil to keep warm. Wipe black bits out of the pan using a paper towel, add more oil and continue cooking.
- BBQ option – Brush the grills or flat plate lightly with oil. Heat on medium (or medium high, if your BBQ is not that strong). Cook skewers for 3 – 4 minutes on each side, adjusting the heat as needed so the spices don't burn.
- Serve the skewers with flatbreads or pita pockets, shredded lettuce, tomato and onion slices with sauce of choice (see ingredients section for options). Or make plates with a side of seasoned rice (see options above), a fresh Greek Salad and sauce of choice.
Recipe Notes:
1. Chicken – I use boneless chicken thighs because they’re juicier than breast. If using breast, marinate for at least 12 hours to help keep the lean meat nice and juicy. Faster skewering – Just cut each thigh fillet in half lengthways to make two long strips, and skewer that in one piece (after marinating). Feeling too lazy to skewer? I hear you! Skewering bite size pieces does have maximum flavour-to-surface area but you can totally make this with whole chicken thigh fillets instead, no skewering involved. Use 1kg / 2 lb, add an extra 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the marinade to loosen it a bit, and cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side. The spice mixture will go further as there is less surface area. Leftovers – cooked skewers will keep for 3 – 4 days in the fridge. Make ahead – Toss chicken in marinade, thread onto skewers, freeze straight away. Then let it thaw overnight in the fridge – the chicken will marinate as it’s thawing. Nutrition per skewer (12 skewers), assuming 3 tablespoons of oil is consumed, excludes sauces and sides.
Nutrition Information:
More meat on sticks
Remembering Dozer
Gosh he was a cute puppy. ❤️
This was the first day I brought him home, at 10 weeks old. He had me wrapped around his paws from day one…..
…and big paws they were! I knew they’d be trouble! 🥰
See? Trouble!
Though every mess was instantly forgiven! 😅 How could anyone stay mad at a face like this:
He completely owned my heart from day one, and he always will. ❤️
I still miss you every day, Dozer. Cooking just isn’t the same without you at my feet. I keep waiting for the day when my heart doesn’t ache when I think of you.
I hope you’re enjoying the Big Sky Kitchen, with endless space to run, birds to chase, good things to sniff, and a full belly – just living your best life like you always did.
Love, your mum
Thank you for sharing memories of Dozer with us. I just wish I wouldn’t cry every time I read them.
Hi Nagi. I often make your poached chicken recipe as it is always handy for quick meals but now I am adding this charcoal chicken recipe as it is so delicious. I made this for lunch today and have enough left for over for another batch tomorrow. The hint of curry powder is perfect and it is so colourful you want to taste it.
Since cooking your food I never buy ready made meals now and feel so much better.
As always thank you for all the hard work you put in to everything you do.
I also love the memories of Dozer and I give my dogs extra cuddles cos I know the pain you are going through.
Cheers Nagi xxxx
Nagi…..honestly, I don’t think there has been an email from you that when I come to the recipe I don’t automatically click the Dozer link first before I even look at the recipe. I know you understand that. I love your recipes and love reading about them but Dozer…….I miss that sweet boy too. Thank your for still sharing him with us and sharing the pictures and memories. His love for you will never leave your heart and someday, the memories will be very comforting. Sending love and hugs to you, JB and everyone else that works so hard for us to have these wonderful recipes and are also missing their kitchen boss Dozer. Hugs!!
These were so good! I didn’t bother with sticks, just pan fried the bite size pieces and wrapped with salad in those homemade flat bread wraps. (Thanks for the recipe Nagi – so superior to those chemical tasting wraps from the supermarket) My kitchen smelled like the Charcoal Chicken shop LOL!
This was so yum! I was too tired to skewer but just diced it up and then pan fried. Lots of yummy ‘charcoaly’ bits 😋
Instead of oil on the BBQ try rubbing with a sliced potato on a fork, I keep thinly slicing the potato when the face dries out from rubbing, do this three times with at temperature before putting the meat on. Guaranteed to be non-stick from the starch.
These look yummy. I reckon I will be giving them a go with your flatbread (which I made to go with your Chicken Shawarma – Amazing BTW).
Puppy photos are the best. My phone is always full of pics of my girls (Vizslas). The photo of the chewed-up cushion is hilarious – How thoughtful of Dozer to not spill the rest of the wine in the glass 🐾🤣
Keep on smiling lovely xx
Hi with the chicken recipe is there a way to do the ingredients so as two serve 2
There is a scale to do this but its hard to add 0.02 of a teaspoon Thankyou
Nagi, I know you probably said at some point, but how old was Dozer? I can see how he stole your heart. Such a sweet pup, even if he was a bit naughty sometimes. Love you Dozer!
Dozer was just shy of 14 years he would have turned 14 in April 🧡💛
🥰 all the way around.
Dear Nagi~ Thank you for beautiful Dozer puppy memories and photos. More please.
The chicken skewers recipe is delicious. Recipes with ingredients on hand are always appreciated. From Rhode Island USA
The recipe looks delicious, although I think you meant mustard “powder” instead of “power.” I use your recipes often and it’s one of my favorite food sites here in Falls Church, VA.
I just love the fact that you give so many options for making your recipes, I just can’t resist having a go at making this chicken kebab recipe. I’m sure it’s going to be as good as you say. Love your puppy too 💕
Just made these skewers on a small scale (unfortunately didn’t have much time to marinade – only about 4 hours but still very flavoursome)! Served with flatbreads, salad and homemade chips. The chicken was so tender and tasty – will be making again soon.
Hi Nagi, Can i use granulated onion instead of onion powder?
Oh Nagi, this was EXACTLY what I was asking for! Seeing cute little baby Dozer brought me back to my Bear’s puppy days…….including the destruction , which had me laughing myself sick. If they weren’t so adorable we’d never put up with it. I hope you always keep the Dozer pictures and stories coming forever. They are the first thing I look for and I believe they’ll be as healing for you as they are delightful for me. ♥️ from Washington State, USA
Agree 100%. Healing for us all.
🥰💔🥰
Ah, the puppy days! Dozer was adorable!!! The chicken skewers look delicious, I’m sure he would rate them highly!!
What a beautiful boy…and what a lucky boy. He had the best Mum EVER. He’s watching over you now, and he always will be.
Pics of ‘unstuffed’ pillows looks oh-so-familiar. Been there, done that.
This recipe looks AMAZING Nagi. It is in my growing Tin Trials roster. The simplicity is the best part. Big Hugs from Florida.
Can these be cooked in the oven?
Wish we had Charcoal Chicken shops here in California! The skewers look wonderful and I’ll make them soon. Love the pictures too. Thanks, Nagi