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    Home » Chicken Recipes » Thai Grilled Turmeric Chicken Kabobs

    Thai Grilled Turmeric Chicken Kabobs

    Published: Jan 8, 2015 · Updated: Mar 5, 2023 by Elaine - 9 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These succulent Grilled Turmeric Chicken Kabobs are spicy, salty and garlicky all in one juicy bite. Elevate your taste buds with this simple marinade and grilling method. Add more healthy turmeric to your diet in a delicious way!

    Chicken kabobs on skewers in a Thai-inspired marinade with turmeric.
    Easy grilled chicken kabobs with Thai flavours!

    So much flavor! Love these kabobs and have made them three times now. Great recipe.

    Sharon

    You've read that turmeric is good for you, but have you wondered how to use it in a way your family will like?

    Here's a quick and easy recipe for grilled skewered chicken thighs with the added benefit of turmeric. Guaranteed to be devoured!

    These Thai-inspired, tender grilled turmeric chicken kabobs are particularly tasty served over Thai Coconut Rice, made with jasmine rice. They're spicy, salty and garlicky all in one juicy bite. Garnish with some fresh cilantro leaves and serve sizzling from the grill!

    Mmmm! Just look at that colour on these juicy little skewers of turmeric chicken! Pure gold.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
    • 🛒 Ingredients
    • 🔪Instructions
    • ❓ FAQ's about turmeric
    • 🥶 Storing leftover turmeric chicken kabobs
    • 🍽 What to serve with Thai chicken kabobs
    • 🗒 More delicious healthy ways to use turmeric
    • 🗒 More popular chicken recipes to try
    • 📖 Recipe

    ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

    • Make ahead! Mix up the marinade, combine it with the chicken the night before if you'd like, or simply let it marinate while you prepare the rest of your meal.
    • Full-flavoured! These chicken kabobs are spicy, salty and garlicky, all in one juicy bite!
    • Easy! Kabobs make a casual meal. Serve them over rice with a simple salad or side.

    If you're looking for more turmeric chicken recipes, you'll love how easy it is to make these Honey-Dijon Turmeric Chicken Thighs. They're made with boneless skinless chicken thighs and pantry ingredients you probably have on hand.

    🛒 Ingredients

    • boneless skinless chicken thighs: Thighs are best for kabobs as they don't dry out like breasts sometimes do.
    • cilantro leaves: Cilantro adds a spicy, peppery flavour.
    • ground coriander
    • garlic: Fresh cloves of garlic for the very best flavour.
    • fish sauce: If you don't have fish sauce, you can substitute tamari soy sauce with a splash of lime juice
    • oyster sauce: Oyster sauce has a distinct bold flavour that is like a cross between soy sauce and barbecue sauce. If you don't have it, you can substitute hoisin sauce or soy sauce with a small amount of sugar. For more substitutes for oyster sauce, see Oyster Sauce Substitutes.
    • ground turmeric: Turmeric adds both flavour and an appetizing colour to these chicken kabobs.
    • coconut sugar: Feel free to substitute brown sugar if you'd prefer.

    🔪Instructions

    3 easy steps to grill turmeric chicken kabobs!

    You'll find complete instructions in the recipe card below. Here's a quick summary to show just how simple this recipe is!

    1. Blend the marinade ingredients until a paste forms.
    2. Combine the marinade with the chicken cubes.
    3. Thread onto skewers and grill for 10 to 15 minutes.
    Overhead view of Thai Grilled Turmeric Chicken Kabobs

    ❓ FAQ's about turmeric

    Is turmeric just a trendy food? Is turmeric a fad?


    Turmeric recipes are popular on Pinterest boards, but are their nutritional benefits fact or just a fad?

    Western civilization has now discovered what the people of India have known for thousands of years. We should definitely be eating more turmeric.

    Turmeric is a powerful, medicinal herb that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The curcumin it contains is believed to improve brain function (yay!), it may lower our risk of heart disease, and it may prevent, or even treat, cancer.

    Health benefits aside, turmeric adds colour and flavour to our food, and that certainly holds true for this recipe for Grilled Turmeric Chicken Kabobs.

    🥶 Storing leftover turmeric chicken kabobs

    Be food safe! Refrigerate leftover chicken kabobs promptly in a covered container, or freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months or so.

    🍽 What to serve with Thai chicken kabobs

    Add a sprinkle of finely chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges if you'd like. These kabobs are delicious over coconut rice! Try any of these recipes to go with this chicken.

    • Never Fail Thai Coconut Rice
    • Charred Asparagus with Warm Citrus Sauce
    • Blackberry Honeydew Salad with Basil
    • Thai-Style Coleslaw with Kohlrabi
    • Kiwi Cucumber Salad with Walnuts and Fresh Mint
    • Asian Pear Slaw with Ginger and Lime
    grilled turmeric chicken kabobs on wooden skewers with cilantro leaves

    🗒 More delicious healthy ways to use turmeric

    Buy dried turmeric in small quantities as it has a short shelf life and loses its potency after a few months. And once you have it in your pantry, try these recipes:

    • Warm Turmeric Cinnamon Milk
    • Tropical Turmeric Smoothie
    • Turmeric Pick-Me-Up
    • Mango Turmeric Overnight Oats with Kefir
    • Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Turmeric Soup

    🗒 More popular chicken recipes to try

    • Keto Tuscan Chicken
      Keto Tuscan Chicken (Quick & Easy)
    • Teriyaki chicken cubes with quinoa, sugar snap peas, red pepper strips, julienned carrots, bean sprouts and a small bowl of teriyaki sauce.
      Teriyaki Chicken Quinoa Bowls
    • A bowl of Thai peanut chicken wings garnished with sesame seeds and lime wedges.
      Air Fryer Thai Peanut Chicken Wings
    • Chicken Yakitori Skewers with chives.
      Easy Japanese Chicken Yakitori Skewers

    When you make these turmeric chicken kabobs, please leave a comment and a rating below. Thanks in advance! Subscribe to my weekly newsletter and have new recipes delivered straight to your inbox.

    📖 Recipe

    grilled turmeric chicken kabobs on a bed of rice

    Grilled Turmeric Chicken Kabobs

    This quick and easy healthy recipe for succulent grilled turmeric chicken kabobs is a delicious way to include more turmeric in your diet. Serve with Thai Coconut Rice.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Entrée/Main
    Cuisine: Thai
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    marinating time: 2 hours hours
    Total Time: 2 hours hours 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 445kcal
    Author: Elaine
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    Metal Skewers
    instant read meat thermometer

    Ingredients

    • 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
    • 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves
    • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
    • 4 cloves garlic, peeled
    • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
    • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
    • 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
    • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar, or brown sugar
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

    Instructions

    • Pat the chiicken pieces dry. Cut into 1-inch pieces and put into a large bowl.
    • Combine all remaining ingredients in a food processor until a paste forms.
    • Mix the paste with the chicken chunks. Refrigerate for an hour or two to let the flavours combine.
    • Soak bamboo skewers in water or use metal skewers.
    • Thread the chicken on the skewers, packing tightly together.
    • Grill over medium heat, turning occasionally until cooked through, for 10 to 15 minutes or until an instant-read meat thermometer register 165°F.

    Notes

    You could use boneless chicken breasts if you like, but the thighs have more flavour and will be juicier.
    Turmeric will stain. Protect your clothing and avoid using plastic utensils. If you do get it on plastic or on your countertops, rub it with a little oil first, then use your usual cleaning method to remove it.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 445kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 66g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 323mg | Sodium: 1622mg | Potassium: 940mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 3.7mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @enessman or tag #flavourandsavour!

    More recipes to try

    • Chicken Fajita Bowl with Cauliflower Rice
      Chicken Fajita Bowl with Cauliflower Rice
    • Japanese chicken stir fry in a cast iron skillet
      Easy Japanese Chicken Stir Fry with Broccoli
    • A round shallow dish with chicken thighs, colored bell peppers and lemon slices.
      Easy Moroccan-Style Chicken Thighs with Peppers
    • A sheet pan dinner with chicken cubes and seasonal vegetables.
      Maple Garlic Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dan

      May 08, 2021 at 6:01 pm

      5 stars
      Fantastic. Every last bite. A keeper recipe.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        May 10, 2021 at 4:10 pm

        Happy to hear that!

        Reply
    2. Sharon

      August 21, 2020 at 5:40 pm

      5 stars
      So much flavor! Love these kabobs and have made them three times now. Great recipe.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        August 23, 2020 at 8:12 pm

        That's great to hear! So glad they've become a favourite of yours!

        Reply
    3. Ros Weier

      December 16, 2015 at 4:13 pm

      Use sugar free maple syrup instead of B. Sugar

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        December 16, 2015 at 6:51 pm

        Great suggestion! Glad it worked for you. Thanks for commenting!

        Reply
      • jen

        May 14, 2016 at 11:27 am

        What in the world is sugar free maple syrup?

        Reply
        • Flavour & Savour

          January 19, 2019 at 2:19 pm

          You can buy a maple-flavoured syrup made with Monkfruit Natural Sweetener which is sugar-free.

    4. Robyn

      May 07, 2015 at 5:58 pm

      This was delicious!!! My brown sugar was hard so I used maple syrup in its place and it was storming so I ended up searing the chicken on the stove and finishing it in the oven. It was so good I can't wait to make it again!

      Reply
    5 from 2 votes

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