These succulent Grilled Turmeric Chicken Kabobs are spicy, salty and garlicky all in one juicy bite. Marinate and grill! A delicious way to eat turmeric more often!

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 that is sure 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.
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- Make ahead! Mix up the marinade, combine 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 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.
And if you like bone-in thighs with crispy skin, this recipe for Honey-Mustard Chicken Thighs with Turmeric is for you!
🛒 Ingredients
- boneless skinless chicken thighs: thighs are best for kabobs as they don't dry out like breasts tend to do.
- cilantro leaves
- ground coriander
- garlic: fresh cloves
- fish sauce: If you don't have fish sauce, you can substitute tamari soy sauce with a splash of lime juice
- oyster sauce
- ground turmeric
- coconut sugar: or brown sugar
🔪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!
- Blend marinade ingredients until a paste forms.
- Mix with the chicken cubes.
- Thread on to skewers and grill.
❓ FAQ's
Turmeric recipes are finding their way onto Pinterest boards, but are its 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 anti-oxidant 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 exotic flavour to our food, and that certainly holds true for this recipe for Grilled Turmeric Chicken Kabobs.
🥶 Storing leftovers
Be food safe! Refrigerate leftover chicken kabobs promptly, or freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months or so.
🍽 What to serve with 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.
Charred Asparagus with Warm Citrus Sauce
Refreshing Blackberry Honeydew Salad with Basil
🗒 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:
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 Card
Grilled Turmeric Chicken Kabobs
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 brown sugar or coconut palm 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.
- 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.
Dan
Fantastic. Every last bite. A keeper recipe.
Elaine
Happy to hear that!
Sharon
So much flavor! Love these kabobs and have made them three times now. Great recipe.
Flavour & Savour
That's great to hear! So glad they've become a favourite of yours!
Ros Weier
Use sugar free maple syrup instead of B. Sugar
Flavour & Savour
Great suggestion! Glad it worked for you. Thanks for commenting!
jen
What in the world is sugar free maple syrup?
Flavour & Savour
You can buy a maple-flavoured syrup made with Monkfruit Natural Sweetener which is sugar-free.
Robyn
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!