
Grilled Chicken Skewers with Artichokes, Red Onion, and Preserved Lemon Saffron Almond Marinade
Original grilled chicken skewers marinated with preserved lemon, saffron, garlic, and ground almonds, threaded with artichoke hearts and red onion for a balance of citrusy, toasted, and smoky flavors.
Ingredients
- 700 g skinless chicken breast, cubed (1.5-inch cubes)
- 300 g artichoke hearts, halved (escurridos si son of frasco or lata)
- 200 g red onion (cut in wedges)
- 35 g ground almonds (approx. 1/3 cup)
- 40 g preserved lemon (pulpa and peel finely chopped, approx. 3 tbsp)
- 12 g garlic (finely chopped)
- 60 ml olive oil (divided)
- 30 ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 0.25 g saffron threads (machacadas lightly)
- 3 g ground cumin
- 3 g sweet paprika
- 6 g salt (or to taste)
- 2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
- 15 g fresh parsley (finely chopped, compacto en cup medidora)
- 15 ml honey
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes so they do not burn on the grill.
- 2
2. In a large bowl, mix the preserved lemon, garlic, 45 ml (3 tbsp) olive oil, lemon juice, saffron threads, ground almonds, ground cumin, sweet paprika, honey, salt, and black pepper until you have a thick, aromatic marinade.
- 3
3. Add the cubed chicken breast to the bowl and toss well to coat completely with the marinade. Let it marinate for 15 minutes under refrigeration.
- 4
4. In another bowl, toss the artichoke hearts and red onion with the remaining 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil and half of the chopped parsley.
- 5
5. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 425 °F / 220 °C. Clean and lightly oil the grates.
- 6
6. Thread the skewers, alternating marinated chicken, red onion, and artichoke hearts until all ingredients are used.
- 7
7. Place the skewers on the hot grill and cook for 14 to 18 minutes at 425 °F / 220 °C, turning every 3 to 4 minutes so they brown evenly. Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F / 74 °C.
- 8
8. Transfer the skewers to a platter and sprinkle the remaining fresh parsley over the top. Let rest for 3 minutes before serving so the juices can redistribute.
- 9
9. Serve hot, enjoying the contrast of browned chicken, lightly caramelized onion, and toasted artichokes with the fragrance of saffron and preserved lemon.
Chef tips
For deeper flavor, crush the saffron with a teaspoon of warm water before mixing it into the marinade. Do not overcrowd the skewers so heat can circulate and the chicken browns properly.
Substitutions
You can substitute the chicken breast with boneless chicken thighs. If you do not have preserved lemon, use finely grated zest of 1 extra lemon and an extra pinch of salt. Ground almonds can be replaced with almond flour.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
Illustrative imageVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
Illustrative imageTeakhaus Teak Cutting Board
Stable base for chopping
- Stable surface for chopping
- Gentle on your knife edge
- Hand-wash and let it dry
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