Chicken Shashlik

This delicious Chicken Shashlik is made from chicken, bell peppers, onions and tomatoes marinated in a spicy, tangy sauce, so this is the dry-skewer type, whereas other versions are more gravy-like,so this weeknight meal is easy to make, quick and straightforward. Even a beginner can do it!

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What is Chicken Shashlik?

What to pair with it

Ingredients and Substitutions

Instructions

Top Tips and Advice

Recipe FAQs

Nutrition

What is CHICKEN SHASHLIK?

In Turkey, “Shashlik” is synonymous with “Shish kebab.” The internet claims that it is a Russian and Central Asian dish, and Chicken shashlik is a delicious dish but is not as popular as other Desi Chinese dishes, such as hot and sour soup or chicken Manchurian.

The Shashlik was also made in restaurants owned by Chinese immigrants who settled in India/Pakistan or locals who served the immigrants.

Modern Shashlik is now available in sticks or skewers (as per this recipe) or, as usual, in Chinese stir-fry, both are delicious, by the way.

What to Pair It With Chicken Shashlik

This recipe works well as a standalone dish, so serve with a spicy Sichuan sauce.
It can be served with fried rice or a simple pulav like matar pulao.
It can be served on a bed of fried garlic noodles.
I love to pair it with a simple green salad when I’m in my low-carb phase.
These shashlik sticks go well with prawn crackers.

Ingredients and Substitutes of Chicken Shashlik

This delicious meal is made with ingredients that are easy to find in your pantry.

Chicken – I cut breast pieces into 1-inch cube, then use thigh cuts for a tenderer and a more juicy cut of chicken.
The “crunch” is provided by the vegetables – onions and bell peppers (aka capsicums), so it can be replaced with any other crunchy vegetables you would like to thread into the skewer, and it is not recommended to swap out the tomatoes with any other vegetable. They are added because of their flavor when they are charred.
Spices: You will need white pepper powder, cumin powder, and Kashmiri Red Chili Powder, cause this red chili powder has a mild flavor but a gorgeous red color, so you can get this at your Asian supermarket to cook more Indian/Pakistani dishes. If you don’t already have paprika in your pantry, you can use that instead.
Sauces: The marinade is made with standard Chinese sauces, such as Soy Sauce and Red Vinegar. If you do not own red vinegar, then use regular vinegar. If you’re out of tomato paste, so use tomato ketchup, and i told you this was a easy recipe.
You will need vegetable oil and garlic paste to grill, then use the neutral oil you use to cook at home.

Instructions

It only takes a few simple steps to make this chicken shashlik. Chop, marinate and thread!

Step 1

In this step marinate the chicken in all the available sauces and spices.

Step 2

Now dice the vegetables into 1-inch squares.

Step 3

Add the vegetables chopped to the chicken and let it marinate for 30 minutes.

Step 4

Its time to thread the chicken, vegetables and skewers onto the wooden or metal skewer, so don’t discard the marinade.

Step 5

Place the skewers on a grill pan with medium heat.

STEP 6

After 5 minutes, flip the skewers using a tong, then glaze the skewers with the marinade left in the bowl.

Serve with your favorite combination, so i serve the sizzling pan on the table directly with a mat under it.

Top Tips and Advice

If you use wooden skewers, like I do, soak them for 30 minutes in water before using them. They become more flexible and won’t burn as quickly on the grill pan.
There will be some spluttering because of the tomato sauce. If you’re new to grilling and cooking, so cover the pan on the stove with a lid or wear oven mitts to prevent splatters on your hands.
It’s been a long time since I cooked, so I use my hands to flip the skewers. To flip the skewers, you need to use tongs, so you can remove the pan temporarily from heat if you’re afraid of splatter. All the skewers should be glazed, so could you put it back on heat?

FAQs about RECIPE

Can I prepare the skewers ahead of time?

Yes! You can make it today or tomorrow. Just marinate the Shashlik and then thread it. Cover it with a cling film and place it in the refrigerator overnight, so when you’re ready to grill, leave it on the counter for 30 minutes, then immerse skewers can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Can I freeze chicken?

The tomatoes, in particular, tend to become soggy when frozen, so if you want, you can freeze the chicken marinated. /

How long can Shashlik be stored in the refrigerator?

You can keep your marinated Shashlik in the refrigerator for up to two days, and your grilled Shashlik can last for up to five days.

What vegetables can I use in the skewers?

Onions, tomatoes and bell peppers were the original vegetables for shashliks, whether saucy or dry. These are the three main ingredients, then you can add more to your taste. You can also substitute the onions with another crunchy vegetable.

Is Chicken Shashlik Spicy?

If you like spicy food, this recipe will also be hot for you, so this recipe is not spicy, even for those who are used to eating spicy food, and red chili can be reduced in this recipe to make it less spicy.

Can I use mutton or beef/lamb in this recipe?

Yes! Although. You must boil the meat in salt and garlic paste for 20-30 minutes or till tender. You can then continue with the recipe.

This recipe can be made with fish.

Ofcourse! Swap chicken for fish, then you can use any white fish you like, but avoid salmon.

Have you got any questions? I am happy to assist! Of course, if you make this recipe, please send me a picture or tell me about it. Please get in touch with me in the comments section below, so i will respond as soon as possible! Enjoy cooking!

Equipment

BBQ sticks are available in metal or wooden form.

Grill pans or outdoor barbecues

Ingredients

500 gm Boneless Chicken Cut in Cubes
Cut 2 medium bell peppers into 1-inch squares
Two large tomatoes cut into 1-inch squares
Cut 1 large onion into 1-inch squares
extra oil for frying/baking