When the summer sun is shining down, and the temperatures are rising, marinades are on our minds, along with a tall glass of refreshing lemonade, that is. Spicy marinades also imply that it is grill season, so stock up on your favorite ingredients, invite your closest friends over and get that grill fired up!
Chicken is a classic protein for grilling, whether it be Tandoori chicken or grilled pesto chicken kebabs, but today we are mixing up a blend of spices like you've never experienced before.
What goes in our tempting spice mix? Garlic, shallots, ginger, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, turmeric, fennel, and cayenne pepper. Grab a mortar and pestle, add all those ingredients and make a nice paste; mix in a bit of water and olive oil, then generously coat the chicken thighs, and let them marinate in the aromatic bath for 2 to 12 hours.
The longer, the better, but two hours is a must. Be sure not to skip the fennel powder either, as this humble ingredient adds a surprising flavor to the dish with notes of licorice and anise. Fennel powder is made from the ground seeds, not from the tuber, and is often used in Indian cuisine, as well as added to tomato, seafood, and pork dishes.
When you are stuck on the thought of "What's for dinner?", try something new. Indian-style chicken bites with garam masala, turmeric, and coconut milk, may quickly become a new favorite; feel free to add some fennel powder to that too!
Aromatic-Spiced Grilled Chicken Recipe
Serves: 4 Prep: 20 min + 2 h Cook: 15 min
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken thighs, skinless & boneless
- 2 shallots, minced
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- ½ tsp. allspice
- ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp. turmeric powder
- ½ tsp. fennel powder
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Fresh cilantro to garnish
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
- Grind all of the ingredients, except for the chicken, water, and olive oil, in a mortar and pestle until you get a smooth paste.
- Add the water and olive oil while whisking; season to taste.
- Coat the chicken with the marinade making sure every piece is covered. Marinate for 2 to 12 hours.
- Preheat grill to medium-high.
- Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink.
- Serve topped with fresh cilantro.
📖 Recipe
Aromatic-Spiced Grilled Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken thighs skinless & boneless
- 2 shallots minced
- 4 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 tbsp. fresh ginger minced
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- ½ tsp. allspice
- ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp. turmeric powder
- ½ tsp. fennel powder
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper optional
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Fresh cilantro to garnish
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Grind all of the ingredients, except for the chicken, water, and olive oil, in a mortar and pestle until you get a smooth paste.2 shallots, 4 garlic cloves, 1 tbsp. fresh ginger, 1 tsp. ground cumin, ½ tsp. allspice, ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon, ½ tsp. turmeric powder, ½ tsp. fennel powder, ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
- Add the water and olive oil while whisking; season to taste.¼ cup olive oil, Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, ¼ cup water
- Coat the chicken with the marinade making sure every piece is covered. Marinate for 2 to 12 hours.2 lbs. chicken thighs
- Preheat grill to medium-high.
- Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink.
- Serve topped with fresh cilantro.Fresh cilantro to garnish
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