Smoky Chicken Skewer Bowl (Printable Version)
Smoky grilled chicken skewers atop brown rice with black beans, corn, fresh veggies and lime-yogurt drizzle.
# What You Need:
→ Smoky Chicken Skewers
01 - 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
07 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
08 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - Juice of 1 lime
10 - Bamboo or metal skewers
→ Bowl Base
11 - 2 cups cooked brown rice
12 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
13 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh, frozen, or canned
→ Fresh Toppings
14 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
15 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
16 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
17 - 1 avocado, sliced
18 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - Lime wedges for serving
→ Zesty Yogurt Sauce
20 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
21 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
22 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
23 - Salt and pepper to taste
# How To Make:
01 - In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, ground cumin, chipotle chili powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and lime juice. Add the chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes.
02 - Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto bamboo or metal skewers, leaving a small gap between pieces for even cooking.
03 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the skewers for 4 to 5 minutes per side until the chicken is cooked through and lightly charred. Remove and set aside.
04 - In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, lime juice, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and well blended.
05 - Divide the cooked brown rice, black beans, and corn among four bowls. Arrange the grilled chicken skewers on top and garnish with cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced red onion, avocado, and chopped cilantro.
06 - Drizzle each bowl generously with the zesty yogurt sauce and serve alongside fresh lime wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The smoky marinade doubles as a flavor bomb for the chicken and makes your whole kitchen smell incredible.
- Everything assembles in bowls so there is zero fussy plating and everyone can customize their own.
02 -
- If your bamboo skewers are not soaked they will burn and potentially snap while grilling which I learned the hard way one memorable evening.
- Letting the chicken marinate for a full thirty minutes instead of fifteen transforms the flavor from good to genuinely unforgettable.
03 -
- Dry the chicken pieces with a paper towel before marinating so the spices stick better and you get a real sear instead of steaming.
- Make a double batch of the yogurt sauce because you will absolutely want to use it on everything from roasted vegetables to breakfast eggs the next morning.