This Achari Chicken Kebab is the best chicken kebab I’ve ever made. These spicy, tangy, succulent bites of chicken are grilled to perfection. Achari Chicken is made with the same spices that go into “achar.” If you’ve never had achar before, it’s an Indian pickle – very different from the type of pickle you might be used to eating. Indian pickles are slightly sour and somewhat spicy. They’re delicious. I used to love eating plain roti (bread) with achar as a kid.
The spice mixture for these kebabs is made using whole spices. Freshly ground whole spices have SO much more flavor than pre-ground spices (who knows how long those have been sitting on the shelf anyway). If you want a truly spectacular dish, always go with freshly ground. Get yourself a trusty little spice/coffee grinder – and see the difference it makes in your cooking. You won’t be disappointed. You can buy whole spices online or just get them from your local Indian grocery store to get the best prices.
Typically at my house, my dad does the grilling. In fact, it’s tradition for him to grill on Father’s Day – which is coming right up! We’ve tried taking him out to celebrate, but the fact is he’d rather grill for the family. Maybe it’s a dad thing? I think this dish should be on your menu this Father’s Day or on the Fourth of July or anytime this summer.
If you make achari kebabs even once this summer, you’ll definitely make them again. Trust me.
Achari Chicken Kebab
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1 ½ pounds skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- ¼ teaspoon fenugreek seeds
- ¼ teaspoon kalonji (onion seed)
- ¼ teaspoon black peppercorns
- 3 cardamom pods
, use seeds, discard shell
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 garlic cloves, minced or grated
- 1-inch knob ginger, minced or grated
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 tablespoons mustard oil
- ½ cup coconut cream from the top of a refrigerated can of coconut milk
.
Instructions
- Freshly grind the fennel seeds, fenugreek seeds, kalonji, black peppercorns, and cardamom seeds.
- Add the freshly ground spices and all remaining ingredients to a large bowl and mix well. Add the chicken pieces and mix until well combined.
- Allow the mixture to marinate in the fridge for 2-8 hours. Take it out 30 minutes before grilling to allow the chicken to come to room temperature.
- Thread the pieces of the chicken onto skewers.
- Grill on high heat (lowering to medium-high if needed) until golden brown and cooked through, turning skewers occasionally.
- Transfer skewers to a platter and serve on top of grilled onions, bell peppers and lemon wedges.
Patricia Richards says
June 9, 2014 at 8:53 amIf you’re not dairy intolerant could you use yogurt instead of the coconut milk?
My Heart Beets says
June 9, 2014 at 9:09 amHi Patricia, yes – yogurt will work 🙂
Emily says
June 9, 2014 at 8:55 amWow, can’t wait to try this!
Kim says
June 9, 2014 at 9:03 amThese look so awesome! My husband and I are really in to kebabs and these will have to be made soon!
Veronica says
June 9, 2014 at 9:12 amCan’t wait to try this !
steven says
June 9, 2014 at 9:26 amLooks amazing
Talia B says
June 9, 2014 at 9:52 amThis looks delicious!
Kymber says
June 9, 2014 at 9:55 amoh my gosh…this recipe looks SOOO yummy…I have to make it soon…
Kristin says
June 9, 2014 at 10:30 amI’m not sure I could find all the spices, but it sure looks delicious.
Mona says
June 9, 2014 at 11:14 amI know we would love this! Looking forward to making it!
Thalia M says
June 9, 2014 at 12:40 pmThis looks so good! Def want to give it a try.
Miranda says
June 9, 2014 at 1:23 pmYour recipes are so amazing, I’m so excited to try this. Made your Naan last night and it couldn’t be any easier.
Michele says
June 9, 2014 at 1:42 pmThe picture looks amazing! Looking at the recipe’s ingredient list though; I’ve never seen mustard oil though! I wonder if I could make some with avocado oil and mustard seeds?
Deanna says
April 20, 2016 at 9:44 pmHi – I am also wondering if mustard oil is necessary or if another type of oil can be substituted.
My Heart Beets says
April 20, 2016 at 10:01 pmmustard oil has a very distinct flavor that other oils cannot replicate – but the decision is up to you!
Deanna says
April 24, 2016 at 1:25 pmThank you. I love your recipes so I’m going to find some and make this, it sounds amazing.
Erin S says
June 9, 2014 at 2:18 pmSo yummy looking! We grill year ’round and are always looking for new things to try.
joanna says
June 9, 2014 at 8:38 pmi think you’ve inspired me to grind my own spices!
Maggie says
June 9, 2014 at 9:43 pmCan’t wait to make this on my new grill 😀
Tahirah Salam says
June 9, 2014 at 10:13 pmI was SOOO wanting to try this tonight but didn’t catch the fenugreek seeds in the recipe first time I looked. I’m definitely going to try it asap!
Lydia says
June 10, 2014 at 8:28 amLike the spice chose , I will make recipe soon ! <3 lydia
Samantha says
June 10, 2014 at 9:30 amMy lovely neighbor introduced me to Achar many years ago and it is now a staple in our house, I use it on everything. I’ve never tried making it from scratch so I’d love to try to make this recipe…we have a favorite Indian store close by so I hopefully will find all the spices there. Thank you for the recipe.
Lauren says
June 10, 2014 at 12:43 pmThis sounds DELICIOUS!
Minna says
June 10, 2014 at 1:06 pmLooks so delicious! I can’t wait to try this with summer grilling!
k marie says
June 10, 2014 at 5:46 pmyum yum yum….can’t wait!!
Lisa~~ says
June 10, 2014 at 5:51 pmLooks delish!!
Rita says
June 10, 2014 at 6:00 pmLove to try new recipes. This looks good.
Kim Taylor says
June 10, 2014 at 6:00 pmLooks great, but I can’t make it until I can find fenugreek and cardamom pods.
Stephanie F. says
June 10, 2014 at 6:00 pmLooks great!
Sylvia says
June 10, 2014 at 6:15 pmPinned for later!!! Yum
Sybil says
June 10, 2014 at 6:21 pmNow I want a mortar and pestle to grind my spices! 🙂
tejoo says
June 10, 2014 at 6:23 pmLooks so good. going to try tonight!!
ayelet says
June 10, 2014 at 6:24 pmLove your blog, love Indian food, and have already made several dishes! thank you!
Liz M says
June 10, 2014 at 6:31 pmSounds so good! I love grilling!
Sheila Hellrung says
June 10, 2014 at 6:41 pmWill definitely give it a try. Sounds really good.
Rosemary Erickson says
June 10, 2014 at 6:54 pmWow! Looks so flavorful, can’t wait to try;)
Marilyn says
June 10, 2014 at 6:55 pmYour food is so delicious!
Layla says
June 10, 2014 at 7:39 pmCannot wait to wow my husband with another great recipe! I love your recipes and this looks soooo good!
Merrie M. says
June 10, 2014 at 8:02 pmThis looks SOOO yummy — can’t wait to try it and share with my neighbors! (I live by myself so if I cook or grill anything I usually share.) Thanks for sharing this.
D Stevens says
June 10, 2014 at 8:02 pmLove to grill, looks so good!
Christina says
June 10, 2014 at 9:10 pmI think this recipe looks delicious. The mix of spices sounds amazingly good.
Briita says
June 10, 2014 at 9:28 pmThis recipe looks amazing!
april says
June 10, 2014 at 10:09 pmAll of those spices combined with coconut cream sound like heaven!
Debbie says
June 10, 2014 at 11:20 pmRecipe sounds great and I hope to make it soon!
Craig says
June 10, 2014 at 11:59 pmThe kabobs look great. Lots of ingredients I’ve never used before. (I am trying to cook more) The grilling accessories would be a sweet gift – it could be my Fathers Day gift. Thanks for the post.
Doreen says
June 11, 2014 at 9:40 amOkay! This looks delicious, now I’ve GOT to get myself a small coffee/spice grinder.
Heather says
June 11, 2014 at 9:54 amWill definitely try this. Asked you a question about it on the fb comment. Made something similar with Aleppo pepper the other day and it was great so this will be another excellent one to add to my grilling repertoire! Thanks!
Jaclyn Reynolds says
June 11, 2014 at 10:36 amLooks so delicious! Would love to try the recipe!!
Brianna says
June 11, 2014 at 10:40 amThese look perfect to make this summer! Only problem is, whenever my dad puts something on the grill, he either burns it or under cooks it….looks like I may have to take over!
Diane says
June 11, 2014 at 10:53 amI got a coffee grinder so I can grind my own spices. This recipe sounds like a good use of it.
Christi says
June 11, 2014 at 11:21 amThese look delicious! Would love to win the grill pack with the avo spray! Wonder what stores will carry that?!
Tracy says
June 11, 2014 at 12:34 pmThis looks delicious. Looking forward to trying this.
Kathy says
June 11, 2014 at 2:28 pmThis sounds delicious!
Heather says
June 11, 2014 at 5:35 pmThis recipe looks so yummy.
Xenia Salazar says
June 11, 2014 at 6:50 pmCan’t wait to try it!!
phyllisryan says
June 11, 2014 at 7:46 pmAs I am the griller, this is my recipe. Looks so good.
Brittanie says
June 11, 2014 at 8:18 pmThis spice combination is different than anything I have eaten. I look forward to trying it. I don’t have a grill so I will prob. make it on George Foreman. 🙂
Charlotte says
June 11, 2014 at 8:38 pmYummy! Can’t wait to try it.
Barbara says
June 11, 2014 at 9:19 pmThe recipe looks yummy…!
Gidget says
June 12, 2014 at 11:55 amOh yummy this recipe is perfect!
Donna Kellogg says
June 12, 2014 at 6:14 pmThis looks and sounds great I am gonna try it
Tanya says
June 13, 2014 at 1:02 pmThese kebabs look amazing! Can’t wait to try them!
Blessie Nelson says
June 14, 2014 at 2:58 pmI think its close to the authentic kababs 🙂
Betsy says
June 18, 2014 at 1:18 pmThis looks fantastic. I’m very excited to try it!
Deanna S says
June 25, 2014 at 9:25 pmGreat prize package, love to grill… 🙂
Isabel says
January 10, 2015 at 10:03 pmI have now made many of your recipes as well as directed many of my family and friends here. I am part of a lunch group which since trying your recipes has insisted I “keep it Indian”. Such a hit! Thank you thank you for your amazing recipes and presence. What a gift to the Paleo world!
My Heart Beets says
January 14, 2015 at 2:49 pmIsabel, I am so glad that you like my recipes and that you make Indian food for your lunch group! Thank you for sharing my website with your family and friends – it means so much for my growing blog 🙂
Gavin says
January 4, 2016 at 2:31 pmReally like th look of this dish.
One question….
Are the chicken thighs skinless or do you leave the skin on?
My Heart Beets says
January 11, 2016 at 9:22 amI buy skinless thighs for this recipe. Hope you love it!
Donovan says
October 21, 2016 at 11:09 pmTrivia for me and my guests… Is this pronounced “atchaaree” or “akkarree”?
My Heart Beets says
November 5, 2016 at 9:40 pmHi Donovan! I’m not sure how great I am at spelling out pronunciations but achari is pronounced like this: uh-chaa-ree. Hope that helps 🙂
Saloni says
October 22, 2016 at 9:02 amThis turned out lovely! Thank you, thank you, thank you for this website – now I can cook Indian food and stay paleo! Please produce a hard copy/Kindle version of your cookbook soon!
★★★★★
My Heart Beets says
October 25, 2016 at 2:14 pmSaloni, I’m so glad to hear that! 🙂 And maybe one day!
Swaroop says
January 22, 2019 at 9:12 pmAnother hit! Everyone enjoyed this one…Keep up these great recipes coming!
My Heart Beets says
January 22, 2019 at 10:13 pmSo happy to hear that! Thanks for letting me know how it turned out for you 🙂