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Achari Chicken Kebab

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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 Kebab - an Indian kebab recipe for the grill by myheartbeets.com

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.

Achari Chicken Kebab - an Indian kebab recipe for the grill by myheartbeets.com

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.

achari chicken kebab recipe myheartbeets.com

If you make achari kebabs even once this summer, you’ll definitely make them again.

Achari Chicken Kebab - an Indian kebab recipe for the grill by myheartbeets.com

Achari Chicken Kebab

Achari Chicken Kebab - an Indian kebab recipe for the grill by myheartbeets.com

Achari Chicken Kebab

4.86 from 7 reviews
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Ingredients
 

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.
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Hi, I’m Ashley. Thanks for being here! I truly believe that food brings us closer together. Gather around a table with good food and good people, and you’ll have the ingredients you need to create some happy memories. My hope is that you find recipes here that you can’t wait to share with family and friends.

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Comments

  1. Pallavi says

    4 stars
    Tried this last week as instructed and it was delicious. Both of my kids enjoyed it as the kebabs were flavorful without being too spicy. I hav tried so many of Ashley’s recipes and they never let me down,

    Reply

  2. Reir says

    5 stars
    Hi, I just wanted to say that this is my go to recipe when we have guests over. We absolutely love the flavours and the guests always comment on how delicious these are. I always prep the masala a day or two ahead because the day of entertaining is so busy already. Huge thanks to your dad for sharing this recipe 🙂

    Reply

  3. Riya says

    Hey Ashley,

    This looks drooling. Thanks for the lovely recipe.
    Thinking of making this on this weekend. BTW should we add lemon to give the tangy taste?

    Thanks
    Riya

    Reply

  4. Tina says

    Thanks Ashley. Great recipe. The fresh spices do make a difference. I sprinkled the cooked chicken with bit of lemon juice and then chaat masala.🤤

    Do you have a recipe for minced chicken kabobs? Mine always fall off the wooden sticks. I have also used round metal skewers. Doesn’t work for me.
    Thanks

    Reply

  6. Sonali says

    So since I discovered your site I have been trying different recipes from it all week and today my family asked how I’ve become such a good cook😂😂it’s a back handed compliment I know but I’ll take it, they love these kababs and have already made it a couple times. Thanks for such easy and inspiring recipes ❤️

    Reply

  7. Marry says

    5 stars
    So good, thank you! Lucky for me there is an Indian grocery store near me. The mustard oil I bought doesn’t have much flavor though, KTC brand from the U.K. Is there another brand you recommend? Love your pictures too!

    Reply

  8. Suzy says

    5 stars
    I’ve made this recipe a few times and love it! Especially good dipped into your artichoke hummus. I’ve been able to grill the chicken in the past, but I’ll be making this at a friend’s house and they don’t have a grill. How do you suggest I cook it?

    Reply

  10. Saloni says

    5 stars
    This 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!

    Reply

  12. Gavin says

    Really like th look of this dish.

    One question….

    Are the chicken thighs skinless or do you leave the skin on?

    Reply

  13. Isabel says

    I 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!

    Reply

    • My Heart Beets says

      Isabel, 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 🙂

      Reply

  22. Brittanie says

    This 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. 🙂

    Reply

  28. Christi says

    These look delicious! Would love to win the grill pack with the avo spray! Wonder what stores will carry that?!

    Reply

  30. Brianna says

    These 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!

    Reply

  32. Heather says

    Will 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!

    Reply

  34. Craig says

    The 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.

    Reply

  40. Merrie M. says

    This 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.

    Reply

  41. Layla says

    Cannot wait to wow my husband with another great recipe! I love your recipes and this looks soooo good!

    Reply

  57. Samantha says

    My 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.

    Reply

  59. Tahirah Salam says

    I 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!

    Reply

  63. Michele says

    The 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?

    Reply

  72. Kim says

    These look so awesome! My husband and I are really in to kebabs and these will have to be made soon!

    Reply
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