You don’t need a BBQ to create delicious chicken skewers – this recipe pairs sweet and spicy harissa chicken with cool, garlicky tzatziki. Serve with salad and pitta bread for a healthy and hearty summer meal.

When summer arrives, the nights start getting longer and it finally stops raining, the first thing I want to eat is a BBQ. But when you live in a one bedroom flat with no balcony and no garden, it’s just not going to happen.

So, in a bid to satisfy my BBQ craving and drawing inspiration from the Middle Eastern cuisine that I love, this recipe was born. The hot, sweet and juicy chicken skewers are paired perfectly with cooling homemade tzatziki. It’s really simple and delicious.

The key thing to note is that, while you can make this recipe quickly, if you really want a flavour punch on your chicken you should marinade it for as long as possible. 3 hours would do but overnight will really help that chicken pick up that gorgeous harissa flavour.

I hope you enjoy!

How to make Honey Harissa Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki

Prep time: 30-40 mins

Cooking time: 20-30 mins

Serves: 4 people

For the honey harissa chicken skewers

Ingredients:

For the chicken:

• 4-5 skinless and boneless chicken thighs, diced
• 4 tbsp harissa paste
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp honey
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1-2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• Salt & pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the tzatziki

• 1/2 a cucumber, grated
• 2-3 tbsp greek yoghurt
• 1-2 cloves of garlic, grated
• Salt to taste

How to make Honey Harissa Chicken Skewers

1. Add the harissa paste, tomato paste, honey, lemon juice and minced garlic into a bowl and mix.
2. Gently pour in 2 tbsp of olive oil and mix, then season well with salt and pepper.
3. Add in diced chicken thighs and stir till well coated. Marinade for as long as you can – between 3 hours or overnight. You can move onto cooking straight away, but the flavour won’t be as strong.
4. Once you’re ready to cook, preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.
5. Thread the chicken onto skewers.
6. Place the skewers on a baking tray, ensuring they are separated.
7. Roast in the oven on one side for 15 minutes, then flip and bake until fully cooked through, golden and juicy.
8. Serve with tzatziki, salad and pita breads.

How to make Tzatziki

1. Finely grate half a cucumber, skin and all.
2. Add the grated cucumber to a sieve on top of a bowl. Season all over with salt and mix, then leave for 30 minutes to help drain some of the water out.
3. After 30 minutes, squeeze the cucumber to remove as much water as you can, then add to a bowl.
4. Add greek yoghurt and as much garlic as you like and mix. Season well and serve!

If you like chicken recipes, why not try my Yoghurt-Marinated Chicken Kebab, Chicken with Romesco Sauce or Chicken in White Wine Sauce?

Enjoy – and don’t forget to let me know if you make it!