08 November 2025
Charred Middle Eastern Chicken Bowls + Garlic
Shredhappens (adapted by JojoM)
Juicy marinated chicken skewers with cooling garlic yogurt sauce and bright tomato–sumac salad. Grill, oven or air fryer—weeknight easy and summer-BBQ ready.
Charred Middle Eastern Chicken Bowls + Garlic 🧄🔥
Juicy, spiced chicken skewers grilled to perfection and served with a cooling garlic yogurt sauce and a tangy tomato–sumac salad — this dish brings Middle Eastern summer flavors straight to your kitchen! Whether you grill, roast, or air fry, every bite is smoky, creamy, and bright. Perfect for meal prep, BBQs, or a quick weeknight dinner.
🥣 The Magic of Marinade
A yogurt and tomato paste base locks in moisture while Aleppo pepper, paprika, and lemon juice give the chicken that signature warm, tangy, and lightly smoky profile. Let the chicken rest in this marinade for at least 2 hours — overnight if you can — for maximum depth of flavor.
🔥 Cooking Tips
Skewer your marinated chicken (and maybe some onion or peppers for color!), then grill until the edges char beautifully. You’re aiming for caramelized golden edges while keeping the inside tender and juicy. No grill? The oven and air fryer both work wonders — just flip halfway through for even cooking.
- Grill: 12–15 min over medium-high
- Oven: 200°C / 400°F for 20–25 min
- Air Fryer: 200°C / 400°F for 20–25 min
👉 Pro Tip: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to lock in those juices.
🧄 Creamy Garlic Yogurt Sauce
This sauce is what ties it all together — creamy, garlicky, lemony perfection. A mix of yogurt, mayo, sour cream, and lemon juice creates a cooling drizzle that balances the spice of the chicken. For a lighter texture, whisk in a bit of cold water until smooth and pourable just before serving.
🍅 Bright Tomato–Sumac Salad
No bowl is complete without a fresh, zesty side! Toss halved cherry tomatoes with red onion, parsley, olive oil, a sprinkle of sumac, and a pinch of salt. The tang of sumac complements the smoky chicken and cuts through the richness of the sauce beautifully.
🍽️ Build Your Bowl
- Start with your base — rice, quinoa, or a low-carb grain alternative.
- Add the juicy chicken skewers.
- Spoon over that refreshing tomato–sumac salad.
- Drizzle generously with garlic sauce and top with extra parsley or sumac for a pop of color.
Each bite is juicy, bright, and full of contrast — creamy, tangy, and savory all at once.
💡 Tips for Success
- Marinate for 2–6 hours (or overnight) for deeper flavor.
- Soak wooden skewers for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Cook chicken to 74°C / 165°F for perfect juiciness.
- Rest before serving to seal in moisture.
- Add cold water to the sauce for an easy drizzle texture.
🌟 Why You’ll Love It
- High in protein, low in carbs
- Works for BBQ, oven, or air fryer
- Great for meal prep — the flavors only get better
- Gluten-free and easily made dairy-free
💬 Community Love
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Picked up a few bags of the high-protein rice—tastes great and this chicken makes such a healthy bowl!” — 2chinapearls
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Excellent! The grill char takes it over the top. Wife’s already asked for a repeat 😄” — michaelobrian6
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Thank you—looks great and super easy for a weeknight.” — Saida
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Yummy 😋 Super juicy and the garlic sauce is perfect.” — Han
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I like it—fresh, bright and filling without the crash.” — Vitality Hub
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Looks delicious! Making this for our BBQ this weekend.” — China
🧠 FAQ
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Just cut into similar-sized cubes and cook for 10–12 minutes total. Keep an eye out to prevent drying — pull once internal temp hits 74°C/165°F.
What can I use instead of Aleppo pepper?
A mix of mild chili flakes and a touch of smoked paprika mimics Aleppo’s fruity heat.
How do I make this dairy-free?
Use unsweetened coconut yogurt for the marinade and a dairy-free mayo for the sauce — still creamy, still flavorful!
🔥 Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. ¼ of recipe, without rice)
Calories: 480 | Protein: 32g | Fat: 36g | Carbs: 8g
A satisfying, bold, and balanced meal you’ll crave on repeat — whether you’re eating clean or firing up the grill this weekend!
Charred Middle Eastern Chicken Bowls + Garlic
Shredhappens (adapted by JojoM)Juicy marinated chicken skewers with cooling garlic yogurt sauce and bright tomato–sumac salad. Grill, oven or air fryer—weeknight easy and summer-BBQ ready.
Chef's Tips
Marinate 2–6 hours (overnight for deeper flavour). Bring chicken to room temperature 20 minutes before cooking.
For wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
Aim for a light char while keeping the centre juicy—pull at 74°C/165°F.
No grill? Roast at 200°C/400°F 20–25 minutes, or air fry at 200°C/400°F ~20–25 minutes, turning halfway.
Thin the garlic sauce with cold water to a drizzle consistency just before serving.
Tools Used
Mixing Bowls(opens in a new tab)Chopping Board(opens in a new tab)Measuring SpoonsSkewersTongsInstant-read Thermometer(opens in a new tab)
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Ingredients
USMetric
Chicken & Marinade
Garlic Yogurt Sauce
Tomato–Sumac Salad
To Serve (Optional)
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- 1
In a large bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Aleppo pepper, cinnamon, salt, pepper, tomato paste, yogurt and lemon juice.
- 2
Add chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated. Cover and marinate in the fridge for 2–6 hours (overnight for best flavour).
Cook the Skewers
- 1
Thread chicken onto skewers (add onion/pepper chunks if using).
- 2
Grill over medium-high heat 12–15 minutes, turning once, until lightly charred and the thickest piece reaches 74°C/165°F.
- 3
Oven option: roast at 200°C/400°F for 20–25 minutes, turning halfway. Air fryer: 200°C/400°F for 20–25 minutes, shaking/turning halfway.
- 4
Rest 5 minutes on a warm plate.
Make the Garlic Sauce
- 1
Combine garlic, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, zest, parsley, salt and pepper.
- 2
Thin with cold water to a pourable drizzle; chill until serving.
Mix the Tomato–Sumac Salad
- 1
Toss tomatoes, red onion, parsley, olive oil, sumac and a pinch of salt. Set aside 5–10 minutes to lightly marinate.
Build the Bowls
- 1
Spoon rice or quinoa into bowls (optional).
- 2
Top with 1–2 chicken skewers, pile on tomato–sumac salad and drizzle generously with garlic sauce.
- 3
Finish with extra parsley and a pinch of sumac; serve immediately.
Comments & Reviews
China
11/8/2025
Looks delicious! Making this for our BBQ this weekend.
Vitality Hub
11/8/2025
I like it—fresh, bright and filling without the crash.
Han
11/8/2025
Yummy 😋 Super juicy and the garlic sauce is perfect.
Saida
11/8/2025
Thank you—looks great and super easy for a weeknight.
michaelobrian6
11/8/2025
Excellent! The grill char takes it over the top. Wife’s already asked for a repeat 😄
2chinapearls
11/8/2025
Picked up a few bags of the high-protein rice—tastes great and this chicken makes such a healthy bowl!
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Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1/4 of recipe, without rice)
Calories 480
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 36g46%
Saturated Fat 14g70%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 210mg70%
Sodium 780mg34%
Total Carbohydrates 8g3%
Dietary Fiber 1.5g5%
Sugars 5g
Protein 32g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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