Chicken Kebab
Our slimming friendly Chicken Kebab is a fantastic substitute to the calorific late night takeaway and is great if you're counting calories or following a plan like Weight Watchers.
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NutritionPer Serving
- Calories347
- Carbs2g
- Protein39g
- Fat16g
- Saturates5g
- Sugars0.4g
For the full list of ingredients and comprehensive instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post. Before you scroll, there’s important stuff to know in the blurb!
Although it may seem like a bit of a faff for some chicken marinaded in fat free yoghurt and spices, we promise that this Chicken Kebab is totally worth it!
The kebabs from your local takeaway are not only full of calories, but can often be quite dry, which is so disappointing when you’re craving one! The chicken in our Chicken Kebabs will come out beautifully moist and full of flavour – and much lower on calories and Points too.
This Chicken Kebab recipe is super versatile and we love it served with rice or in a wholemeal pitta with lots of salad!
What diets is this Chicken Kebab suitable for?
This Chicken Kebab recipe is suitable if you’re following a gluten free diet.
Please make sure to double or triple check all of your ingredients if you’re cooking for people with allergies.
How Weight Watchers friendly is this Chicken Kebab recipe?
- You need to count 8 Points per portion of this Chicken Kebab recipe if you’re on WW Green.
- You need to count 8 Points per portion of this Chicken Kebab recipe if you’re on WW Blue.
- You need to count 8 Points per portion of this Chicken Kebab recipe if you’re on WW Purple.
Do you need any special ingredients or equipment to make this Chicken Kebab?
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You shouldn’t have to go out and buy any special ingredients for this recipe. All the spices used are pretty popular so you’ll probably have them in the cupboard already.
This post contains affiliate links: what this means
You can find these wooden skewers on Amazon.
A sturdy, good quality baking tray is useful for this recipe, and a good one will last for years!
How many calories are in this Chicken Kebab?
There are 347 calories in each portion of our slimming friendly Chicken Kebab which means it falls into our Everyday Light recipe category.
This Chicken Kebab is perfect if you’re counting calories, and fits well with any one of the major diet plans such as Weight Watchers.
As a guide, an average man needs around 2,500kcal (10,500kJ) a day to maintain a healthy body weight. For an average woman, that figure is around 2,000kcal (8,400kJ) a day. Obviously, if your goal is to lose weight then you might want to adjust these slightly! You can read more about these recommendations on the NHS website.
Step 1
Mix all the ingredients (except the chicken) in a large bowl.
Step 2
Add the chicken and mix well, ensuring it is all coated well.
Step 3
Cover with cling film and refrigerate for a couple of hours.
Step 4
Cut the end off the potato or peeled onion and insert 3 skewers
Step 5
Thread each marinated chicken thigh on to the skewers, pressing each one down firmly.
Step 6
Stand the assembled skewer upright on a baking tray and cook for 1.5 hours at 180°C.
Step 7
Remove from the oven and allow to rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve.
What should you should serve with this Chicken Kebab?
What should you should serve with this Chicken Kebab?Any of the following go really well with this Chicken Kebab recipe. It’s one of those dishes that goes with pretty much anything and it’s so hearty that it can, of course, be eaten on its own!
Whatever accompaniment you choose, don’t forget to account for the extra calories and/or other nutritional values.
How do you know when this Chicken Kebab is cooked?
You should cook this Chicken Kebab until the juices run clear when you prick the chicken.
Standard advice here in the UK is to cook food until it has reached 70°C and stayed at that temperature for 2 minutes. This is to keep your family safe.
How long can you keep this Chicken Kebab in the fridge?
Once you’ve cooked this recipe, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours.
If you allow any left overs to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid and chill. You can keep this Chicken Kebab in the fridge for approximately 2 or 3 days.
Can I freeze this Chicken Kebab?
This recipe can be frozen, but please remember to do the following;
- Freeze it as soon as it is cold enough.
- Use a container or bag that is suitable for freezing.
Don’t forget to add a label with what it is, and on what date you put it in the freezer! Unless you fancy mystery food for dinner haha.
How do I reheat this Chicken Kebab?
From chilled: Place in a microwave proof container with loosely fitting lid and heat for a few minutes until piping hot.
From frozen: Allow to defrost in the fridge, and heat covered in the microwave for a few minutes until piping hot.
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Chicken Kebab
Our slimming friendly Chicken Kebab is a fantastic substitute to the calorific late night takeaway and is great if you're counting calories or following a plan like Weight Watchers.
-
Prep Time
25 MINS
-
Cook Time
1 HR 30
-
WW
8 Smart
Points - KCals 347
- Carbs 2G
- WW Points:
- 8 Green
- 8 Blue
- 8 Purple
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Find out why hereInstructions
- Mix all the ingredients (except the chicken) in a large bowl
- Add the chicken and mix well, ensuring it is all coated well
- Cover with cling film and refrigerate for a couple of hours
- Cut the end off the potato or peeled onion insert 3 skewers
- Thread each marinated chicken thigh on to the skewers, pressing each one down firmly
- Stand the assembled skewer upright on a baking tray and cook for 1.5 hours at 180°C
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve
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117 comments
See what others have to say
Kelly Ann GazzardFriday 9th April 2021
Anyway of stopping it burning so much on the outside
HollyFriday 16th April 2021
Hey Kelly Ann, your oven may be running a little on the hot side, try lowering the temperature a little. Hope that helps!
Katie MarshallSaturday 13th February 2021
Hi I’m making this with chicken breast I only have 4 but it’s only for me and my husband would I half the calories from the total if I halved the mixture to to put over the chicken sorry it’s to add to my fitness pal thank u
HollyMonday 15th February 2021
Hey Katie, the calories and nutritional information shown on this recipe are for 1 portion of the recipe if you are halving the mixture then yes half the calories, hope that helps!
SteveWednesday 10th February 2021
Could you tell me how many this serves please, trying to enter it in my Fitness pal.
HollyWednesday 10th February 2021
Hi Steve, this recipe serves 4 people but if you scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page there are a set of arrows by servings and you can alter them up or down depending on how many you are cooking for. Hope that helps!
Marie HarnettTuesday 2nd February 2021
Hi there, is there a way to save this recipe to my account so I don’t loose it or have to keep searching for it. ?
Many thanks 😊
HollyWednesday 3rd February 2021
Hi Marie, have a look at this article HERE which talks you through how to save a recipe, hope that helps!
DawnFriday 29th January 2021
I am dairy free, i was wondering if anyone has found if there is a suitable Dairy Free yoghurt or any alternative that works.
HollyTuesday 2nd February 2021
Hi Dawn, I’ve used Alpro Plain Yogurt Alternative for this recipe before and it worked fine you could also try Koko Dairy Free Plain Yogurt Alternative but this would add a subtle coconut flavour to the kebabs, hope that helps!
Shanice RobinsonWednesday 6th January 2021
Hi, is this recipe and the calories including the pitta bread or just the meat? Thankyou!
SharonThursday 7th January 2021
Hi Shanice, the calories stated are just for the chicken meat. You will need to add calories for whatever accompaniment you choose to serve it with.
Thanks for getting in touch and hope you like the recipe.
Charlotte DTuesday 5th January 2021
Have just realised our wooden skewers are packed away for our house move! Can you recommend timings and temp for grilling the chicken instead? Or alternative best cooking method for those of us without skewers.
SharonTuesday 5th January 2021
Hi Charlotte, if you haven’t got skewers you could place the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer in a greased oven proof dish and bake them in the oven at 180ºC for about 35 – 45 minutes. Make sure there is no pinkness, the juices run clear and the chicken is piping hot throughout. Not a kebab, but you will still be able to cut the cooked thighs up and use as you would have done in the recipe.
Deborah murphyThursday 12th November 2020
Hi,
Can I ask how long to cook in a ninja foodi max please TIA X
HollyThursday 3rd December 2020
Hi Deborah, we haven’t tested this recipe in a Ninja Foodie Max but I would suggest using the air fry or grill function would give the best results. Cook for 25 minutes as a guide and test the chicken to make sure no pinkness remains it is also a good idea to refer to the manufacturers instructions on cooking times and temperatures. We have two really great articles on our website for converting recipes for Slow Cookers and Instant Pot which you might find helpful when converting recipes for your Ninja Foodie. Hope that helps!
RoseWednesday 28th October 2020
Hello
I have marinated the chicken but I forgot the lemon juice. Will this make a huge difference, can I add it in after?
HollyThursday 29th October 2020
Hi Rose, these Chicken Kebabs will be fine without the lemon juice in the marinade. You could always serve them with a squeeze of lemon over the top. Hope that helps!
Carrie-AnnSaturday 13th June 2020
Absolutely loved this. Just had it for our tea with wedges yummy!!
SharonMonday 15th June 2020
Hi Carrie-Ann,
We’re so pleased to hear you loved the Chicken Kebab, thanks for letting us know!
kellyThursday 4th June 2020
I have only 5 chicken thighs is this ok?
SharonThursday 4th June 2020
Hi Kelly, yes, you could make this with 5 chicken thighs and make a smaller kebab. You could halve the marinade ingredients and cook the kebab for a shorter time. You could try cooking it for about 45 minutes – 1 hour, then test with a sharp knife to make sure the chicken is thoroughly cooked. The juices from the chicken will run clear when its properly cooked. If there is any sign of pinkness, keep cooking until the chicken is white throughout and the juices are clear. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Jane BowerSaturday 30th May 2020
Can I substitute the yogurt with fat free Greek yogurt as this was sent as a substitute with my shopping? Thank you
LisaSunday 31st May 2020
Hi Jane. Yes, Greek yogurt works just as well in this recipe. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Helen CWednesday 20th May 2020
Hi. I’m a bit unclear on why this is 8 points on blue when chicken is a zero point food on blue…? Am I missing something? Thanks
LisaThursday 21st May 2020
Hi Helen. This recipe is made with chicken thighs which are a pointed food. You could replace the thighs with chicken breast to cut the points. Hope this helps.
KateWednesday 13th May 2020
Why are the calories different from the chicken gyros kebab? It looks like the same recipe, the only change is how you place the chicken in the oven
Holly LevellTuesday 26th May 2020
Hey Kate, the difference between the Chicken Gyros Kebab and this Chicken Kebab is the addition of the potato or onion used to stabilise the chicken in the oven whilst cooking. As this could be eaten it’s included in the nutritional information. Hope that helps!
Jane GoveWednesday 13th May 2020
I am making this tomorrow however I only have chicken fillets. Any change you can tell me an approx weight alternative to 9 chicken thighs please?
Sharon FitzpatrickWednesday 20th May 2020
Hi Jane, 9 skinless, boneless chicken thighs weigh approximately 1 kg so you could try using approximately 1 kg of chicken breast.Thanks for your question and hope you enjoy this recipe!
GraemeFriday 10th April 2020
How much lemon juice do you use? It just says “1 lemon juice” in the ingredients. Thanks
Steve CowderoyWednesday 6th May 2020
Hi Graeme, thanks for getting in touch with us, for this recipe just use the juice of 1 lemon. Hope this helps.
GemmaThursday 9th April 2020
Which book is this recipe in?
Steve CowderoyWednesday 6th May 2020
Hi Gemma, this recipe is one from our website, but we do have a Tandoori Chicken Kebab recipe in our first book. Hope this helps
Samantha woodmanseyWednesday 18th March 2020
Can you eat the potato at the bottom?
Holly LevellThursday 21st May 2020
Hi Samantha, yes you can eat the potato just be careful when removing the skewers. Hope that helps!
HeatherWednesday 15th January 2020
Currently cooking in the oven. Fingers crossed ??
Sharon FitzpatrickFriday 15th May 2020
Hi Heather, how did the Chicken Kebab go? Do hope you enjoyed it.
BecksTuesday 14th January 2020
Hi, can I marinade this overnight to cook for dinner tomorrow?
Sharon FitzpatrickWednesday 13th May 2020
Hi Becks, yes, you can marinade the chicken overnight in the fridge as long as you are using fresh chicken. If you are using chicken that has been frozen and defrosted you should cook it on the same day it was defrosted. Thanks for getting in touch.
melSunday 29th September 2019
Can i Use chicken breast if so would i reduce the cooking time ?
Holly LevellThursday 21st May 2020
Hi Mel, You can make it with chicken breasts although it may become dry. It will need a similar length of time due to the quantity of meat that we’ve used to make uo the kebab. Hope that helps!
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