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    Home » Recipes » Main Course Recipes

    Easy Chicken Tikka Kebab Tacos

    May 14, 2019 | by Jennifer | Last Updated: Jul 1, 2021

    Jump to Recipe

    Classic Indian chicken tikka kebabs meet tacos! Cooks up quickly on the bbq or under your oven broiler, then served on tortillas with yogurt sauce and greens.

    chicken tikka tacos on board

    If it's Tuesday, it must be time for tacos! These Chicken Tikka Tacos bring classic Indian flavours to taco night, with easy and quick chicken skewers that can be cooked on the bbq or under the broiler in the oven.

    I love to combine different flavours with tacos and these Indian-inspired tacos are a perfect example of that. Classic chicken tikka kebabs, garnished simply with lettuce, cucumber and cilantro, then served with a dollop of cooling yogurt sauce.

    Jump to:
    • What is Chicken Tikka?
    • Is Chicken Tikka the same as Chicken Tikka Masala?
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Cook's Notes
    • Recipe
    • More Taco Recipes from the Seasons and Suppers Archives
    • Save or share this recipe
    • Comments, Questions and Reviews

    What is Chicken Tikka?

    Chicken tikka is an Indian dish that is traditionally small pieces of boneless chicken baked or grilled on skewers after marinating in Indian spices and yogurt. The word tikka translates roughly to "bits and pieces". It differs from Tandoori Chicken in that the Tandoori version usually uses bone-in chicken.

    Is Chicken Tikka the same as Chicken Tikka Masala?

    No. Chicken Tikka is simply marinated and cooked or grilled chicken, usually cooked on skewers - an Indian spiced chicken kebab. Chicken Tikka Masala removes the chicken from the skewers and combines it with an Indian spiced curry sauce known as masala sauce.

    Ingredient Notes

    Tortillas: I've used corn tortillas here, but flour tortillas work just as well. Go for the small ones.

    Yogurt: You can use either regular or Greek plain yogurt for the marinade and the yogurt sauce.

    Cucumber: English cucumbers (the long, seedless ones) are perfect for this taco. I trim off the rounded sides and matchstick those, so they all have some dark green on them. (Save the inside square for salads!)

    Kashmiri chili powder: This Indian chili powder is easily available at Indian grocers or online (Amazon has it). If you don't have or can't find it, substitute with 1/8 tsp cayenne and 3/8 tsp paprika.

    Cook's Notes

    Keep an eye on your chicken for the first cooking time, as your oven broiler might be hotter than mine and your chicken might cook more quickly. You don't want it to brown a lot during the first cooking period, so lower the rack if necessary. If it browns too quickly, the chicken won't be cooked, but the outside will get too charred.

    Speaking of charred, you do want a little char going on here. The last couple minutes of broiling on the higher rack takes care of that. Leave it in as long as you dare :)

    If you prefer, you can cook up the chicken skewers quickly and easily on the BBQ. Cook them for the first part with indirect heat, them move them over a flame to char a bit.

    Be sure to season your yogurt sauce with salt and pepper to really round out the flavours. If you feel it needs a little more spice, add a touch more coriander.

    The nice thing about tacos is that they are endlessly customizable. I've kept the topping here pretty simple, but feel free to add anything else you like.

    I've shown 2 chicken skewers per taco for photographic purposes, but you'll only need one skewer per taco, so the 8 skewers here will make 8 small tacos.

    Change it Up! Swap out the tortillas for Naan (grill it alongside the chicken!) Serve with the chicken tikka skewers, the yogurt sauce for dipping and make a lettuce, cilantro and cucumber salad on the side.

    chicken tikka tacos on board

    Recipe

    chicken tikka tacos on board

    Easy Chicken Tikka Kebab Tacos

    Easy and delicious Indian spiced chicken skewers, serve taco style with lettuce, cucumber and a yogurt sauce.
    Author: Jennifer
    5 stars from 7 ratings
    Print it Pin it + Collection Go to Collections Share by Email
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Marinating Time 15 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Servings 8 tacos

    Ingredients
     

    • 3 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
    • 8 small corn or flour tortillas
    • 8 wood skewers, 6-8 inches long

    Marinade:

    • 1/2 cup yogurt, plain, regular or Greek
    • 1/2 tsp ginger, fresh minced or paste
    • 1/2 tsp cumin
    • 1/2 tsp coriander
    • 1/2 tsp Kashmiri chili powder, *see notes
    • 1/2 tsp garam masala
    • 1/4 tsp turmeric
    • Juice of 1 lime
    • 1 Tbsp tomato paste

    Yogurt Sauce:

    • 1/2 cup yogurt
    • 2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
    • Zest from 1/2 lime
    • Juice of 1/2 lime
    • 1/4 tsp coriander, plus more to taste
    • Salt and freshly ground pepper

    To serve:

    • Chopped fresh cilantro
    • Match-sticked cucumber
    • Leaf lettuce
    • Lime Wedges
    Prevent screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Set skewers to soak in a bowl of water.
    • Prepare the yogurt sauce by stirring together all the ingredients. Let stand at room temperature if cooking shortly or cover and refrigerate if making ahead. (Allow to come to room temperature before serving).
    • Cut chicken breasts into 3 pieces length wise, then cube each piece into 3/4"-ish wide pieces.
    • In a medium bowl, stir together all the marinade ingredients until well combined. Add the chicken and toss to coat well. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. (For a quick version, let stand at room temperature to marinade 15-20 minutes.)
    • Preheat oven broiler to High with oven rack 6-8 inches from the heat source (usually not the top rack position, but one down).
    • Thread chicken pieces onto the 8 skewers, adding 6-8 pieces per skewer. Place skewers on a baking sheet.
    • Place into oven under broiler for 10 minutes, then remove from oven, flip over and broil another 5 minutes. Remove from oven and flip over again. Move rack up to top position and return to oven for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until nicely browned.
    • *If you'd like to warm your tortillas, wrap in foil and pop on a lower rack while you're cooking the chicken.
    • Place some lettuce on the tortillas. Top with a chicken skewer per taco. Garnish with match-sticked cucumber, fresh cilantro and a dollop of yogurt sauce. Serve with a lime wedge for drizzling. To eat, simply slide the skewer out, leaving the chicken in the prepared taco.

    Notes

    *Kashmiri chili powder is available at Indian grocers. If you don't have or can't find, substitute with 1/8 tsp cayenne and 3/8 tsp paprika.
    Be sure to read the "Cook's Notes" included with this post, where I share some valuable tips, options, substitutions and variations for this recipe!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 334mg | Potassium: 427mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 95IU | Vitamin C: 1.8mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1.5mg

    Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.

    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Indian
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    Meet the Author:
    Hi! I'm Jennifer, a home-cook of many years and a lifelong seeker of delicious food! I'm an equal opportunity eater. I enjoy eating all the foods!

    I love to share the classic recipes that I have enjoyed for years, as well as newer discoveries, that have become fast favourites.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marian says

      February 17, 2020 at 3:27 pm

      I’m visiting San Miguel de Allende and these reminded me of a taco dish we had at “The Restaurant “. They were excellent. Next on my list is to try the Tacos El Pasteur here.

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        February 17, 2020 at 7:02 pm

        I'm jealous :) Enjoy the El Pasteur tacos. Another favourite of mine!

        Reply
    2. Nick says

      May 26, 2019 at 7:44 am

      5 stars
      Thanks Jennifer - this was a delicious marinade, and the first home-made yogurt sauce I've truly loved - and even better, the easiest to make! Much appreciated!

      Reply
      • Jennifer Maloney says

        May 26, 2019 at 11:32 am

        So glad you enjoyed it, Nick and yes, easy and delicious is always a good combination :)

        Reply
    3. Karl says

      May 18, 2019 at 6:46 am

      Just love simple grilled meats. This looks fab

      Reply
      • Jennifer Maloney says

        May 18, 2019 at 8:50 am

        Thanks so much, Karl :)

        Reply
    4. [email protected] says

      May 15, 2019 at 5:19 pm

      5 stars
      I must tell you - chicken tikka is the only thing I order when we go out for Indian! This is incredible!! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Jennifer Maloney says

        May 16, 2019 at 7:06 pm

        Thanks so much, Annie :)

        Reply
    5. Candace says

      May 15, 2019 at 3:14 pm

      5 stars
      I made these for dinner last night - wow - just wonderful! I made them exactly as written and they came out perfect. Thanks for a new "regular" recipe!

      Reply
      • Jennifer Maloney says

        May 16, 2019 at 7:06 pm

        So glad you enjoyed them, Candace! I love how easy these are and of course, delicious, too :)

        Reply
    6. Tricia | Saving Room for Dessert says

      May 14, 2019 at 1:27 pm

      5 stars
      This is without a doubt, my kind of dinner! Love these flavors and cooking method. Thanks for sharing Jennifer - I'll be making this soon :)

      Reply
      • Jennifer Maloney says

        May 16, 2019 at 7:07 pm

        Thanks Tricia!

        Reply
    7. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

      May 14, 2019 at 12:47 pm

      5 stars
      Love garam masala! These must be super flavourful! Makes me excited for warmer weather and food like this on the deck :)

      Reply
      • Jennifer Maloney says

        May 16, 2019 at 7:07 pm

        Thanks Dawn and yes, a perfect, easy recipe for the BBQ this Summer!

        Reply
    8. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      May 14, 2019 at 12:28 pm

      5 stars
      What an awesome idea for a taco Jennifer! Bet these are so tasty!

      Reply
      • Jennifer Maloney says

        May 16, 2019 at 7:07 pm

        Thanks Mary Ann :)

        Reply
    9. Milena says

      May 14, 2019 at 10:25 am

      5 stars
      These tikka skewers sounds too good not try and soon. And I never turn down yogurt sauce:) Pinned!

      Reply
      • Jennifer Maloney says

        May 16, 2019 at 7:08 pm

        Thank Milena and yes, I love yogurt sauce, too. Nice for Summer eating, especially.

        Reply

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