Chicken Boti Kabab is a popular grilled snack and appetizer from India served on skewers.
This easy homemade Boti Kabab recipe is so simple you just combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl then let the meat marinate in the fridge before firing up the grill.
Wooden skewers thread through spiced boneless chicken thighs before being barbecued or baked in the oven until tender and juicy.
Serve Boti Kabab with Indian flatbreads like naan and paratha alongside fresh salads and chutney.
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What Is Boti Kabab?
Boti Kabab is a popular roadside delicacy that originated from Lucknow, India.
Boti Kabab are a variety of Indian kebabs consisting of chunks of meat (lamb, mutton, chicken, or beef) that are marinated in a mixture of yogurt, garlic, ginger, chilis, and spices such as garam masala, chili powder, and cumin.
Where boti means “pieces of meat” and kabab refers to the fact they are grilled over a barbecue on skewers. They can also be roasted in an oven and finished off with a nice char under a hot broiler.
Chicken Boti Kabab are easy to make year round as an appetizer or cutlery-free dinner!
If you love Indian Chicken Boti Kebab you may also enjoy a similar recipe Pakistani Chicken Tikka Boti Kebab.
Travel to India by Cooking Chicken Boti Kabab at Home
I love traveling through Asia.
My first visit to Asia had me living in South Korea for a year as a teacher and it’s where I was first introduced to fermented vegetables like kimchi.
After my contract ended in Seoul I travelled throughout Asia for 6 months, visiting the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, The Maldives and India.
I spent over a month traveling through India. I started in the capital, eating my way through the bustling markets and fine dining restaurants in Delhi. I then embarked on a magical weekend getaway to awe-inspiring Taj Mahal in Agra. In India’s north you’ll find plenty of barbecue and wheat based side dishes like scorched naan bread.
For the second half of my Indian adventure I explored the southern state of Kerala. The south is famous for its seafood, coconut, tropical fruits, and rice based side dishes like crispy dosa. The colonial capital of Cochin was formerly run by the Portuguese. It’s also one of the only places in India you can find beef on a menu.
After enjoying a jaunt to the Maldives my India trip came to a close in the Bollywood capital, bustling and cosmopolitan Mumbai. The city is famous for its specialty street foods and fine dining restaurants at opulent luxury hotels. The Taj Mahal Palace in particular serves one of the world’s most famous Afternoon Teas.
What I found most fascinating is India’s distinct regional food cultures. Much like the regional cuisines found in France, Germany, Italy or Spain, each city in India had its own local speciality.
After you’ve traveled to India, return home to prepare an authentic and fragrant feast for friends and family featuring this flavourful Chicken Boti Kabab recipe!
Where To Eat Boti Kabab
If you live in a large city in Canada or America you’ll likely have access to local Indian or Pakistani restaurants that serve traditional Boti Kabab.
Haven’t traveled to the Indian subcontinent before? It may be helpful to first sample homemade kabab at a local restaurant to better understand how the dish is served. You can determine if you want to use chicken breasts or thighs, ideal balance of spices in the marinade and complimentary dishes to serve at the table.
In Toronto, popular Indian and Pakistani restaurants that may serve Chicken Boti Kabab include Udupi Palace, Lahore Tikka House and Kothur Indian Cuisine.
My Family Loves Chicken Boti Kabab
My family loves trying different regional Indian dishes.
I love the versatility of this Chicken Boti Kabab recipe. In the hot Summer months you can easily grill them on a barbecue as a quick & easy lunch or dinner idea. During the cold Fall and Winter we like to roast them in the oven then quickly char the exterior of the meat under a hot broiler before serving.
I knew my family would enjoy this Boti Kabab recipe because they love grilled meat, healthy chicken dishes and flavourful marinades.
The way in which you serve the kebabs is also very versatile. At a party you can pass around the skewers as a hands-free snack or appetizer. For a more substantial sit down meal pair the skewers with a fresh salad, hot soup and your favourite flatbread. Kids enjoy Chicken Boti Kabab wrapped around warm naan as a wrap or roll topped with chopped tomatoes, lettuce and spicy chutney.
If you’ve traveled to India on holiday there is no better way to share your adventure at home with family and friends then by serving this easy Chicken Boti Kabab recipe!
Health Benefits
Our healthy Boti Kabab recipe is packed full of healthy ingredients!
The star component of turmeric is curcumin, a potent phytochemical that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is often prescribed in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to help relieve arthritis, aid digestion and inhibit the growth of cancers.
Chili has been proven to help reduce the duration of sickness, prevent heart disease, and promote weight loss.
Paprika is rich in vitamin A, capsaicin, and carotenoid antioxidants. These substances may help prevent inflammation and improve your cholesterol, eye health and blood sugar levels.
A rich source of blood-building iron, cumin may also help balance your blood sugar levels and reduce bad cholesterol. It is also traditionally used as a digestive aid.
It is only recently that scientists have begun to identify the components responsible for garlic’s myriad health benefits. Rich in phytochemicals and potassium, garlic helps boost your immune system, fight cancer and protect your heart.
Ginger contains at least 14 phytochemicals, many of which have impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It also has a good source of copper, which supports your bones, blood and nervous system.
Packed with calcium and friendly probiotic bacteria, sour cream and yogurt help keep your bones strong and your gut healthy. Yogurt may also help reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes and some types of cancer.
A rich source of phytochemicals and vitamin C, lemons help boost your immune system and neutralize free radicals that cause disease and skin aging. Lemons also protect against heart disease and help improve blood flow to the brain.
Chicken is high in protein and provides B vitamins such as niacin, which helps your body access the energy in foods.
Boti Kabab Recipe Cooking Tips
If it’s your first time cooking Boti Chicken Kabab be sure to review our detailed step-by-step recipe below. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to get you started.
- We’ve used skinless boneless chicken thighs as they’re tender and full of flavour. You can use chunks of chicken breast if you prefer.
- Chicken Boti Kabab is so versatile you can use the marinade with other meats to make Mutton Boti Kabab, Lamb Boti Kabab or Beef Boti Kabab.
- The lemon juice in this recipe acts as an acid that helps tenderize the meat when marinating. You can substitute with lime juice if you prefer.
- We’ved used 0% Greek Yogurt in this recipe but you can substitute for a fattier variety if you prefer.
- We’ve used minced ginger and garlic in this recipe but you can use bottled ginger garlic paste as a substitute.
- Soak the wooden skewers in water overnight so they don’t snap or crack while grilling.
Serving Suggestions
Boti Kabab is one of our favourite Indian snacks or appetizers to serve at an outdoor summer barbecue as they require no cutlery.
The healthy recipe can also be served as a lunch or dinner alongside steamed rice or a selection of flatbreads like naan or paratha. If you’re looking to impress guests at a dinner party add several courses by serving fresh salads, soups, and dal.
If you’re hosting a large Indian-themed potluck or buffet you may want to serve this Boti Kabab recipe alongside:
- Indian Vegetarian Creamy Corn Black Bean Curry
- Chilli Paneer Gravy Restaurant Style Masala
- Tofu Meatballs in Creamy Vegan Korma Curry Sauce
- Indian Vegetarian Paneer Frankie Kathi Roll
- Vegetarian Oven Baked Tandoori Gobi Cauliflower
- Healthy Vegetarian Indian Paneer Tikka Salad
- Gluten Free Chickpea Flour Indian Pancakes
- Aloo Fry Vegetarian Indian Turmeric Potatoes
- Warm Indian Vegan Sprouted Mung Bean Salad
- Curry Leaf Rice with Cashews Recipe
- Indian Thakkali Tomato Biryani Recipe
- Chanachur Chivda Bombay Mixture Namkeen
- Parippu Vada Recipe With Coconut Chutney
- Healthy Vegan Tomato Chutney For Dosa
- Pitod Ki Sabji Vegetarian Indian Chickpea Dumplings
- Chingri Malai Curry Creamy Bengali Coconut Prawns
- Pepper Milagu Rasam Vegan South Indian Soup
- Chicken Manchow Soup Recipe
- Turmeric Pumpkin Spice Indian Cake
- Quick & Easy Indian Onion Salad
How To Make Easy Chicken Boti Kabab
Chicken Boti Kabab
Equipment
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- mixing bowl
- Kebab Skewers
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb Skinless Boneless Chicken Thighs sliced into 2 inch strips
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt
- 1 tbsp Ginger minced
- 2 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 tsp Garam Masala
- 1 tsp Coriander Powder
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Red Chili Powder
- 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 1/2 tsp Ground Turmeric
- Black Pepper
- 3 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 1 tbsp Chickpea Gram Flour
Instructions
- Put the chicken in a large mixing bowl. Add the salt, lemon juice and greek yogurt and massage into the meat with your hands. Set aside for 20 minutes.
- Add the ginger, garlic, garam masala, coriander powder, cumin, paprika, chili pepper, red pepper flakes, turmeric and black pepper. Mix well, cover, refrigerated for 6 hours or overnight.
- In a non-stick skillet over medium heat add 3 tbsp vegetable oil and chickpea flour. Stir for 2 minutes until the flour browns. Scrape into the bowl with chicken and toss to combine.
- Just before serving, preheat the broiler in your oven. Thread the meat onto wooden skewers. Brush with oil and balance the skewers on the rim of a shallow baking tray. Place about 5 inches from the source of the heat and broil for 6 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned and cooked through.
Nutrition
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