Delicious chicken and halloumi skewers will bring a whole load of excitement to your daily menu. Chicken thighs are marinated in seven different spices, creating all the beauty and a delightful taste. Combined with squeaky halloumi cheese and sweet cherry tomatoes, these skewers bring all the happiness to your kitchen.
If chicken isn’t the number one meat product on your weekly menu, I’ll be impressed and surprised! In my home, chicken dominates meaty recipes. But this means sometimes I get bored with the same dishes and the taste of chicken over and over again.
This is why these lovely chicken and halloumi skewers are so amazing! You take simple and humble chicken and transform it into something outstanding. With each bite, you’ll savour a perfect balance of flavours, while the contrasting textures of succulent chicken and velvety halloumi dance together on your palate.
As you assemble your skewers, you’ll notice the vibrant colours of the bell peppers and the juicy burst of sweetness from the cherry tomatoes. All the colours and flavours will make your dish not only tasty but also visually stunning. It’s a feast for the eyes that’s bound to impress your family and friends.
Chicken and Halloumi Skewers: Ingredients
You’ll see you only need very basic ingredients to make this dish and create a cohesive meal.
Here is the full ingredients list:
- Chicken thighs – tender and flavourful, chicken thighs are the star of these skewers. Their juicy, succulent nature makes them ideal for absorbing the delightful marinade.
- Soy sauce – bursting with umami, soy sauce adds depth and richness to the marinade, infusing the chicken with its signature savoury notes.
- Lime juice – freshly squeezed lime juice brings a zesty tang to the marinade, perfectly balancing the richness of the soy sauce.
- Smoked paprika – a touch of smokiness transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary. Smoked paprika lends a subtle, aromatic flavour that wonderfully complements the chicken.
- Sweet paprika – sweet paprika contributes a gentle, mild spice that enhances the overall taste of the skewers. It adds a warm and earthy flavour.
- Ginger – a hint of ground ginger infuses a delightful, warming note into the marinade.
- Cayenne pepper – for those who love a touch of heat, cayenne pepper delivers a gentle kick without overwhelming the palate.
- Lemon pepper – brings a zesty twist to the marinade, incorporating a delicate citrusy aroma.
- Halloumi cheese – a firm and salty cheese with a unique characteristic – it doesn’t melt when heated. This allows it to retain its shape and create a delicious contrast in texture alongside the tender chicken.
- Peppers – vibrant and colourful bell peppers make these skewers pop with a rainbow of hues.
- Cherry tomatoes – sweet, juicy, and bite-sized, cherry tomatoes are little bursts of sunshine on these skewers.
Chicken and Halloumi Skewers: Variations
What’s amazing about making the skewers is that you can always change the components and create a completely new recipe.
Here are some ideas to help you with some kitchen improvisation:
- Tandoori-inspired skewers – replace the paprika and ginger with tandoori masala. Add a generous amount of yoghurt to the marinade, which will tenderise the chicken while infusing it with traditional tandoori flavours. Grill or bake the skewers and serve with flatbreads.
- Mediterranean medley – marinate the chicken with olive oil, garlic, oregano, and lemon zest. Swap the lime juice for lemon juice and add a pinch of dried basil. Add zucchini and red onion slices to your skewers.
- Honey glazed skewers – add a drizzle of honey to your marinade. The honey will caramelise as the skewers cook, creating a delectable glaze over the chicken and halloumi. You can also sprinkle some sesame seeds on top.
- Spicy jerk skewers – mix scotch bonnet peppers (or hot chilli pepper), allspice, thyme, cinnamon, and a touch of brown sugar. Let the chicken soak up these bold flavours before skewering it with the halloumi. Serve with grilled pineapple slices.
If you’re looking for more dinner recipe inspiration, check out these meals:
Chicken Thighs with Chimichurri Sauce
Baked Halloumi with Tomato Sauce
Buttery Chicken Kyiv
Chicken with Harissa Carrots and Flatbreads
Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken:
500g chicken thighs
2 tablespoons soya sauce
1 lime (juice)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/3 teaspoon ginger
1/3 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon lemon pepper (I used this one)
Salt
Skewers:
1 block halloumi cheese
2 peppers
12 cherry tomatoes
Method
Prepare the chicken:
- Cut the chicken thighs into small cubes.
- In a small bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients for the chicken.
- Coat the chicken pieces in the marinade. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or overnight).
Prepare the skewers:
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 10 minutes (this will prevent them from burning in the oven).
- Assemble the skewers by alternating pieces of marinated chicken, halloumi cheese, peppers, and cherry tomatoes onto the soaked wooden skewers.
- Place the skewers on a baking dish and bake them in the oven for 30 minutes.
- Serve the chicken and halloumi skewers with salad, pita bread, or rice.
