Grilled Pakistani Chicken Tikka Boti Kebab Recipe (2024)

Our delicious Pakistani Chicken Tikka Boti recipe produces succulent kebabs when grilled over a hot barbecue.

The popular dish from Northern India and Pakistan features chunks of chicken marinated in a spiced yogurt, which makes the meat very tender and flavourful.

The marinated chicken is then cooked on a barbecue grill until the exterior is crispy and interior is perfectly moist and tender.

Serve Pakistani Chicken Tikka Kebabs with steamed basmati rice or Indian flatbreads like naan or paratha.

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What Is Pakistani Chicken Tikka Boti?

Chicken Tikka Boti is a popular chicken dish in Pakistan and Northern India.

The dish is traditionally prepared with small pieces of boneless chicken thigh grilled usingskewersor over charcoal aftermarinatinginIndian spicesand yogurt. It’s essentially a boneless version oftandoori chicken.

So if the bone-in the version of tandoori chicken is called chicken tikka in Pakistan then what is the boneless chicken tikka version called? It’s referred to as Chicken Tikka Boti or Chicken Tikka Kabab on restaurant menus.

The wordtikkais a Persian word, meaning “bits” or “pieces”. The chunks of chicken are brushed withghee(clarified butter) to increase its flavour.

Pakistani Chicken Tikka Kebabs are traditionally served with cilantroortamarindchutneyalongside onion rings and lemon, or used in preparing an authenticchicken tikka masala.

A chickentikkasizzler is a dish where chickentikkaboti is served on a heated plate with onions.

If you love Pakistani Chicken Tikka Boti Kebab you may also enjoy a similar recipe Indian Chicken Boti Kebab.

Travel to India or Pakistan by Cooking Chicken Tikka Boti at Home

I love traveling through Asia.

My first visit to Asia had me living inSouth Koreafor a year as a teacher and it’s where I was first introduced tofermented vegetableslikekimchi.

After my contract ended in Seoul I travelled throughoutAsiafor 6 months, visitingthe Philippines,Indonesia,Malaysia,Singapore,Cambodia,Laos,Myanmar, Thailand,Vietnam,The MaldivesandIndia.

I spent over a month traveling through India. I started in the capital, eating my way through the bustling markets and fine dining restaurants inDelhi. I then embarked on a magical weekend getaway to awe-inspiring Taj Mahal inAgra. 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 ofKerala. The south is famous for its seafood, coconut, tropical fruits, and rice based side dishes like crispy dosa. The colonial capital ofCochinwas formerly run by thePortuguese. 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 cosmopolitanMumbai. The city is famous for its specialty street foods and fine dining restaurants at opulent luxury hotels.The Taj Mahal Palacein 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 inFrance,Germany,ItalyorSpain, each city in India had its own local speciality.

After you’ve traveled to Northern India or Pakistan, return home to prepare an authentic and fragrant feast for friends and family featuring this quick & easy Pakistani Chicken Tikka recipe!

My Family Loves Pakistani Chicken Tikka

My family loves trying traditional foods from different countries in Asia.

I really enjoy North Indian and Pakistani flavours so prepared this chicken tikka recipe at the cottage one day for lunch on a hot summer day.

I knew my family would enjoy this authentic Pakistani recipe because they love grilled chicken on the barbecue, easy cutlery free kebab recipes and flavour-packed South Indian dishes full of fragrant spices.

If you’ve traveled to India or Pakistan on holiday there is no better way to share your adventure at home with family and friends then by serving this crowd-pleasing Pakistani Chicken Tikka Boti recipe!

Health Benefits

Our healthy Pakistani Chicken Tikka Boti recipe is packed full of healthy ingredients!

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.

Rich in energy-boosting manganese, cinnamon is also antibacterial and may protect your brain against Alzheimer’s disease.

A good source of bone-strengthening vitamin K, cilantro is also rich in antioxidants that help protect the eyes from damage by free radicals.

Paprika is rich in vitamin A, capsaicin, and carotenoid antioxidants. These substances may help prevent inflammation and improve your cholesterol, eyehealth and blood sugar levels.

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.

Chili has been proven to help reduce the duration of sickness, prevent heart disease, and promote weight loss.

Beans are rich in cancer-fighting vitamin C, energy-boosting B vitamins, and gut-healthy fibre.

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.

Chicken is high in protein and provides B vitamins such as niacin, which helps your body access the energy in foods.

Pakistani Chicken Tikka Boti Recipe Ingredients

Many of the ingredients in traditional Pakistani Chicken Tikka can be found in your spice drawer or kitchen cupboards.

• Skinless Boneless Chicken Thighs
• Greek Yogurt
• Gram Chickpea Flour
• Garlic Cloves
• Fresh Ginger
• Green Chili
• Sweet Paprika
• Chili Powder
• Garam Masala
• Ground Coriander
• Ground Cinnamon
• PinchSaffron
• Lemon Juice
• Melted Butterfor basting

How To Make Grilled Pakistani Chicken Tikka

Our easy Pakistani recipe is the perfect dish to prepare when company is coming over for dinner during the summer barbecue grilling season.

We suggest marinating the tikka (chicken pieces) in the spiced yogurt mixture the day before so the meat can tenderize and soak up the flavours overnight.

1. Mix the yoghurt with the gram flour in a bowl to get rid of any lumps to form a thick paste like consistency. Add the ginger, garlic chilli paste, paprika, chilli powder, garam masala, coriander powder, ground cinnamon, saffron and salt. Stir well then add in the chicken pieces and mix, making sure to coat them in the thick marinade. Leave to marinate for a few hours or even overnight if you prefer.
2. Soak wooden skewers in water. Preheat the grill to medium. Shake off the excess marinade and thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers and place them on a wire rack. Cook on the grill for 15-20 minutes. Turn the skewers every 5 minutes and baste with melted butter until the juices run clear and they are cooked through slightly charred around the edges.
3. Serve hot sprinkled with lemon juice alongside steamed rice or flatbreads like naan, roti or parathas.

Cooking Tips

If it’s your first time making homemade Chicken Tikka Boti 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 chunks of chicken thigh in this recipe but you can substitute for chicken breasts. We prefer thigh meat as it has a higher fat content so when grilled on the barbecue it stays moist and flavourful. Breast meat can often get dry so be sure not to overcook.
• While our recipe uses kebab skewers you can also prepare this dish with bone-in chicken cuts. Popular versions include chicken legs, chicken thighs and chicken wings. Simply slather the meat in the marinade and grill on the barbecue until cooked through.
• We prepare the marinade using thick Greek-style yogurt. Feel free to use any variety of milk fat from 0-8%.
• If you’re looking for gram flour at the grocery store and can’t find it, note it is also called Chickpea Flour.
• Remove and discard the seeds from the green chili if you don’t like spicy food.
• We’ve used fresh lemon juice in this recipe but you can substitue with lime juice if you prefer.
• Baste the kebabs with melted butter or traditional ghee, a clarified butter used in South Asian cuisine.
• If you are looking to make this recipe during the cold winter months when your barbecue is not in use, or simply don’t have a grill at home, feel free to roast the kebabs on a baking sheet in a very hot 450 C oven. Half way through baking the kebabs, rotate the skewers so the chicken gets crispy on all sides. You can turn on the broiler for the last 5 minutes of cooking to help scorch the kebab exteriors. The recipe also works in an Air Fryer.
• You can marinate tikka and store it in the freezer for up to one month.Simply defrost the frozen raw chicken by placing it in the fridge a night ahead and then place it on the kitchen counter 2-3 hours before cooking so the meat fully thaws.

Serving Suggestions

The healthy recipe can 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 Pakistani Chicken Tikka Kebabs alongside:

• Vegetarian Indian Grilled BBQ Paneer Kebabs
• Indian Vegetarian Creamy Corn Black Bean Curry
• Chilli Paneer Gravy Restaurant Style Masala
• 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

Storage Suggestions

If you have leftover Chicken Tikka Boti we suggest removing the meat from the skewer and storing the chunks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

You can reheat the chicken in a microwave or oven the following day for lunch or dinner, or serve it cold with fresh salads. We also love to stuff Pakistani Chicken Tikka into naan or paratha rolls/wraps for a quick cutlery-free meal.

You can also add leftover chicken tikka into a creamy curry.

How To Make Our Easy Pakistani Chicken Tikka Boti Recipe

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