Chicken Seekh Kebab (Kabab)

Name: Chicken Seekh Kebab (Kabab)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground chicken (see notes for substitutions); ½ cup shallot (finely chopped (1 medium)); 1 serrano chili, finely chopped (de-seeded for mild heat); 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste ((3 cloves of garlic + ½ inch ginger)); ¼ cup chopped cilantro; ½ cup carrot (finely shredded- Optional); 1 tablespoon garam masala; 1 teaspoon Kashmiri Red Chili powder (or paprika for mild flavor); 1 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoon lime juice (fresh); 1 tablespoon olive oil (+ 2 tablespoons for forming kebabs); 8 bamboo skewers (soaked in water for 10 minutes)

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Chicken Seekh Kebab, or Kabab, are juicy, flavorful ground meat croquettes that are popular street food in India. In this easy 30-minute recipe, ground meat is seasoned with herbs, warm spices, and aromatics, then skewered and grilled to perfection in the air fryer or oven.

Enjoy these kebabs with cilantro or mint chutney for an irresistible appetizer, or wrap it up in Naan for a delicious meal.

Skewers on chicken kebab on metal plates

My husband loves kebabs of all shapes and kinds! But this Chicken Seekh Kebab is his absolute favorite. It is full of flavor from the herbs and Indian spices, plus it has a melt-in-mouth texture with perfectly grilled skin.

These kababs are pretty easy to put together with easily available ingredients, including lean ground chicken (or turkey), everyday Indian spices, and fresh cilantro.

Sometimes, I use a secret 'mommy hack' to make these chicken kebabs healthier. I add finely shredded carrots to the ground meat mix. This not only adds some veggies to the kebabs but also keeps them moist and adds a hint of sweetness to balance the heat of the garam masala.

We enjoy these chicken kebabs as an appetizer with green chutney, or roll them up in a pita or naan for a hearty chicken kebab wrap. Hubby and I pair it with Indian-flavored Cauliflower rice, chutney, and a side of garden salad for a low-carb meal.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This crowd pleaser is ready in under 30 minutes!
In addition to being quick and easy, it is also healthy. This kebab is made with lean ground chicken which is much lower in fat and calories as compared to ground red meat.
This recipe is versatile enough to be used as an appetizer and can easily be converted to a satisfying meal.

5 skewers of kebab with a side of green chutney

Ingredients- Notes & Substitutions

Ingredients for making Chicken Seekh Kebab

Ground Chicken: I buy pre-ground chicken from my nearest supermarket for convenience. If you cannot find it, you can grind boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs (or a combination), in your food processor until you reach a semi-coarse consistency. Alternatively, ground turkey can be used in this recipe.
Shallots & Serrano Chili: Shallots add a mild and sweet onion flavor here. But you can also use white or yellow onion. As for Serrano chili, de-seed it for a milder flavor. Alternatively, Jalapeno pepper can be used.
Ginger & Garlic: I always have homemade ginger-garlic paste in the fridge, but you can grind 3 cloves of garlic and about ½-inch piece of peeled ginger for this quantity.
Spices: All we need is garam masala, paprika and salt to flavor these kebabs. You can make your own garam masala using this recipe, or buy it from your nearest international food store or online.
Lime juice: A couple of teaspoons of fresh lime juice adds just enough acidity needed to lift all the flavors.
Olive oil: Any neutral oil like olive, avocado or canola will work here.
Carrots: This is an optional and an untraditional ingredient. It keeps the kebabs moist and is a great way to sneak in some vegetables. And since we're using a small quantity you can't really tell there's carrots in these kebabs. That being said, it is optional, if you don't care for it, feel free to skip it.

Bamboo Skewer Tip: Soak the bamboo skewers for 10 minutes, at least 30 minutes prior to broiling or grilling time. If you forget to do so, which I do most of the time, just wrap the exposed ends with some aluminum foil.

How to Make Chicken Seekh Kebab

In a small food processor, add peeled ginger, garlic cloves, shallot chunks (or onion), Serrano chili and cilantro. Pulse it until everything gets minced. Note: Don't puree it. (pic 1)
Add it to a large mixing bowl along with ground chicken and shredded carrots (if using). Add salt, garam masala, paprika, olive oil and lime juice. Mix well. (pic 2)
Roughly divide the mixture evenly into 8 portions. Use food grade gloves for a mess-free process of making kebabs. (pic 3)
Pour 2 tablespoons of oil in a small bowl. Wet your palms with oil, take one portion of the chicken mixture and roll it into an oblong or cylindrical shape by gently pressing it together. (pic 4)

Image grid showing first 4 steps chicken seekh kebab

Thread a skewer through the spiced chicken mix. Place the skewers on a plate and keep forming kebabs. (pic 5)
Preheat air fryer at 400°F for 2 minutes. Place the skewers in the fryer basket leaving ½-inch gap between them. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the kebabs turn light brown and cook through. If using a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should read 165°F or higher. (pic 6)
If cooking in the oven, turn it on "Hi Broil" mode. Place the kebab skewers on a lined baking sheet. Place the sheet on the top rack. Broil the kebabs for 6-7 minutes on the first side. Flip them and cook for another 3-4 minutes, until they cook through. (pic 7)
Rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with the Cilantro chutney as an appetizer or wrap it up in a paratha. For a low-carb meal, pair with a garden salad. (pic 8)

Image grid showing last four steps for making chicken seekh kebab

Kebab Binding Tip: If the meat is not sticking together and falling apart, add a whisked egg or 1-2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs to bind the mixture well.

Serving Suggestions

Let's take a look at how to eat Chicken Seekh Kebab:

Appetizer: Serve as an appetizer with a side of Cilantro Jalapeno Sauce, Mint chutney or Cilantro Chutney.

Make it a meal: You can also make a meal with these chicken kebabs by serving them with Garlic Naan or Saffron rice and a side of Cucumber raita (seasoned yoghurt dip). Add a simple green salad to the meal and enjoy a healthy, low-calorie and flavorful feast.

For a low-carb meal, pair it with Indian flavored Cauliflower rice, chutney and a side of garden salad.

Chicken seekh kebab on a flatbread smeared with chutney

Recipe Tips & Notes

To prevent the meat from falling off, ensure that you're using a lean ground meat. Also avoid any excess moisture while forming the kebabs.
For a healthier kebab, use lean ground chicken or turkey to make kebabs.
Soak the bamboo skewers for 10 minutes, at least 30 minutes prior to broiling or grilling time. If you forget to do so, just wrap the exposed ends with some aluminum foil.
Ground chicken can be substituted with an equal quantity of ground lamb, turkey or beef.
To serve as an appetizer, pair with cilantro chutney, mint chutney or cilantro jalapeno sauce, and some sliced onions.
To make a meal, wrap it up in naan or serve with Saffron rice along with green chutney and onions. For a low carb meal option, serve with Cauliflower rice, chutney and a green salad.
Adding carrot is optional, however it keeps the kebabs moist, adds a subtle sweetness to them and also makes them healthier, with added vegetables. If you wish you can skip it or substitute it with grated zucchini.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Seekh Kebab? What Does Seekh Mean?

Seekh kebab is a type made with ground or minced meat, seasoned with warm spices, aromatics, and herbs, and shaped into cylinders. It is then skewered and grilled.
'Seekh' means 'skewers', so this dish literally translates to 'kebabs on skewers'. Traditionally, they're grilled in a clay oven called Tandoor, but in modern cooking, these can be grilled on an outdoor grill, broiled in the oven, or cooked in an air fryer.

What is the Difference between Seekh Kebab and Shish Kebab

Seekh kebab refers to cylindrical patties made with seasoned ground meat grilled on a skewer. Shish kebab refers to seasoned cubes of meat, which are also typically threaded into a skewer, then grilled in a tandoor oven or outdoor grill.

Is chicken seekh kebab healthy?

Yes, since it's made with lean ground meat it is healthier and lower in calories as compared to red meat kebabs.

What is Seekh kebab made of? What is the best meat for kebabs?

Seekh kebab is a popular variety of kebabs available in North India. It is made with seasoned minced or ground meat, typically lamb, chicken, or beef, and formed into a cylindrical shape, threaded on metal skewers, and grilled.

How do you keep seekh kebabs from falling? Why do my kebabs fall apart?

Too much moisture or oil in the meat mixture can prevent the kebab mix from sticking together. To fix that, you could either add some breadcrumbs or cornflour or a whisked egg to bind it better.

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