Smoky Chicken Skewer Bowl (Printable Format)

Grilled smoky chicken skewers with brown rice, black beans, fresh vegetables and tangy yogurt-lime sauce.

# What You Need:

→ Smoky Chicken Skewers

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
07 - 1 tsp salt
08 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
09 - Juice of 1 lime
10 - Bamboo or metal skewers

→ Bowl Base

11 - 2 cups cooked brown rice (or quinoa for lower carb option)
12 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
13 - 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)

→ Fresh Toppings

14 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
15 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
16 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
17 - 1 avocado, sliced
18 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
19 - Lime wedges, for serving

→ Zesty Yogurt Sauce

20 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
21 - 1 tbsp lime juice
22 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
23 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, chipotle chili powder, salt, pepper, and lime juice. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes.
02 - Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto bamboo or metal skewers, leaving a small gap between pieces for even cooking.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill skewers for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until chicken is cooked through and slightly charred. Set aside to rest.
04 - In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, lime juice, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and well blended.
05 - Divide the cooked brown rice, black beans, and corn evenly among 4 bowls. Top each with grilled chicken skewers, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, avocado, and fresh cilantro.
06 - Drizzle each bowl generously with the zesty yogurt sauce and serve alongside lime wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The smoky char on the chicken pairs beautifully with the cool, creamy yogurt sauce in a way that feels restaurant worthy but takes barely any effort.
  • Everything cooks in under half an hour, making this one of the most satisfying weeknight meals you will ever pull off without breaking a sweat.
02 -
  • Do not skip the marinating time because those 15 minutes are when the smoked paprika and chipotle actually penetrate the chicken and create the depth this bowl depends on.
  • If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes or they will burn and leave a bitter taste on your chicken that no sauce can fix.
03 -
  • Let the chicken rest for two minutes after grilling before sliding it off the skewers so the juices redistribute instead of running out onto your cutting board.
  • Doubling the yogurt sauce is never a mistake because you will want to drizzle it on everything from roasted vegetables to sandwiches the next day.

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