Sassy Sambal Chicken Kabobs
SHOW OFF AN ATTITUDE
I’m not the best scheduler ever. I don’t know why. Is it because I’m naturally a born islander (?) – mothered by a super punctual, ‘right on the dot’ woman — who made me care less about organizing my days? I’m not sure, there’s that constant battle of nature vs nurture. Maybe I just don’t like to see a list of things on my day planner. Or may I say iCalendar. One word: Restricting. Therefore, I have Eric – the master organizer, super punctual, always-on-the dot guy. It sure is weird that I somewhat married my mom? Well, it’s proven time and time again, that I need to be managed and supervised by an adult… Sad.
I don’t know how I forgot that “I” scheduled our son Nate’s old basketball coach Drew and his sidekick-meet-son, Cam and a couple other friends over for dinner. On a Monday evening! Who really entertains on a weeknight? I guess me. Us… I guess us (sorry, Eric.)
So, scrambling to put together a menu on Sunday evening, (the time when I need to put my mind on idle) I came up with one very simple plan. Chicken, plenty of it, and rice. Okay, I should throw in some kind of veggies. Some easy kind of veggies: Slaw. After all, those guys are focusing more on the protein anyway. Good, simple plan.
Chicken kabobs look somewhat more dressed up than just some chicken breast thrown on a grill tray. Manipulating the look of an otherwise very easy poultry meal. I like that! But, let’s forget about the overdone, in-the-box kabobs. You know, the line of sequential green and vegetable pieces pierced in between, which may be pushed aside by the three male teenagers anyway. Well, at least two. Nate for sure eats EVERYTHING!
Easy weeknight, summer entertaining. These kabobs, my friend, have an attitude. They’re sticky, they’re sassy, they’re spicy with a bit of tang. They’re addicting. You can’t stop with just one skewer full of chicken cubes. Your mouth would beg for more.
Now, if you had lost the confidence to schedule dinner during the week, or you accidentally schedule entertaining friends on some random weeknight because you’re a poor social coordinator, don’t fret. This dish is your solution.
You’re welcome.
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup honey
- 1 cup rice vinegar
- ½ cup sambal oelek
- ½ cup fish sauce
- ½ cup Sriracha
- 1¼ teaspoon finely grated peeled ginger
- 3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1½-inch to 2-inch pieces
- If you’re using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least an hour.
- Prepare grill for medium-high heat.
- Whisk sugar, honey, vinegar, sambal oelek, fish sauce, Sriracha, and ginger in a bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat. Thread 5 chicken pieces onto each skewer.
- Transfer the marinade to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until reduced by half.
- Grill chicken, turning and basting often with reduced marinade, until cooked through.
