Grilled Chicken With Aleppo pepper (BA Recipe- Excellent)

Ingredients

Chicken skewers with aleppo pepper (blue ribbon bon appetit) (Excellent)

***marinate longer overnight +

(I doubled recipe - up to 5 lbs chicken)

1 1/2 tablespoons Aleppo pepper, plus additional for sprinkling on skewers BEFORE grilling (see below for substitution)

1 cup plain whole-milk Greek-style yogurt** (i used 2%)

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

6 garlic cloves, peeled, flattened

2 unpeeled lemons; 1 thinly sliced into rounds, 1 cut into wedges for serving

2 1/4 pounds skinless boneless chicken (thighs and/or breast halves), cut into 1 1/4-inch cubes

Substitution:

dried crushed red pepper plus 2 teaspoons Hungarian sweet paprika), plus additional paprika for sprinkling

- (If using dried crushed red pepper and paprika combination, place in large bowl and stir in 2 tablespoons warm water and let stand until paste forms, about 5 minutes)

Special equipment:

Flat metal skewers

Directions

preparation

If using Aleppo pepper, place in large bowl and mix in 1 tablespoon warm water. Let stand until thick paste forms, about 5 minutes. (See above if using sub'n). Add yogurt, olive oil, red wine vinegar, tomato paste, 2 teaspoons coarse salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper to spice mixture in bowl; whisk to blend. Stir in garlic and lemon slices, then chicken. Cover and chill at least 1 hour (much longer is better, per reviews- 6 hrs was excellent). Do ahead: Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Thread chicken pieces on metal skewers, dividing equally. Discard marinade in bowl. ***Sprinkle each skewer with salt, pepper, and additional Aleppo pepper or paprika. Brush grill rack with oil. Grill chicken until golden brown and cooked through, turning skewers occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes total. Transfer skewers to platter. Surround with lemon wedges and serve.

*A slightly sweet Syrian pepper with a moderate heat level; available at some specialty foods stores and from wholespice.com.

Ingredient tip:

Aleppo pepper is sold finely ground or crushed into small flakes; either one will work well in this recipe.

Notes

*A slightly sweet Syrian pepper with a moderate heat level; available at some specialty foods stores and from wholespice.com.

Ingredient tip:

Aleppo pepper is sold finely ground or crushed into small flakes; either one will work well in this recipe.