These ground chicken holiday kebabs are perfect to serve as an Indian chicken appetizer at gatherings!
If you’re looking for a flavorful appetizer, then give this ground chicken recipe a try! Indian spiced chicken kebabs made into small bite-sized portions and then tossed in festive colors are always a great hit!
Perfect for Diwali, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Game Day!
Want more ground chicken recipes? Give my Indian Chicken Kheema Recipe a try!
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Substitutions
- Tips
- Pair it with…
- Recipe FAQ
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Community
Ingredients
Kebab Ingredients
- ground chicken - minced chicken
- garlic
- ginger
- chili peppers (jalapeno, serrano, Thai)
- cilantro
- dried onions
- egg (optional)
- turmeric powder (or freshly grated)
- salt, oil
Coating Ingredients
- cilantro - finely chopped
- onion - any kind you prefer
- bell peppers - colors can vary based on preference. I like to use holiday colors that correlate (red and green for Christmas, orange and green for Halloween, etc)
- chili peppers - I prefer to use serrano or Thai chili peppers for this but you can use a spicier version or skip it.
Instructions
Combine the kebab ingredients and let the mixture marinate for a few hours or overnight.
Chop the vegetables of choice very finely.
Form the kebabs into 3" logs and then roll them in the chopped vegetables. Bake or cook them on a grill until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Remove from the oven and enjoy warm.
Substitutions
Turmeric Powder - Use fresh turmeric instead.
Ground Chicken - Use ground lamb instead or ground turkey (add 3 tablespoon of butter to each pound of turkey for moist results)
Tips
- Coarse ground coriander can be added to the recipe.
- Whole cumin seeds can also be added to the recipe.
- Egg is optional.
- Grilling over an open flame or a griddle is a great cooking option if you choose not to bake.
- Traditionally eaten with a yogurt sauce. So enjoy them with a creamy cilantro , mint, or a buttermilk ranch sauce .
Pair it with…
- masala rice
- roti
- papad
- or other appetizers
Other Chicken Recipes
- Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken
- Chicken Keema Tacos
- Desi Gravy Chicken Recipe - Tapelu Chicken
- Air Fried Frozen Chicken Nuggets
I call these Seekh Kebabs “Holiday Kebabs” because the colors are super festive! It truly is an easy ground chicken kebab recipe. You can coordinate according to any forthcoming holiday such as Diwali, Valentines Day, Christmas, Halloween, etc.
Extra 🌶 peppers! I love the additional spice and flavors that come with additions of non traditional ingredients.
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & consider leaving a comment as well. I would greatly appreciate it!
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📖 Recipe
Holiday Chicken Kebabs
Ingredients
KEBABS
- ▢ 1 lb ground chicken
- ▢ 1 tbsb fresh grated garlic
- ▢ 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- ▢ green chili peppers (jalapeno, serrano, Thai), blended
- ▢ ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- ▢ ¼ cup dried chopped onions
- ▢ 1 egg (optional)
- ▢ ½ teaspoon turmeric powder (or freshly grated)
- ▢ salt
- ▢ oil
TOPPINGS
- ▢ ½ bunch cilantro, finely chopped
- ▢ ¼ cup onion, finely diced (red, yellow, or white)
- ▢ ½ cup bell pepper, finely diced (colors can vary)
- ▢ chili peppers, finely chopped (my favorite)
Instructions
TOPPINGS
- Combine the peppers, chillies, onion, and cilantro in one bowl.
- Set it aside.
KEBABS
- Combine all of the kebab ingredients together and marinate between 30 minutes-2 days in the refrigerator. Marinating for a longer period of time can make the meat taste more flavorful.
- Thirty minutes before cooking, remove the mixture from the refrigerator.
- Oil your hands and begin to make even sized kebabs. You can use also use skewers
- Place them aside until all of the kebabs have been formed.
BAKING METHOD
- Heat oven to 375 degrees.
- Use an oven safe pan and put enough water in the bottom to cover the entire surface but not touch the grill pan above (this is optional but helps with cleaning and keeps the kebabs moist).
- Place the wire rack back on top of the pan.
- Oil your hands again, take each kebab, and roll it in the pepper mixture.
- Slightly press the mixture into the kebab so it embeds into the meat.
- Place the kebab on the rack making sure it is oiled all around.
- Bake for about 30 minutes. Timing will vary based on the size of the kebabs, but cook until the center reaches 165 degrees.
- Enjoy with raita, sauces, or chutney.
GRIDDLE PAN METHOD
- After forming the kebabs heat a griddle to medium high heat.
- Cook the kebabs until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- Serve with a dipping suace of choice.
AIR FRYER OPTION
- The kebabs can be air fried at 375 degrees for about 12 minutes (depends on size).
- Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Notes
- Coarse ground coriander can be added to the recipe.
- Egg is optional but can make the kebabs juicier.
- Grilling over an open flame or a griddle is a great cooking option as well.
- Traditionally eaten with a yogurt sauce like cilantro raita
Holiday Chicken Kebabs
Ingredients
KEBABS
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 tbsb fresh grated garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- green chili peppers (jalapeno, serrano, Thai), blended
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup dried chopped onions
- 1 egg (optional)
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder (or freshly grated)
- salt
- oil
TOPPINGS
- ½ bunch cilantro, finely chopped
- ¼ cup onion, finely diced (red, yellow, or white)
- ½ cup bell pepper, finely diced (colors can vary)
- chili peppers, finely chopped (my favorite)
Instructions
TOPPINGS
- Combine the peppers, chillies, onion, and cilantro in one bowl.
- Set it aside.
KEBABS
- Combine all of the kebab ingredients together and marinate between 30 minutes-2 days in the refrigerator. Marinating for a longer period of time can make the meat taste more flavorful.
- Thirty minutes before cooking, remove the mixture from the refrigerator.
- Oil your hands and begin to make even sized kebabs. You can use also use skewers
- Place them aside until all of the kebabs have been formed.
BAKING METHOD
- Heat oven to 375 degrees.
- Use an oven safe pan and put enough water in the bottom to cover the entire surface but not touch the grill pan above (this is optional but helps with cleaning and keeps the kebabs moist).
- Place the wire rack back on top of the pan.
- Oil your hands again, take each kebab, and roll it in the pepper mixture.
- Slightly press the mixture into the kebab so it embeds into the meat.
- Place the kebab on the rack making sure it is oiled all around.
- Bake for about 30 minutes. Timing will vary based on the size of the kebabs, but cook until the center reaches 165 degrees.
- Enjoy with raita, sauces, or chutney.
GRIDDLE PAN METHOD
- After forming the kebabs heat a griddle to medium high heat.
- Cook the kebabs until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- Serve with a dipping suace of choice.
AIR FRYER OPTION
- The kebabs can be air fried at 375 degrees for about 12 minutes (depends on size).
- Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Notes
- Coarse ground coriander can be added to the recipe.
- Egg is optional but can make the kebabs juicier.
- Grilling over an open flame or a griddle is a great cooking option as well.
- Traditionally eaten with a yogurt sauce like cilantro raita
Recipe Courtesy of The Curry Mommy
This Indian Spiced Pizza is made with Chicken Kheema and Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Keep this one on repeat! desi pizza is deliciously spiced with mozzarella, spices, and vegetables. Paired with a Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Pizza Crust that gives it a crisp outcome.
Add extra spices and serve it as an appetizer or enjoy it for dinner with your favorite drink!
- Why You’ll Love it!
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Top Tips
- Storage
- Why Pick Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Pizza Crust
- 📖 Recipe
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Community
Why You’ll Love it!
This clean Indian meal is making me drool as I type! Since Indian Chicken Kheema Pizza takes minutes to make with meal-prepped chicken kheema and Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Pizza Crust it’s a winner meal!
Chicken Kheema
Ingredients
- Kheema (recipe below) - I like to make extra kheema every time so recipes like this can be made throughout the week.
- Fresh chopped cilantro
- Onion, diced
- Chili Peppers , diced
- Shredded Mozarella Cheese
- Pizza crust of choice
Instructions
- Prep the pizza crust per packaged instructions. I like to bake the crust before adding the toppings to give it more of a crisp.
- Layer on chicken kheema, shredded mozarella cheese, cilantro, onions, and chili peppers.
- Bake until the cheese is melted and crust is crisp.
- Slice and enjoy!
Top Tips
- Bake the crust until almost crisp, then add the toppings, and finally bake it again until cheese is melted
- Use a thin pizza crust instead of cauliflower crust
- Add cilantro and chili peppers!
Storage
- If using cauliflower crust, this pizza does not store for more than an hour without getting chewy or soggy.
- Party Idea - Use regular pizza crust such as my green pizza crust or 00 Flour.
Why Pick Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Pizza Crust
I buy a cauliflower pizza crust from the freezer section to make life a bit easier. Honestly, I have tried multiple different brands and they all seem to have lived up to my expectations of a crispy crust thus far, but I seem to keep buying the Trader Joe’s version because of convenience.
📖 Recipe
Kheema Pizza
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 large pizza crust (I prefer cauliflower crust)
- ▢ 1.5 cups kheema
- ▢ 1 cup finely shredded mozarella cheese
- ▢ ¼ cup diced onion
- ▢ ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
- ▢ chopped chili peppers
Instructions
- Prep the pizza crust.
- Layer the chicken kheema onto the crust.
- Spread the mozarella cheese evenly on the pizza
- Top with cilantro, onions, and chili peppers.
- Bake until the cheese is melted and the crust is cooked through.
Nutrition
📖 Recipe
Indian Chicken Kheema Recipe
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 lb ground chicken
- ▢ 1 tablespoon ginger, fresh and grated
- ▢ 1 tablespoon garlic, fresh and minced
- ▢ 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- ▢ 2 tablespoon coriander powder
- ▢ 1-2 tablespoon garam masala
- ▢ 1 large onion, finely chopped, grated, or food processed
- ▢ 1 large beefsteak tomato, finely chopped
- ▢ 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ▢ ½ cup water (optional but can help mince the meat if that is the texture preferred)
- ▢ oil
- ▢ salt
- ▢ red chili powder
- ▢ chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Heat pan on medium heat and add oil. Once hot add finely chopped onions and saute until golden brown.
- Once the onions have slightly browned add the tomatoes, garlic, ginger, garam masala, tomato paste, salt, coriander powder, some chopped cilantro (optional), and turmeric.
- Allow the mixture to cook for about 3-5 minutes. At this point you can use a hand blender and puree the mixture if you would like. Then add the chicken. SIDE NOTE: I like to mix the ground chicken to remove the “stringed” meat look before cooking.
- Add water (optional). Using a spatula or a ground meat masher, begin to mash and mix the chicken with the tomato and onion mixture. TIP : flatten/squeeze the meat at the bottom of the pan while mixing if you do not have a meat masher. This will prevent the meat from bulking into large clumps.
- Continue to mix frequently for an additional 7-10 minutes on medium heat.
- Once all of the natural water has evaporated, cook for a few additional minutes so that the oil shines through.
- Garnish with the rest of the cilantro and serve.
- Enjoy as a taco stuffing, with wraps, as is with naan, or on top of pizza.
Nutrition
Want to keep the gluten but add more veggies? Then check out my Green Pizza Crust ! It is packed with greens and sure to be on repeat once you taste it.
I hope you enjoy this Indian Chicken Kheema Recipe as much as we do! Let me know what you think. I love hearing from you.
