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Harissa chicken skewers with watermelon salad

‘Fresh, colourful and absolutely bursting with flavour—the whole platter disappeared before the sun went down!’

This is the sort of food made for a long, hot weekend with friends: platters in the middle of the table, cold drinks within reach and no reason to hurry. The chicken is smoky and gently spicy rather than fiery, while ripe peaches and watermelon bring plenty of refreshing sweetness. Barberries add jewel-like bursts of sharpness, and the whipped feta dressing ties everything together with a cool, creamy finish.

If the sunshine disappears at the last moment, don’t worry—the skewers are just as delicious cooked on a griddle or beneath the grill.

Serves 6

Preparation time: 30 minutes, plus at least 30 minutes marinating

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Total active time: 45 minutes

Total time including minimum marinating: 1 hour 15 minutes

For the harissa chicken skewers:

900g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp Greenfields Harissa Spice

1 tsp Greenfields Aleppo Chilli

1 tsp Greenfields Ground Cumin

1 tsp Greenfields Ground Coriander

2 tbsp finely chopped Greenfields Preserved Lemon rind

2 garlic cloves, finely grated

Juice of 1 lemon

½ tsp Greenfields Himalayan Pink Salt (Fine)

For the sunshine salad:

600g seedless watermelon flesh, cut into chunks

3 ripe but firm peaches, cut into wedges

1 yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into wide strips

250g cherry tomatoes, halved

1 small red onion, very thinly sliced

3 wholemeal pittas

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp Greenfields Sumac

20g Greenfields Barberries (Zirishk)

20g fresh mint leaves

20g fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped

For the whipped feta dressing:

200g feta

150g Greek yoghurt

1 tbsp Greenfields Greek Thyme Honey

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp Greenfields Orange Blossom Water

1 tbsp olive oil

2–3 tbsp cold water

For finishing:

2 tbsp Greenfields Dukkah

1 tsp Greenfields Sumac

A small pinch of Greenfields Aleppo Chilli

Fresh mint leaves

Lemon wedges

Step 1: Put the chicken in a large bowl. Add the olive oil, Harissa Spice, Aleppo Chilli, cumin, coriander, preserved lemon, garlic, lemon juice and salt. Mix thoroughly, cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or for up to 8 hours.

Step 2: If using wooden skewers, soak them in cold water for 30 minutes. Heat the barbecue until the coals are glowing and any flames have died down. Alternatively, heat a griddle pan or grill to medium-high.

Step 3: Brush the pittas, peach wedges and yellow pepper with a little of the salad olive oil. Toast the pittas for 1–2 minutes on each side until crisp and lightly charred. Grill the peaches and pepper for approximately 2 minutes on each side, just until marked but still holding their shape.

Step 4: Thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers. Cook for 10–12 minutes, turning regularly, until attractively charred and completely cooked through. The thickest pieces should have no pink remaining and reach 75°C in the centre.

Step 5: While the chicken cooks, make the dressing. Blend or whisk the feta, yoghurt, honey, lemon juice, orange blossom water and olive oil until creamy. Add enough cold water to produce a thick but spoonable consistency.

Step 6: Break the toasted pittas into pieces. Arrange them on a large platter with the watermelon, grilled peaches, grilled pepper, tomatoes, red onion, barberries, mint and parsley. Sprinkle over the Sumac and gently toss.

Step 7: Spoon some of the whipped feta dressing across the salad and place the hot chicken skewers on top. Finish with Dukkah, Sumac, Aleppo Chilli and fresh mint. Serve immediately with the remaining dressing and lemon wedges.

Chicken thighs remain succulent over the intense heat of a barbecue and are more forgiving than chicken breast. For the crispest salad, prepare all the components ahead but add the toasted pitta, dressing and hot skewers immediately before serving. Soaking the sliced red onion in iced water for 10 minutes will soften its sharpness while preserving its colour and crunch. Barberries have a lively sweet-sour flavour. If they feel particularly dry, soak them in warm water for five minutes, then drain and pat dry. Orange blossom water is powerful, so measure it carefully. One teaspoon gives the feta a delicate floral lift without making it taste perfumed. To make the meal vegetarian, replace the chicken with two 225g blocks of halloumi and large chunks of courgette. Reduce the added salt because halloumi is naturally salty.

Approximate values per portion: 590 kcal, 38g protein, 48g carbohydrate, 27g fat, 8g saturated fat, 6g fibre, 19g sugars and 1.8g salt.

Values will vary according to the bread, feta and exact amount of dressing served.

 

In this recipe:

Middle Eastern

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS?

Sunshine-loving hosts, adventurous barbecue cooks and anyone who enjoys vibrant Middle Eastern flavours without wanting a heavy meal. It is particularly lovely for friends who adore sweet-and-savoury combinations and colourful sharing food.

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