Lemon herb chicken skewers

Protein is the anchor of most plates on this way of eating, and after a while, plain chicken can use some brightness. These skewers bring flavor through garlic, fresh parsley, lemon, and ginger, built to work within Core AIP. They take a little planning, a couple of hours in a marinade, and then they bake largely on their own while you do something else. Make a double batch and you have lunches ready for days.

Chicken is a clean, complete protein, which supports muscle and the steady repair work your body is always doing. The marinade carries all the flavor here, built from garlic, fresh parsley, lemon, and ginger instead of the cumin, coriander, and black pepper a traditional version would use.

This is everyday food meant to be shared. Slide the chicken off the skewers onto a platter, set it in the middle of the table, and let people reach in.

Ingredients

• 1 small onion, chopped (omit if you are managing interstitial cystitis)
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (in place of the seed-spice blend a traditional shishlik uses, none of which are Core)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice (omit for low-histamine or interstitial cystitis)
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp onion powder (in place of the ground black pepper a traditional shishlik uses, which is a seed-spice and not Core; optional)
• 2 lb chicken breast, cubed

Method

Put the cubed chicken in a bowl with all the other ingredients. Toss to coat, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

If you are using bamboo skewers, soak them in water first so they do not scorch. Thread the chicken onto the skewers and lay them across a baking sheet.

Bake at 375F for 45 to 55 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.

Air fryer variation

These also work in an air fryer when you want them faster. Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers short enough to fit your basket, or simply air fry the cubes loose. Cook at about 375F, turning once, for roughly 12 to 16 minutes until cooked through. This time is an estimate and untested, so check the largest piece before serving.

*Adapted from a-clean-plate*