Garlicky Grilled Lemon Shrimp and Chicken Skewers
Can’t decide between shrimp and chicken? Now you don’t need to. These simple and delicious garlicky lemon skewers use the same marinade for both the jumbo shrimp and the chunks of boneless skinless chicken. Start the chicken before the shrimp as they will take double the time to cook.
Ingredients
6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (juice of 2 large lemons)
½ cup best-quality extra-virgin olive oil
Zest of large lemon
16 garlic cloves, mashed
1 ½ teaspoons Kosher salt
Pinch of red pepper flakes
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch pieces
15 jumbo shrimp, peeled tails on (about 1 pound)
Bamboo skewers, soaked in water
Methods/steps
Grilling Method: Direct/Medium Heat
Marinade: In a small non-reactive bowl, whisk lemon juice and oil together until blended. Add lemon zest and set aside. Meanwhile, mash garlic cloves and salt together in a mortar and pestle or with the back of a fork in a shallow bowl to form a thick paste. Add paste and red pepper flakes to lemon juice and oil mixture and mix well. Let sit for 10 minutes for the flavors to mature.
Meanwhile, prepare the shrimp. If frozen, thaw in cold running water just before cooking. Blot dry. Place in a re-sealable plastic bag and pour marinade over shrimp. Add chicken pieces. Seal the bad and massage to coat each piece evenly. Place in the refrigerator for 1-3 hours. Just before cooking, skewer shrimp and chicken on separate skewers by inserting bamboo skewers on either side of meat so they resemble the rungs of a ladder. You will end up with a total of six skewers, three for chicken and three for shrimp. Place on a clean tray and cover with plastic wrap.
When ready to cook, place chicken skewers on the grill first directly over the heat. Cook for 5 minutes, and turn skewers over to grill for another 5 minutes. At this point, add the shrimp skewers to the cooking grate. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side, turning once halfway through cooking, or until pink, marked and cooked through. Remove both chicken and shrimp skewers from the grill and place on a clean tray. Eat immediately.
Skewer Tip: Freeze extra soaked bamboo skewers in foil or a re-sealable plastic bag so they'll be ready at a moment's notice.
ALL RECIPES ©ELIZABETH KARMEL 2020