🍢 Asian Ginger Chicken Skewers 🍢
What is it?
Asian Ginger Chicken Skewers are a delicious and flavorful dish that combines tender pieces of chicken marinated in a zesty ginger-based sauce. These skewers are typically grilled to perfection, resulting in a mouthwatering combination of savory, sweet, and slightly spicy flavors.
History:
The origin of this dish can be traced to Asian cuisine, particularly Southeast Asian and East Asian regions like Thailand, Vietnam, and China. These regions are known for their diverse and aromatic culinary traditions. Chicken skewers have been enjoyed for centuries, and the addition of ginger-based marinades reflects the use of fragrant spices and ingredients in Asian cooking.
Components:
- Chicken: Boneless chicken breasts or thighs are commonly used for this dish. They are cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Ginger Marinade: This flavorful marinade typically includes ginger, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and sometimes additional ingredients like lime juice, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
- Skewers: Wooden or metal skewers are used to thread the marinated chicken pieces for grilling.
- Optional Toppings: You can add sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and cilantro for garnish.
Steps to Prepare:
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Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, prepare the ginger marinade by combining minced ginger, minced garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and any other optional ingredients you like for extra flavor. Place the chicken pieces in a resealable bag or container and pour the marinade over them. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but ideally for a few hours or overnight for the best flavor.
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Prepare the Skewers: If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent them from burning during grilling. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers.
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Grill the Skewers: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Grill the skewers for about 5-7 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice char.
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Serve: Once cooked, remove the skewers from the grill. You can garnish them with sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and cilantro. Serve the skewers with a side of rice, noodles, or a fresh salad.
Time Needed:
- Marinating time: 30 minutes to several hours
- Preparation time: 15-20 minutes
- Grilling time: 10-15 minutes
In total, you can prepare these delicious Asian Ginger Chicken Skewers in approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, including marinating time. Enjoy this flavorful and aromatic dish with your favorite dipping sauce or side dishes! 🍽️👌🍢
🍢 Asian Ginger Chicken Skewers – Nutrition Facts and Health Information 🍢
Here are the approximate nutrition facts for a serving of Asian Ginger Chicken Skewers (about 2 skewers) along with some health information:
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
- Calories: Approximately 220-250 calories
- Protein: 20-25 grams
- Carbohydrates: 8-12 grams
- Fat: 10-12 grams
- Fiber: 1-2 grams
- Sugar: 6-8 grams
- Sodium: 600-800 mg (varies based on marinade ingredients)
- Cholesterol: 60-70 mg (varies based on chicken cut used)
- Iron: 1-2 mg
- Potassium: 300-400 mg
- Vitamin C: 2-6 mg
- Calcium: 20-30 mg
Health Information:
- Protein: Chicken is a great source of lean protein, which is essential for muscle growth and repair.
- Carbohydrates: The carbohydrates in this dish mainly come from the brown sugar in the marinade. These carbs provide a quick source of energy.
- Fat: The fat content comes from the sesame oil in the marinade. While it adds flavor, it’s a healthy fat source. Be mindful of portion sizes if you’re watching your fat intake.
- Sodium: Soy sauce is a common ingredient in the marinade and can be high in sodium. If you’re on a low-sodium diet, look for reduced-sodium soy sauce or use it sparingly.
- Vitamins and Minerals: This dish provides essential nutrients like iron for oxygen transport, potassium for heart health, and vitamin C for immunity.
- Calories: The total calorie count is relatively moderate, making it a good meal option, especially when paired with healthy sides.
Health Tip: To make this dish even healthier, consider using skinless chicken breast and reducing the sugar content in the marinade. You can also serve it with a side of steamed vegetables or a salad to increase the overall nutritional value of your meal.
Remember that the exact nutrition values can vary based on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used, so it’s a good practice to calculate the nutrition facts based on the exact recipe you follow, especially if you have specific dietary requirements or goals. 🥗🍗📊
