Sheet Pan Dinner: Yogurt-Spiced Chicken and Preserved Lemon Skewers

Every day this week, we’re featuring a new sheet pan dinner that promises hands-off cooking and easy cleanup. Today’s recipe: yogurt-spiced chicken and preserved lemon skewers with asparagus spears.

In this easy dish, skewered chicken cubes and asparagus are cooked on the same baking sheet, making prep and cleanup a breeze. If you can’t find preserved lemons in the specialty foods aisle of your grocery store, simply roast slices of raw lemons alongside the chicken. For this recipe you will need 8 to 10 wooden skewers, each 7 inches (18 cm) or longer and soaked in water for at least an hour before using.

Yogurt-Spiced Chicken and Preserved Lemon Skewers

3/4 cup (6 oz./185 g) plain whole-milk yogurt

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. ground turmeric

1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

1/2 tsp. saffron threads

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 1/2 lb. (750 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 1/2 lb. (750 g) asparagus, ends trimmed

2 Tbs. olive oil

2 preserved lemons, drained, preserving liquid reserved

In a large, nonreactive bowl, stir together the yogurt, cumin, turmeric, paprika, saffron, cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.

Cut the chicken into 1 1/2-inch (4-cm) cubes. Add the chicken to the bowl and toss to coat well. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

Preheat an oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

In a large bowl, toss the asparagus with the olive oil and the reserved preserved lemon liquid (about 1 Tbs.). Set aside. Cut the lemons into 1-inch (2.5-cm) pieces.

Drain the skewers and thread them with chicken and lemons. Place the skewers in a single layer on half of the baking sheet. Bake until the chicken is opaque throughout, about 15 minutes. Using tongs, flip the skewers over. Spread the asparagus in a single layer next to the skewers on the baking sheet. Cook until the chicken is roasted throughout and the asparagus is fork-tender, about 12 minutes. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

Find ways to make hectic suppers into fun, relaxed gatherings that
the whole family can enjoy in our cookbook School Night, by Kate McMillan.