Suya-Spiced Grilled Chicken Skewers with Cucumber-Mint Yogurt
West African suya-spiced chicken skewers with a cooling cucumber-mint yogurt dip, lean and low in sodium.
Suya's signature crust comes from ground peanuts and a warm blend of paprika, ginger, and cayenne, and it turns out that same spice mix works beautifully on lean, skewered chicken breast with almost none of the salt a street-vendor version might carry. A cool cucumber-mint yogurt on the side balances the heat and adds a creamy finish without reaching for a heavier sauce.
This dish is built for a heart-conscious plate: chicken breast keeps saturated fat low, the peanuts are unsalted, and the spice blend leans on paprika, ginger, and cayenne rather than salt for its punch. Low-fat yogurt in the dip adds calcium and protein while keeping things light, and fresh cucumber contributes potassium and crunch.
Thread the skewers loosely so the chicken cooks evenly, and let them marinate even briefly—the peanut spice clings best once the chicken has had a few minutes to absorb it.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1.25 lb boneless skinless chicken breast — cubed
- 3 tbsp ground roasted peanuts — unsalted
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
- 0.5 tsp ground ginger
- 0.25 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the cucumber-mint yogurt
- 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
- 0.5 cucumber — grated and squeezed dry
- 2 tbsp fresh mint — chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Most ingredients here are everyday market staples across West Africa. A handful of specialty items may be easiest to find at a local open-air market or an African grocery store if you're elsewhere.
Instructions
- 1Mix ground peanuts, paprika, cayenne, ginger, and garlic powder in a bowl to make the suya spice blend.
- 2Toss chicken cubes with olive oil and half the spice blend; thread onto skewers and let marinate 20 minutes.
- 3Grill or grill-pan over medium-high heat, 3-4 minutes per side, until cooked through and lightly charred.
- 4While the chicken cooks, stir together yogurt, grated cucumber, mint, lemon juice, and remaining spice blend for the dipping sauce.
- 5Serve hot skewers with the cucumber-mint yogurt on the side.