Suya Spice Chicken Kebabs (Skewers)

When my husband and I were dating, I had the pleasure of visiting Ghana for the first time, and it was such a great experience for me. While we were there, I was introduced to Suya which is also called Chinchinga in Ghana. It was incredibly appetizing, and I absolutely loved it! The Suya powder added a spicy and flavorful taste to the meat that made my taste buds go wild. Since then, I always enjoy making and eating it. If you have never tried Suya before, it is certainly a MUST try!

Suya powder can be used on any meat, including goat, beef, fish, pork, or chicken. No matter which meat you go with, it is a crowd pleaser. During the holidays, I decided to make Suya spice chicken skewers as an appetizer for our Christmas dinner and everyone loved it! The chicken breast is lightly seasoned then broiled to perfection; to give that grill-like appearance. The meat is so juicy and mouthwatering. Not to mention, the addition of vegetables after every piece of meat adds more flavor and depth to each bite.

If you have a grill and it’s warm outside don’t be afraid to fire it up. It tastes even better on a grill. I choose to only put green and red peppers along with onions on my skewers, but feel free to go with any vegetable of your choice or make the skewers with just the meat. It is all personal preference, and it tastes equally delectable. What is great about this recipe is it is so easy to make and you can whip it up in no time! I do hope you savor this recipe. Do not forget to leave a comment if you have tried this recipe and share with your friends and family. Enjoy!

What is Suya Powder?

Suya powder is a dried peanut-based spice rub that is commonly used to marinate any meat such as beef, chicken, or ram before grilling. The spice can also be used in any dish of your choice as well. It is extremely popular in West Africa and was created in the parts of northern Nigeria. There is no set way to make Suya. The combination of spice blend might vary according to personal preference, but peanuts, cayenne pepper, salt and ginger are essential ingredients. Also, depending on which West African country you are from it might have a different name, for example, it is called “Serre” in Sierra Leone and “Soya” in Cameroon.

Helpful Tips

1. Be sure not to over broil your meat; 10 minutes max on each side is all you need.

2. It is important that you soak the sticks in water before placing in the oven to prevent burning.

3. Be sure to cut your vegetables and onions thick; you want to taste all the flavors.

4. You will need enough oil to brush only the top of the skewers. Although I used olive oil, you can certainly use any oil of your choice.

5. You should be able to find Suya powder at your local African-Caribbean store, online, or you can also make it at home. There are a lot of wonderful recipes online on how to make your own at home.

6. Since Suya spice powder is PEANUT based please do not use if you are allergic to peanuts.