Orange you gonna give these delicious skewers a try?!

            With the weather here in Nebraska keeping us guessing whether or not summer is actually upon us, I guarantee that if you give this delicious meal a try, you just might feel like you are enjoying a meal in the middle of June!  I found this recipe for grilled chicken and orange skewers in the May 2011 issue of Real Simple Magazine.  While I was preparing it, Chris’s interest was certainly piqued as he saw me stringing the kabobs together.  “Is that chicken AND oranges?” He asked, turning away thinking something to the effect of “what is she attempting now?”

            Because that cutie husband of mine also happens to be the resident grill master in our home, he was in charge of grilling the skewers after I finished the preparation.  From start to finish the meal took no more than 45 minutes to prepare, and the end result was fantastic!  I myself would have never mixed the oranges, onions, and chicken on the skewers, but the combination was absolutely delicious! 

            If you, like me, have had a husband who has been cooped up and away from his sacred grilling post all winter, I would highly recommend that you try this one soon.  After all, we know that you will really be the one doing the meal preparation, but sometimes I think guys secretly want to lend a helping hand, especially if it involves a little smoke and fire!

Slainte!

Recipe:

-1 ¼ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (6 to 7), cut into 1 ½ inch pieces

-1 small red onion, cut into 1 ½ inch pieces

-1 navel orange, cut into 16 pieces

-1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for the grill

-1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

-kosher salt and black pepper

Preparation:

*I use metal skewers, but if you use wooden ones, do the following:

-Soak 8 small wooden skewers in water for at least 15 minutes

-In a large bowl, toss the chicken, onion, and orange with the oil, cumin, cayenne, ¾ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper; thread onto the skewers.  Heat grill or grill pan to medium, lightly oil the grate and grill the skewers, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the onion is just tender, 15 to 18 minutes.