Juicy Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties Recipe for Summer Grills

Cape Town’s vibrant sosaties carry a delightful twist with this curried apricot chicken sosaties recipe that blends sweet and savory notes.

Tender marinated meat skewers showcase South African culinary traditions with unexpected flavor combinations.

Apricot preserves infuse each bite with gentle sweetness and warm spice complexity.

Grilling transforms these kebabs into smoky, caramelized delights that spark conversation around the table.

Weekend gatherings come alive with this simple yet impressive dish that feels both comforting and adventurous.

Friends will marvel at the harmonious blend of fruity and aromatic spices dancing across perfectly charred chicken.

Savor every morsel and let your taste buds travel through a delectable South African experience.

Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties With Bold Flavor

• Speedy Flavor Explosion: Marinate chicken overnight and unlock intense, complex tastes that transform a simple dish into a gourmet experience.
• Versatile Party Pleaser: Perfect for backyard barbecues, potlucks, and casual gatherings where guests can enjoy bite-sized, easy-to-eat skewers with minimal fuss.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Minimal prep time and straightforward grilling technique make this recipe an ideal solution for busy families seeking delicious, hassle-free meals.
• Cultural Culinary Journey: South African-inspired sosaties bring exciting international flavors to your dinner table, offering a delightful twist on traditional chicken recipes.

What You Need For Apricot Chicken Sosaties

• Chicken Thighs: Tender and flavorful meat perfect for skewers, skinless and boneless for easy preparation.

• Onion: Provides a classic aromatic foundation with sweet and sharp undertones, helps balance the overall dish's flavor profile.

• Dried Apricots: Bring natural sweetness and slight tanginess, key to creating the signature sosatie flavor.
• Curry Powder: Adds warm, complex spice notes characteristic of South African cuisine.
• Garlic: Introduces depth and pungent flavor to the marinade.
• Turmeric: Contributes earthy undertones and vibrant golden color.
• Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and helps tenderize the meat.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and aromatic complexity.
• Brown Sugar: Balances spices with a subtle caramel-like sweetness.
• White Vinegar: Provides tangy acidity and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Vegetable Oil: Helps bind marinade ingredients and prevents sticking during cooking.

Apricot Chicken Sosaties Cooking Steps

Step 1: Craft a Flavor-Packed Marinade

• Diced onion
• Crushed garlic
• Grated ginger
• Curry powder
• Salt
• Red wine vinegar
• Chopped apricots
• Apricot jam
• Olive oil
• Chutney
• Bay leaves

Stir everything together until the ingredients create a vibrant, aromatic blend that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Toss chicken cubes and additional onion cubes into the marinade.

Massage the mixture thoroughly, ensuring every piece gets completely coated with the golden, spice-laden sauce.

Cover the bowl and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to mingle and intensify.

Step 3: Prepare for Grilling

Fire up your grill to medium-high heat, creating the perfect cooking environment for these sosaties.

While the grill heats, remove the marinated chicken and onion from the refrigerator.

Step 4: Skewer the Sosaties

Carefully thread the marinated chicken and onion pieces onto skewers, creating beautiful, colorful kebabs that promise a burst of flavor in every bite.

Step 5: Grill to Perfection

Place the sosaties on the grill, turning them frequently to ensure even cooking.

Grill for approximately 10-12 minutes, watching for a beautiful char and checking that the chicken is completely cooked through.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the sizzling sosaties to a serving platter.

Pair with your favorite sides and get ready to enjoy a mouthwatering meal that brings together the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.

Expert Hints for Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties

• Let the chicken soak in the marinade overnight for maximum flavor absorption and tender meat that falls apart.
• Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before threading to stop them from burning during grilling.
• Adjust curry powder and apricot jam quantities to customize the flavor profile according to your taste preferences.
• Turn sosaties frequently to ensure even cooking and prevent charring, keeping the chicken juicy and perfectly cooked.
• Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version, or use skinless chicken breasts for a lower-fat option.

Best Way To Save And Reheat Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties

• Store leftover sosaties in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Warm sosaties in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Drizzle a little olive oil to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Wrap sosaties tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Discard sosaties if they develop an off smell, unusual color, or show signs of spoilage. Always check internal temperature reaches 165°F when reheating to ensure food safety.

What Goes with Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties

• Enhance South African Flavor Fusion: Pair sosaties with a crisp chenin blanc from Stellenbosch, highlighting the dish's sweet and tangy marinade.
• Create Cooling Contrast: Serve alongside a refreshing cucumber-yogurt raita, balancing the curry's warmth and cutting through the rich chicken flavors.
• Complement Grilled Elements: Match with a light couscous salad featuring fresh herbs like mint and parsley, adding brightness and texture to the sosaties.
• Elevate Spice Experience: Select a medium-bodied amber ale or wheat beer that can stand up to the curry's complexity while cleansing the palate between bites.

Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties Recipe Savory Variants

• Low-Sodium Delight: Replace salt with herbs like thyme or rosemary, use low-sodium chutney, and swap red wine vinegar for apple cider vinegar to reduce sodium content.
• Vegetarian Option: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or tempeh cubes, maintaining the same marinating process and grilling technique for a plant-based protein alternative.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free apricot jam, ensure chutney is gluten-free, and verify curry powder does not contain gluten additives to make the recipe safe for gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Spice-Reduced Version: Decrease curry powder quantity, replace with mild curry blend or paprika for those who prefer less intense flavor profiles while keeping the core recipe intact.

FAQs

• What are sosaties?

Sosaties are a traditional South African kebab-style dish, typically made with marinated and grilled meat, often featuring a blend of spices and fruit flavors.

• Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute chicken with lamb, beef, or pork, which are also commonly used in traditional sosaties.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The curry powder adds mild to moderate warmth, but you can adjust the amount of curry powder to control the spice level according to your preference.

• Do I need to soak wooden skewers before grilling?

Yes, soak wooden skewers in water for about 30 minutes before threading meat to prevent them from burning during grilling.

Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent South African sosaties bring curried apricot chicken to life with tangy marinated meat and sweet fruity notes. Grilled skewers create perfect balance between spicy and sweet, promising a delightful culinary journey you won’t forget.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into cubes (approximately 1.13 kilograms / 2.5 pounds)

Aromatics and Base Vegetables:

• 1 medium onion, cubed

Marinade and Seasoning:

• 1/2 cup dried apricots
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a robust marinade by blending aromatic onions, pungent garlic, zesty ginger, warming curry powder, and tangy red wine vinegar with sweet apricots, rich apricot jam, fruity chutney, fragrant bay leaves, and smooth olive oil.
2. Immerse tender chicken cubes and chunky onion pieces completely in the vibrant marinade, ensuring every morsel is generously coated with the complex flavor profile.
3. Allow the marinated ingredients to meld and intensify their taste by refrigerating for a minimum of two hours, with overnight marination recommended for maximum flavor penetration.
4. Prepare the grill to a medium-high temperature, creating ideal conditions for caramelization and char.
5. Carefully skewer the marinated chicken and onion pieces, alternating to create visually appealing and evenly cooked sosaties.
6. Grill the skewers with attentive turning, watching for a golden-brown exterior and ensuring chicken reaches perfect doneness, approximately 10-12 minutes.
7. Present the sosaties immediately while hot, accompanied by complementary side dishes that enhance the rich, spiced essence of the dish.

Notes

• Marinate chicken overnight for maximum flavor absorption and tenderness, allowing spices to deeply penetrate the meat.
• Use wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning and potential fire hazards.
• For gluten-free version, replace regular chutney with homemade or gluten-free store-bought chutney to maintain authentic taste.
• Consider alternative protein options like firm tofu or tempeh for vegetarian guests, using same marinade technique for comparable flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: South African

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg