Hot Games Recipe

Prep the chicken

Trim excess fat from the chicken thighs and cut into 1- to 1.25-inch pieces so they cook evenly (about 24–28 pieces from 1 lb).

Make the marinade

In a medium bowl combine 2 tbs olive oil, 1 tsp hot smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp chili flakes, 2 tbs honey and 1 tbs lemon juice. Whisk until smooth.

Marinate

Add the cut chicken pieces to the marinade, toss to coat thoroughly, cover and refrigerate for 20–45 minutes (minimum 20 minutes to let flavors penetrate; up to 4 hours if preparing ahead).

Skewer

If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes. Thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers, leaving a little space between pieces so heat circulates and the glaze can caramelize.

Cook

Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high (about 425°F/220°C). Brush the grates or pan very lightly with oil. Grill the skewers 3–4 minutes per side, rotating to get even color and slight char, about 10–12 minutes total until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). If broiling, place on a rimmed baking sheet 4–5 inches from the broiler and broil 3–4 minutes per side.

Glaze and rest

During the last 1–2 minutes of cooking, brush remaining marinade (reserve a small amount before adding raw chicken if you plan to use it as a finishing glaze) or an extra thin mix of honey and lemon (1 tsp honey + 1/2 tsp lemon) onto the chicken to create a shiny, sticky glaze. Remove from heat and let rest 5 minutes on a plate so juices redistribute.

While chicken marinates or cooks, combine 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tbs mayonnaise, 1.5 tbs sriracha, 1 tbs lime juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp smoked paprika and 1/4 tsp salt in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and chill briefly to let flavors meld (10–15 minutes). Taste and adjust heat or sweetness as desired.

Arrange skewers on a serving platter. Sprinkle with 2 tbs chopped fresh cilantro and 2 tbs thinly sliced green onions. Serve with lemon wedges and the fiery dipping sauce. Offer warm pita or flatbreads alongside for guests to make wraps.

Optional: For a game-day spread, place skewers on a large board with small bowls of extra chili flakes, sliced pickled peppers, and extra sauce so guests can customize their heat level.