Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties Recipe

Looking for a dish that brings together sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors in perfect harmony? These Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties are exactly what you need! This traditional South African dish combines tender chicken pieces with a fragrant curry marinade and sweet apricot notes, all threaded onto skewers for easy grilling.

Perfect for your next braai, barbecue, or outdoor gathering, these sosaties deliver an explosion of flavor that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of South Africa. Follow this recipe to create authentic sosaties that are guaranteed to become a family favorite.

What are Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties?

Sosaties are traditional South African kebabs that originated from the Cape Malay community. The name comes from the Malay words “sate” (skewered meat) and “saus” (sauce). These flavorful skewers feature marinated meat threaded with vegetables and grilled to perfection.

What makes sosaties unique is their distinctive sweet and savory marinade, which typically combines curry spices with fruit elements like apricots. The result is a complex flavor profile that balances aromatic spices with natural sweetness, creating a dish that’s both exotic and comforting.

Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties specifically showcase the beautiful marriage between tender chicken, warm curry spices, and the natural sweetness of apricots. This combination creates layers of flavor that develop beautifully during the marinating process and caramelize gorgeously on the grill.

Ingredients List for Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties

For the Chicken and Skewers:

2 pounds boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1½-inch cubes
1 large red onion, cut into chunks
1 large bell pepper (red or yellow), cut into chunks
12-15 dried apricots, soaked in warm water for 10 minutes
8-10 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

For the Marinade:

½ cup apricot jam or preserves
¼ cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons medium curry powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

For Serving:

Cooked basmati rice
Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
Lemon wedges
Chutney (optional)

How to Cook Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating perfect sosaties requires patience and attention to detail, but the results are absolutely worth it. Here’s my comprehensive guide to ensure your sosaties turn out incredibly flavorful:

1. Prepare the Marinade:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the apricot jam and white wine vinegar until smooth.
Add the olive oil, curry powder, brown sugar, and tomato paste, mixing thoroughly.
Stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
Whisk everything together until you have a smooth, well-combined marinade.

2. Marinate the Chicken:

Cut the chicken thighs into evenly-sized cubes, removing any excess fat.
Place the chicken pieces in the marinade, ensuring every piece is thoroughly coated.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
The longer marination time allows the flavors to penetrate the meat completely.

3. Prepare the Vegetables:

Cut the red onion into chunks similar in size to your chicken pieces.
Prepare the bell pepper by removing seeds and cutting into bite-sized squares.
Drain the soaked apricots and pat them dry with paper towels.
Keep vegetables separate until you’re ready to assemble the skewers.

4. Assemble the Sosaties:

Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the liquid for basting.
Thread the ingredients onto soaked wooden skewers in this order: chicken, onion, pepper, apricot.
Repeat the pattern until the skewer is full, leaving small gaps between pieces for even cooking.
Aim for 4-5 pieces of chicken per skewer, alternating with vegetables and apricots.

5. Grill the Sosaties:

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat or prepare coals for indirect grilling.
Oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
Place sosaties on the grill and cook for 12-15 minutes total, turning every 3-4 minutes.
Baste frequently with the reserved marinade during the first 10 minutes of cooking.
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when done.

6. Rest and Serve:

Remove sosaties from the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes.
This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
Serve immediately while hot, garnished with fresh coriander and lemon wedges.

Substitutions and Variations

I love how versatile sosaties can be! Here are some excellent substitutions and variations you can try:

Meat Options: Replace chicken with lamb shoulder, beef sirloin, or even firm white fish for different flavor profiles.
Fruit Alternatives: Substitute dried apricots with fresh pineapple chunks, mango pieces, or even dried peaches for varied sweetness.
Vegetable Swaps: Try zucchini rounds, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms instead of bell peppers for different textures.
Spice Adjustments: Use mild curry powder for a gentler flavor, or add extra cayenne for more heat.
Jam Variations: Experiment with peach jam, mango chutney, or even orange marmalade in the marinade.
Vegetarian Version: Use firm tofu, halloumi cheese, or mixed vegetables as the protein base.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Through years of making sosaties, I’ve learned to avoid these common pitfalls:

Insufficient Marinating Time: Don’t rush the marination process; at least 4 hours is essential for proper flavor development.
Overcrowding Skewers: Leave space between ingredients to ensure even cooking and proper heat circulation.
Using Dry Chicken: Chicken thighs are preferred over breasts as they stay moist and tender during grilling.
Not Soaking Skewers: Dry wooden skewers will burn; always soak them for at least 30 minutes before use.
High Heat Cooking: Medium heat prevents burning the outside while ensuring the inside cooks through properly.
Forgetting to Baste: Regular basting keeps the meat moist and builds up beautiful flavors and caramelization.

How to Serve Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties

Sosaties are incredibly versatile and can be served in various ways to create a complete meal. I typically serve them over fragrant basmati rice, which absorbs the delicious juices that drip from the skewers.

A fresh green salad with cucumber and tomatoes provides a cooling contrast to the warm spices. Traditional South African sides like yellow rice with raisins, roasted vegetables, or even grilled corn on the cob complement the flavors beautifully.

For a more casual presentation, remove the meat and vegetables from the skewers and serve in warm pita bread or flatbread with fresh herbs and a dollop of yogurt sauce.

Presentation Ideas for Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties

To make your sosaties look as impressive as they taste, consider these presentation ideas:

Colorful Platter: Arrange sosaties on a large wooden board with fresh herbs, lemon wedges, and small bowls of chutney for dipping.
Individual Plates: Serve each person 2-3 sosaties over a bed of rice with a small side salad and garnish of fresh coriander.
Rustic Style: Present on a cast-iron platter straight from the grill, maintaining that authentic braai atmosphere.
Elegant Finish: Drizzle plates with a reduction of the marinade and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds or chopped nuts.

Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties Recipe Tips

Here are my essential tips for creating the most flavorful sosaties possible:

Quality Ingredients: Use fresh spices and good-quality apricot jam for the best flavor development.
Even Cutting: Cut all ingredients to similar sizes to ensure uniform cooking times.
Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches safe internal temperatures without overcooking.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Sosaties can be assembled a day ahead and kept refrigerated until grilling time.
Marinade Magic: Don’t discard leftover marinade; reduce it in a pan for a delicious sauce to drizzle over the finished dish.
Grill Marks: For beautiful presentation, rotate skewers to create attractive grill marks on all sides.

How to Store Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties

Proper storage ensures you can enjoy leftover sosaties safely and deliciously. Allow cooked sosaties to cool completely before refrigerating, ideally within 2 hours of cooking.

Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, remove meat and vegetables from skewers and freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

When reheating, use a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, or reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I make sosaties in the oven instead of grilling?
A: Absolutely! Preheat your oven to 425°F and place sosaties on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking.

Q: How far in advance can I marinate the chicken?
A: You can marinate chicken for up to 24 hours. Beyond that, the acids in the marinade may start to break down the meat texture.

Q: Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
A: Yes, but chicken thighs are preferred because they stay more moist during cooking. If using breasts, be extra careful not to overcook them.

Q: What’s the best way to prevent vegetables from falling off the skewers?
A: Cut vegetables into appropriate sizes and don’t pack ingredients too tightly. Leave small spaces between pieces for even cooking.

Q: Can I make these sosaties spicier?
A: Certainly! Add extra cayenne pepper, fresh chilies to the marinade, or serve with a spicy chutney on the side.

Q: Are sosaties gluten-free?
A: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but always check your curry powder and other spice blends to ensure they don’t contain gluten-containing additives.

Conclusion

Curried Apricot Chicken Sosaties represent the beautiful fusion of flavors that South African cuisine is famous for. This dish brings together the warmth of aromatic spices, the sweetness of apricots, and the satisfaction of perfectly grilled chicken in a way that’s both exotic and comfortably familiar.

Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, planning a special dinner, or simply want to try something new and exciting, these sosaties deliver incredible flavor with relatively simple preparation. The key lies in the marination time and the balance of sweet and savory elements that make each bite a delightful surprise.

Take your time with the marination process, enjoy the grilling experience, and watch as these aromatic skewers become a favorite in your household. The combination of tender chicken, caramelized vegetables, and that distinctive curry-apricot flavor profile creates a dish that’s truly memorable. Happy grilling!