An easy way to spice up chicken

Spiced chicken skewers with grapes

The accompanying recipe is the antidote to boring grilled chicken. It’s nearly as easy to make, but so much more enticing. The key is to toss the chicken with a mix of dried spices — ginger, garlic, turmeric, crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper — that turn the blankcanvas protein into something irresistibly flavorful and fragrant. No marinating time required.

The chicken would be delicious grilled just like that, but this preparation goes a step further by threading bite-sized chunks onto skewers alternately with plump green grapes. Once grilled, the sugars in those grapes caramelize; the fruit takes on a deep, mellow flavor and provides a juicy, sweet counterpoint to the savory meat.

It’s a dinner you can whip up in less than 20 minutes, or prep up to a day ahead so it is at the ready in the refrigerator when you want to cook it. The skewers are finished with a bright squeeze of lemon juice and a fresh punch of cilantro for a grilled chicken dish that is sure to elicit oohhs and ahhhs, instead of the usual ho-hums. Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 6 minutes Makes: 4 servings These chicken and grape skewers can be done on the outdoor grill as well. You’ll need to soak 8 wooden/bamboo skewers for 30 minutes before using. teaspoon ground ginger teaspoon granulated garlic (garlic powder) teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes teaspoon salt teaspoon freshly ground black pepper teaspoon ground turmeric pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into cubes cups seedless green grapes tablespoons canola oil or other neutral tasting oil tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges for serving tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish Stir together the ginger, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper and turmeric in a mixing bowl. Add the chicken; toss to coat evenly. Alternate the chicken and grapes as you thread them onto the skewers. (There should be about 5 pieces of chicken and 4 grapes on each skewer; you may have a few grapes left over.) Brush with the oil. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches as needed, cook the skewers, turning them once or twice, until grill marks have formed, the grapes have softened and the chicken is cooked through, about 6 minutes total. Sprinkle with the lemon juice and cilantro; serve with lemon wedges.

270 calories, 11 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 105 mg cholesterol, 10 g carbohydrates, 8 g sugar, 32 g protein, 210 mg sodium, 0 g fiber

DEB LINDSEY/FOR THE WASHINGTON POST