Lebanese Chicken Middle Eastern Spices (Print Version)
Marinated chicken thighs roasted with aromatic spices and paired with fresh herby yogurt sauce.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken Marinade
01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs (approximately 1.3 pounds)
02 - 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
03 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
06 - 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
07 - 1½ teaspoons ground coriander
08 - 1 teaspoon ground paprika
09 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
10 - ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Herby Yogurt Sauce
13 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (approximately 7 ounces)
14 - 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
17 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
18 - ½ teaspoon salt
19 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Serving Accompaniments
20 - 1 red onion, thinly sliced
21 - 1 small cucumber, sliced
22 - 2 tomatoes, sliced
23 - Fresh parsley leaves for garnish
24 - Lemon wedges
# How to Prepare:
01 - Whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly with the marinade.
02 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For maximum flavor development and tenderness, marinate overnight, but do not exceed 24 hours.
03 - Preheat oven to 400°F or prepare a grill pan over medium-high heat. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper if using the oven method.
04 - Remove excess marinade from chicken and arrange thighs on the prepared baking sheet or grill pan. Roast or grill for 30 to 35 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking. Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F and the exterior is golden brown.
05 - While chicken cooks, combine Greek yogurt, grated garlic, chopped mint, chopped parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly and refrigerate until serving time.
06 - Arrange cooked chicken on a serving platter. Surround with sliced red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, and fresh parsley leaves. Place lemon wedges around the platter and serve with the herby yogurt sauce on the side.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The yogurt marinade makes the chicken incredibly tender while infusing it with those gorgeous Middle Eastern spices
- That herby yogurt sauce is so good youll want to put it on everything
- Its one of those recipes that looks impressive but is secretly so easy to pull off on a weeknight
02 -
- Patting off the excess marinade before cooking prevents the chicken from steaming and helps it get those gorgeous golden edges
- Letting the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking locks in the juices so each bite stays incredibly moist
03 -
- Grilling the chicken adds a smoky char that takes this dish to another level
- If youre using chicken breasts reduce the cooking time and watch closely so they dont dry out