Lebanese Chicken with Spiced Yogurt (Printer-Friendly)
Spiced chicken thighs with aromatic Middle Eastern flavors, served with refreshing herby yogurt sauce and fresh vegetables.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken Marinade
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1.3 pounds)
02 - 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
03 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - Juice of 1 lemon
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 - 200 g (about 7 oz) plain Greek yogurt
14 - 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
17 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
18 - ½ teaspoon salt
19 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Serving
20 - 1 red onion, thinly sliced
21 - 1 small cucumber, sliced
22 - 2 tomatoes, sliced
23 - Fresh parsley leaves
24 - Lemon wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine Greek yogurt, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, covered in refrigerator, up to overnight for best flavor.
02 - Preheat oven to 400°F or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
03 - Remove excess marinade from chicken. Arrange thighs on a parchment-lined baking sheet or grill pan. Roast or grill for 30–35 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
04 - While chicken cooks, mix Greek yogurt, grated garlic, mint, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Chill until ready to serve.
05 - Arrange cooked chicken on a serving platter. Garnish with sliced onion, cucumber, tomatoes, parsley, and lemon wedges. Serve with herby yogurt sauce on the side.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The yogurt marinade makes the chicken impossibly tender while infusing every bite with aromatic Middle Eastern spices
- That cool herby sauce cuts through the rich warmth of the chicken creating this perfect balance of temperatures and flavors
02 -
- Don't skip the resting time after marinating, even 30 minutes makes a noticeable difference in how deeply the flavors penetrate
- The sauce tastes significantly better if you make it at least an hour ahead and give the garlic time to mellow out in the yogurt
03 -
- If you're grilling, save a little marinade to brush on during the last few minutes for extra caramelization
- The leftovers make incredible sandwiches the next day with just a little extra sauce