Lebanese Chicken Middle Eastern Spices (Printable Version)
Marinated chicken with cumin, coriander, and cinnamon, served with fresh herby yogurt sauce
# What You Need:
→ For the Chicken Marinade
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1.3 pounds)
02 - 3 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
03 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - Juice of 1 lemon
06 - 1½ tsp ground cumin
07 - 1½ tsp ground coriander
08 - 1 tsp ground paprika
09 - ½ tsp ground cinnamon
10 - ½ tsp ground turmeric
11 - 1 tsp salt
12 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ For the Herby Yogurt Sauce
13 - 200 g plain Greek yogurt (about 7 oz or scant 1 cup)
14 - 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
15 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
17 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
18 - ½ tsp salt
19 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ For 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 - In a large mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight, covered in the refrigerator for best flavor.
02 - Preheat the oven to 400°F or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
03 - Remove excess marinade from the chicken. Arrange the chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper 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 the chicken cooks, prepare the herby yogurt sauce by mixing Greek yogurt, grated garlic, mint, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Chill until ready to use.
05 - Arrange the cooked chicken on a serving platter. Garnish with sliced onion, cucumber, tomatoes, parsley, and lemon wedges. Serve with the herby yogurt sauce on the side.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The yogurt marinade makes the chicken impossibly tender, almost melting in your mouth
- That herby sauce is addictive enough to eat with a spoon
- It comes together fast but tastes like something you spent all day planning
02 -
- Don't skip the overnight marinade if you can, it's the difference between good and absolutely unforgettable
- The sauce needs at least 15 minutes in the fridge to let the garlic mellow and flavors come together
03 -
- Pat the chicken dry before adding it to the marinade, it helps the coating stick better
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking, the juices redistribute and make every bite more succulent