Lebanese Chicken Spices Yogurt (Printable)
Marinated chicken roasted with aromatic spices, paired with fresh herby yogurt sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Chicken Marinade
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1.3 lbs)
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 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
# Directions:
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 incredibly tender and juicy every single time
- The herby yogurt sauce adds a bright fresh contrast that pulls everything together beautifully
02 -
- Pat the chicken dry before adding the marinade or the sauce will slide right off instead of sticking
- Let the cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving so the juices redistribute throughout the meat
03 -
- Grilling the chicken adds a smoky char that takes this dish to another level
- Toast your spices in a dry pan before adding them to the marinade for deeper flavor