Zesty Spiced Chicken with Creamy Tahini-Yogurt Drizzle
Indulge in the bold flavors of the Middle East with this Zesty Spiced Chicken featuring a perfectly balanced Tahini-Yogurt Sauce. The chicken breasts are marinated in a tantalizing blend of hot and sweet spices, then seared to perfection for a crispy skin that locks in moisture. Paired with a luscious, creamy sauce that combines the nuttiness of tahini with the tang of yogurt and a hint of honey, this dish promises a symphony of flavors in every bite. Ideal for a family dinner or entertaining guests, this recipe is simple yet impressively delicious!
4
Servings
400
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1/4 cup (divided (2 tablespoons for spice mix, 2 tablespoons for searing))
hot paprika
1/2 teaspoon (for spice mix)
sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon (for spice mix)
chili powder
1/2 teaspoon (for spice mix)
ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon (for spice mix)
chicken breast halves, on the bone skin on
4 (fresh, cleaned)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
freshly ground black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
tahini
1/2 cup (for sauce)
plain yogurt
1 cup (for sauce)
fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup (for sauce)
cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup (for sauce)
minced garlic
2 tablespoons (for sauce)
honey
1/4 cup (for sauce)
cayenne
to taste (for seasoning sauce)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2
In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil with hot paprika, sweet paprika, chili powder, and ground cumin until well combined.
3
In a large mixing bowl, add the chicken breasts and pour the spice mixture over them. Toss to coat the chicken evenly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
4
Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts, meaty side down, and brown for 1.5 to 2 minutes without moving them. Then, turn the chicken to brown the skin side for 3 to 4 minutes, until golden brown.
5
Once browned, pour out any excess oil from the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast the chicken for about 30 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is cooked through.
6
While the chicken is roasting, prepare the Tahini-Yogurt Sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together tahini, plain yogurt, fresh lemon juice, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, and honey until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
7
Season the sauce with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and cayenne to taste. Keep the sauce at room temperature until ready to serve.
8
Once the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Drizzle the Tahini-Yogurt Sauce generously over the chicken and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
17.5g
Carbs
35g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Spiced Chicken with Creamy Tahini-Yogurt Drizzle?
It is a Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring chicken breasts marinated in a spice blend, seared, roasted, and served with a tangy tahini-yogurt sauce.
What cut of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 4 chicken breast halves that are bone-in and have the skin on to ensure moisture and flavor.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
The oven should be preheated to 425°F (220°C).
What spices are in the chicken marinade?
The marinade consists of hot paprika, sweet paprika, chili powder, and ground cumin mixed with olive oil.
How long should I sear the chicken before roasting?
Sear the meaty side for 1.5 to 2 minutes, then turn and sear the skin side for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown.
How long does the chicken need to roast in the oven?
The chicken should roast for approximately 30 minutes.
What is the safe internal temperature for the chicken?
The chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
What are the main ingredients in the Creamy Tahini-Yogurt Drizzle?
The sauce contains tahini, plain yogurt, fresh lemon juice, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, honey, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 400 calories per serving.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to make 4 servings.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains 35g of protein.
How much fat is in this dish?
There is 25g of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count?
The dish contains 17.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much olive oil is required?
A total of 1/4 cup of olive oil is used, divided between the spice mix and the searing process.
Is there any sweetener in the sauce?
Yes, the sauce uses 1/4 cup of honey for a hint of sweetness.
What type of yogurt should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of plain yogurt.
How much garlic is needed for the sauce?
You will need 2 tablespoons of minced garlic.
Can I make this dish spicy?
Yes, the recipe includes hot paprika, chili powder, and cayenne to provide a zesty heat.
Should the chicken rest after cooking?
Yes, let the chicken rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oven to help retain its juices.
How much lemon juice is in the recipe?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice for the sauce.
What herb is used for flavoring?
Fresh chopped cilantro (1/4 cup) is used in the tahini-yogurt sauce.
What kind of pan is best for this recipe?
An ovenproof skillet is best so you can move the chicken directly from the stovetop to the oven.
How much tahini is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of tahini.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy recipe and is high in protein.
How do I prepare the spice mixture?
Whisk 2 tablespoons of olive oil with the paprikas, chili powder, and cumin in a small bowl.
Can I use lime juice instead of lemon?
While the recipe calls for lemon, lime juice could be used as a substitute for a different citrus profile.
What is the texture of the sauce?
The sauce is described as luscious, creamy, and smooth.
How many ingredients are in this recipe total?
The recipe contains 15 distinct ingredients.
What tags describe this recipe?
The recipe is tagged as chicken, tahini, yogurt sauce, spicy chicken, middle eastern, dinner, healthy, and easy recipe.
Is the chicken skin removed?
No, the skin is left on and seared until golden brown to lock in moisture and provide texture.