Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice with Yogurt Tahini Sauce
A comforting dish featuring tender chicken infused with aromatic spices, served over fluffy rice and topped with a creamy yogurt tahini sauce.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 pieces chicken thighs or breasts, boneless and skinless
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Rice
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth or water
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
For the Yogurt Tahini Sauce
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1 piece Juice of 1 lemon
- Pinch of salt
For Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
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Instructions
Preparation
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, and cinnamon. Massage the spices into the meat for even coating.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and sear each side for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Stir in the rice, allowing it to toast slightly for about 2 minutes, then pour in the chicken broth and return the chicken to the skillet. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
- While the chicken and rice cook, prepare the yogurt tahini sauce by whisking together yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Adjust seasoning as necessary.
- Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork and let it sit for a few minutes. Serve the chicken over the rice and drizzle generously with the yogurt tahini sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley.
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Notes
To enhance flavor, marinate the chicken with spices and yogurt beforehand. Rinse the rice thoroughly for fluffier grains. For a bit of heat, add cayenne pepper to the spice mix. You can also sauté nuts and sprinkle them over the dish before serving.