Name: Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice with Tahini Yogurt Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 3 h 5 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 1.75 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 3 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 tablespoon white vinegar; 1 teaspoon turmeric; 1 teaspoon curry powder; 1 teaspoon cumin; 2 teaspoons oregano; 1/2 teaspoon cardamom; 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg; 1 teaspoon garlic cloves, minced; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1 large sweet onion, chopped; 2 tablespoons white cooking wine; 2/3 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 cup kale, coarsely chopped, packed; 1 teaspoon garlic, minced; 1.5 cups jasmine rice; 1.5 cups reduced sodium chicken broth; 1 cup water; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 teaspoon turmeric; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1/2 teaspoon cardamom; 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 7-ounce package plain Greek yogurt (about 2/3 cup, FAGE preferred); 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 tablespoons tahini

Ingredients

Chicken:

1.75 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon curry
1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons oregano
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Rice and Veggies:

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 large sweet onion, chopped
2 tablespoons white cooking wine
2/3 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup kale, coarsely chopped, packed
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1.5 cups jasmine rice
1.5 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt

Sauce:

1 7-ounce package plain Greek yogurt (about 2/3 cup)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons tahini
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl with a lid, combine all chicken ingredients except the chicken thighs. If the thighs are large, cut them in half. Add the chicken to the marinade and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Step 2: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 3: In a Dutch oven or oven-safe pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken thighs for 2–3 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Step 4: Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pot and sauté the chopped onion for 3–4 minutes. Pour in the white cooking wine and cook until it’s absorbed.

Step 5: Stir in the garlic, kale, cherry tomatoes, and jasmine rice. Sauté for 1–2 minutes to combine flavors.

Step 6: Add the chicken broth, 1 cup water, lemon juice, turmeric, cumin, cardamom, nutmeg, and salt. Stir everything together well.

Step 7: Place the browned chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer on the stovetop.

Step 8: Cover the pot with a lid and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the liquid has been absorbed.

Step 9: While the chicken and rice finish baking, prepare the sauce by whisking together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, tahini, olive oil, and salt in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate if not serving immediately.

Step 10: Serve the chicken and rice hot, accompanied by the tahini yogurt sauce.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken overnight instead of just 2 hours.

Swap kale for spinach or Swiss chard if preferred.

Add toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds on top for a crunchy garnish.

Use basmati rice for a slightly different texture and aroma.

For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade or rice mixture.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken breasts can be used, but they may cook faster and be less tender. Adjust cooking time accordingly and watch carefully to avoid drying out the meat.

Is there a substitute for tahini in the sauce?

If you don’t have tahini, you can use peanut butter or almond butter as a substitute, though the flavor will be different. Alternatively, you can omit it and add a bit more yogurt and lemon juice for a simpler sauce.