Middle Eastern Chicken Thighs

User Reviews

4.7

27 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    25 mins

  • Cook Time

    25 mins

  • Total Time

    45 mins

  • Servings

    4 servings

  • Calories

    861 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Middle Eastern

Middle Eastern Chicken Thighs

These Middle Eastern chicken thighs are spiced with cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, and cloves before being gently braised with onions and are on the table in 45 minutes. No time-consuming marinade. No fussy cooking heroics. Just an exceptionally likable and exotically spiced chicken that works perfectly on weeknights.

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Ingredients

Servings

For the Middle Eastern chicken thighs

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
  • 1 medium onion thinly sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 to 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 4)
  • pinch sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup store-bought chicken broth or homemade chicken stock

For the garnish

  • 3 to 4 cups cooked grains such as white rice, brown rice, quinoa or millet
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice or more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest preferably organic
  • 1/4 cup almonds hazelnuts, or pistachios, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley coarsely chopped
  • 1/3 cup (1 2/3 oz) pomegranate seeds (optional but highly recommended)
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Instructions

Make the Middle Eastern chicken thighs

  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the ghee (clarified butter). Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Sprinkle the onions with the cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, and cloves, and cook, stirring, until the spices are fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and tuck them among the onions in the skillet. Sear the thighs briefly, 1 to 2 minutes per side.
  4. Pour 1/2 cup broth or stock into the skillet and bring to a boil.
  5. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the chicken thighs are golden and the meat registers 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer, about 20 minutes.

Assemble everything

  1. Heap the cooked grains onto a large platter or individual plates. Arrange the chicken on top and drizzle with the pan juices and lemon juice. If desired, season with salt, pepper, and/or lemon juice.
  2. Sprinkle the chicken and grains with the lemon zest, nuts, parsley, and pomegranate seeds, if using. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1serving Calories 861kcal (43%) Carbohydrates 116g (39%) Protein 47g (94%) Fat 23g (35%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Monounsaturated Fat 8g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 149mg (50%) Sodium 157mg (7%) Fiber 15g (60%) Sugar 2g (4%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 861 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 861kcal 43%
Carbohydrates 116g 39%
Protein 47g 94%
Fat 23g 35%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Monounsaturated Fat 8g 40%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 149mg 50%
Sodium 157mg 7%
Fiber 15g 60%
Sugar 2g 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

4.7

27 reviews
Excellent

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