Description
Spicy Yogurt Marinated Chicken with Dill Feta Cream offers a vibrant fusion of bold spices and creamy indulgence. Tender chicken is marinated in a tangy, flavorful yogurt blend and paired with a luscious feta cream infused with fresh dill, delivering a delightful balance of spice, creaminess, and herbaceous brightness. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or entertaining, this versatile gluten-free dish shines in salads, wraps, rice bowls, or grilled to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat recommended)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
For the Dill Feta Cream
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, combine Greek yogurt with smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth and aromatic to tenderize and infuse the chicken with vibrant spice layers.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the yogurt marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for deeper flavor penetration and tenderness.
- Make the Dill Feta Cream: While the chicken marinates, blend crumbled feta cheese, fresh dill, lemon zest, olive oil, and Greek yogurt in a food processor or mix with a fork until creamy but still slightly textured. Chill until ready to serve.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle with olive oil. Cook the marinated chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness.
- Plate and Serve: Serve the juicy chicken topped generously with dill feta cream. Garnish with extra dill and lemon wedges for added brightness and freshness.
Notes
- Marinate overnight: For the most tender and flavorful chicken, marinate for several hours or overnight.
- Use full-fat yogurt: Creates a richer marinade and helps keep the chicken juicy.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Give each piece room to brown perfectly and avoid steaming.
- Dill freshness matters: Use freshly chopped dill for the cream to keep the herbaceous flavor bright.
- Adjust spice levels: Customize the heat by varying chili powder or adding fresh chilies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: spicy chicken, yogurt marinade, dill feta cream, Mediterranean chicken, gluten free chicken, quick chicken recipe, grilled chicken, creamy feta sauce
