Mediterranean Chicken with Mint Yogurt Sauce

As our mint plant continues to grow like crazy we have tried to find other recipes and figure out new ways to use the mint.  So I thought I would make a mint yogurt sauce but then I had to figure out something to pair it with.

Recipe adapted from The Mediterranean Dish

https://www.themediterraneandish.com/mediterranean-grilled-chicken-dill-greek-yogurt-sauce/

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

For the Mint Yogurt Sauce:

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • 1 cup chopped fresh mint, stems removed (or fresh dill can be used)

  • 1 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or lactose free yogurt

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • Juice of 1/2 lemon or lime

  • Pinch cayenne pepper, optional

  • Salt, if needed

For the Chicken:

  • 5-10 garlic cloves, minced (depends on garlicky you want it to be)

  • 1 tsp paprika

  • 1 tsp harissa

  • 1 tsp all spice

  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg

  • salt and pepper

  • 5 tbsp olive oil, divided

  • 4 chicken breasts or 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs

  • 1 medium onion, sliced

  • juice of 1-2 lemons

 

Method:

1.  In a small bowl, mix together the minced garlic, spices and 3 tbsp olive oil. Pat the chicken dry and rub each with the garlic-spice mixture.

2.  Place the spiced chicken in a large dish or bowl with the onions, lemon juice and the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil. Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours or overnight.

3.  next make the yogurt sauce. Combine the minced garlic, fresh mint, yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice and cayenne pepper in a food processor. Run the food processor until all the ingredients are well blended and a smooth thick sauce or dip develops. Test and add salt if needed. Transfer to a small bowl or container, cover and refrigerate.

4.  When ready, heat a gas grill or skillet to medium-high.  Place the chicken on the grill/skillet. cook for 5-6 minutes, then turn the chicken over and cook for another 5-6 minutes.

5. Serve with a side of the yogurt dip and To complete this light meal, add Greek potatoes or pita bread and a salad like Fattoush Salad.

I had served it with some boiled green beans and a mix of wild rice and quinoa.  also with a side salad of spinach, beets, tomatoes, and radish with some of the extra yogurt sauce for the salad dressing.  this was really tasty and quite simple to make, although you do need to prep a little beforehand so that you have enough time for the meat to marinate and have more depth of flavor.  it did taste like something you could get in the mediterranean.  the richness of flavor from the chicken is cut out slightly from the citrus yogurt sauce.  and our mint was put to good use and was a good compliment.  a very summer dish and next time i will try to cook it on the grill!

cooking, dinnerJackie Wongmediterranean, chicken, yogurt sauce, mintComment