Eastern Style Broiled Chicken Recipes

JUICY BROILED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• Position an oven rack 4 inched below the heating element and preheat your broiler on high (500°F). Line a large broiler-safe rimmed baking sheet with foil and lightly grease the foil.
• Dry the chicken breasts with paper towels.
• Slice each of them horizontally into two even pieces.*
• Place the chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet. Spray them with oil, season with half the seasonings, then spray with more oil.**
• Broil them for 3 minutes on the first side. Flip them, season the second side with the remaining seasonings, and spray it with more oil.
• Broil the second side for 3-5 more minutes, depending on how thick the chicken pieces are and on how hot your broiler is. Their internal temperature should reach 165°F.
• Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

EASTERN STYLE BROILED CHICKEN

Steps:

• 1. Remove 4 strips of zest from lemon with a vegetable peeler, avoiding white pith, halve lemon, then squeeze juice into a mixer.
• 2. Add all of the ingredients except the chicken and mix well, until a creamy liquid is obtained.
• 3. Put the chicken breasts in a bowel and rub well with the seasoning mixture . Cover it and put it in the fridge for an hour.
• 4. Preheat broiler.
• 5. Transfer chicken, skin sides down, to rack of a broiler pan and broil 3 to 4 inches from heat, turning over every 5 minutes, 15 minutes total.
• 6. Remove broiler pan from oven, then transfer chicken to a plate with tongs. Carefully remove rack from broiler pan and keep juices accumulated in the bottom in bowl .
• 7. Transfer chicken to pan juices, then toss to coat and arrange chicken skin sides up. Return broiler pan to oven and broil chicken until cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes more. Transfer chicken to a platter and pour any juices from broiler pan over it and serve.

MIDDLE EASTERN-INSPIRED HERB AND GARLIC CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine chicken with all but 1 teaspoon of the grated garlic (save that teaspoon for the yogurt sauce), the zest and juice of 1 lemon, oil, parsley, mint, thyme, oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the sesame seeds and sumac, if using. Cover and marinate for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature; you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
• Heat grill or broiler. If grilling, cook chicken over high heat until charred in spots, 4 to 7 minutes. Flip pieces and continue grilling until just cooked through, another 4 to 7 minutes. If broiling, arrange a rack 3 to 4 inches from flame. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spread chicken out in a single layer. Broil chicken, turning halfway through cooking, until well colored and charred in spots, 4 to 7 minutes per side. Be careful that it doesn't burn.
• While chicken cooks, place yogurt in a small bowl. Stir in the reserved grated garlic and lemon zest and season to taste with salt. Serve the chicken drizzled with olive oil, remaining lemon juice to taste, black pepper, parsley and sesame seeds and sumac, if using, with the yogurt alongside for dipping.

MIDDLE EASTERN-STYLE GRILLED CHICKEN KABOBS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, olive oil, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper and garlic.
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up. Thread the chicken onto metal skewers, folding if the pieces are long and thin, alternating with the red onions. Be sure not to cram the skewers. (Note: You'll need between 6-8 skewers.) Place the kabobs on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the marinade all over the meat, coating well. Cover and refrigerate at least eight hours or overnight.
• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. To grease the grill, lightly dip a wad of paper towels in vegetable oil and, using tongs, carefully rub over the grates several times until glossy and coated. Grill the chicken kabobs until golden brown and cooked through, turning the skewers occasionally, 13 to 15 minutes. (The yogurt marinade makes these kabobs prone to sticking to the grill grates; if necessary, use a metal BBQ spatula to scrape underneath the kabobs and release them.) Transfer the kabobs to a platter and serve.
• Note: I've specified boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe; they're juicier and more flavorful than chicken breasts, and they work better in this type of yogurt and lemon-based marinade. They're also much easier to cook without drying out.

LEBANESE CHICKEN WITH 7-SPICE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 F (see notes for grilling)
• Place the chicken in a bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and 7-spice mix. Add onion, garlic, preserved lemon and sliced lemon and toss again well. Spread out on a parchment-lined sheet-pan.
• Bake for 35-45 minutes- or until cooked through. Broil for a few minutes to get the skin crispy and nicely golden, turning if necessary (especially if using skin-on chicken)
• While the chicken is baking, warm and toast the almonds/pinenuts in a little butter or olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Place the fragrant chicken on a platter, scattering with the onions and lemon slices (which are edible.) Pour any juices from the pan, over top. Garnish with the toasted nuts and sprinkle with a few parsley leaves.