Mid Eastern Chicken Thighs Recipes

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.

RIGATONI WITH CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil and put the rigatoni into it. Cook until al dente (tender firm).
• Heat a large skillet until very hot and then generously drizzle in some olive oil. Swirl to coat the skillet, and then add half of the cut-up chicken pieces, spreading them out as you put them in. NOTE: Do not begin stirring the chicken immediately as you want to get them nice and brown. After a minute or two, flip over the chicken with a spatula and let brown on the other side. Remove to a plate and set aside. Repeat with the second half of the chicken pieces.
• Add a tablespoon or so of olive oil, if needed, into the hot skillet and throw in the garlic and chopped onions and give them a stir. Now add the chicken broth (or wine), whisking to deglaze the bottom of the skillet. Cook until the liquid reduces by half. Add the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste and a pinch of sugar. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add the chicken (and don't forget all of those yummy chicken juices on the plate) to the tomato/onion mixture and continue simmering for another 15 minutes. Toward the end of the cooking process, chop up your fresh basil and add it to the sauce, stirring to combine.
• Put the pasta on a platter or in a large bowl and smother with the sauce. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

BAKED BONELESS CHICKEN THIGHS WITH BAHARAT

Steps:

• Set a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Prepare the marinade. In a large mixing bowl, add the lime juice, olive oil, garlic, tomato paste, Baharat, and red pepper flakes. Mix to combine.
• Season the potatoes with kosher salt and toss them with about ¼ cup of the marinade mixture and arrange them, along with the shallots, in the bottom of a lightly oiled baking pan (I used a 9"x13" cast iron pan).
• Place the baking pan with the potatoes and shallots on the center rack of your heated oven. Bake for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pat the chicken dry and season on both sides with kosher salt, then add the chicken to the mixing bowl and toss until the chicken is well-coated with the marinade. Set aside for 15 minutes or so.
• Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat and add the sesame seeds. Toss constantly until the seeds gain a little color. This will not take long. Sesame seeds burn very easily, so don't leave them unattended. Set aside once toasted.
• Carefully remove the baking pan from the oven and nestle the chicken between the potatoes and shallots. Return the baking pan to the oven and cook for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through.
• Remove from the heat and finish the chicken with a generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and parsley. Enjoy!

MOROCCAN CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first 8 ingredients. Set aside 1 teaspoon spice mixture; add flour to remaining mixture and sprinkle over chicken., In a large nonstick skillet, brown chicken in oil on both sides. Remove and keep warm. Add shallots to the pan; cook and stir over medium heat for 3 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup broth and dates. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; return chicken to the pan., Cover and simmer until chicken juices run clear, 20-25 minutes. Remove chicken and keep warm. Combine flour with reserved 1 teaspoon spice mixture and remaining 2 tablespoons broth until smooth; gradually stir into the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in cilantro., For couscous, in a small saucepan, bring the water, broth, salt and cumin to a boil. Stir in couscous. Cover and remove from the heat; let stand until water is absorbed, 5-10 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then stir in almonds. Serve with chicken and sauce.