Spicy Yogurt Marinated Chicken with Dill Feta Cream
Spicy Yogurt Marinated Chicken with Dill Feta Cream is a vibrant and creamy dish featuring tender chicken breasts marinated in a zesty, spiced yogurt blend. Paired with a cooling dill and feta cream sauce, this recipe offers a perfect balance of bold flavors and fresh herbs, ideal for flavorful weeknight dinners or elegant entertaining.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 24 minutes (including marinating time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking or Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat recommended)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika (or smoked paprika for variation)
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Dill Feta Cream Sauce
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well blended to create a flavorful marinade that tenderizes the chicken.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish and coat them generously with the prepared yogurt marinade. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to permeate the meat deeply.
- Cook the Chicken: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) or heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Prepare the Dill Feta Cream: While the chicken cooks, mix crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh dill, Greek yogurt, and lemon juice in a bowl. Stir until the sauce is creamy and well combined, balancing salty feta with fresh herbs.
- Serve Together: Plate the warm spicy yogurt marinated chicken, then dollop generously with dill feta cream. Garnish with extra fresh dill if desired, and serve immediately to enjoy the full burst of flavors.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken overnight for enhanced tenderness and deeper flavor infusion.
- Use full-fat Greek yogurt to achieve the creamiest texture and richest flavor.
- Allow cooked chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in juices.
- Adjust cayenne and paprika quantities according to your preferred spice level.
- Fresh dill is preferred for the best brightness in the feta cream sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: spicy chicken, yogurt marinated chicken, feta cream sauce, dill chicken, Mediterranean chicken, healthy chicken recipe
