Azeri Yogurt Marinated Chicken Thighs Recipes

YOGURT MARINATED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl whisk together yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, paprika, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, salt, pepper and cilantro.
• Place chicken in a gallon size resealable freezer bag. Pour yogurt marinade over chicken.
• Seal bag while pressing excess air out. Rub marinade evenly over chicken.
• Let rest in fridge at least 2 hours (or up to 8 hours for breasts, 24 hours for thighs).
• Preheat a gas grill to 425 degrees. Clean grill grates and lightly brush with oil (using a balled up oiled paper towel and long tongs).
• Grill chicken until cooked through (165 on an instant read thermometer in center of thickest portion) about 5 to 7 minutes per side.

YOGURT-MARINATED CHICKEN THIGHS (INDIAN INSPIRED)

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine yogurt, oil, curry powder, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt; mix to combine.
• Add chicken thighs and toss until well-coated.
• Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes. You can also cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours.
• Remove chicken from fridge and let stand for 15 minutes at room temperature.

ZA'ATAR CHICKEN WITH GARLICKY YOGURT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels. Arrange chicken, onions, halved garlic heads, and lemon in a 13x9" baking dish; season liberally with salt (remember to season both sides of chicken). Pour in oil and toss everything to coat. Turn garlic cut side down and nestle it in so it is in contact with the baking dish. Roast, rotating pan halfway through, until meat is almost falling off the bone, 50-60 minutes.
• Meanwhile, finely grate 1 garlic clove into a small bowl. Add yogurt, a big pinch of salt, and 1 Tbsp. water and mix well. Set aside yogurt sauce.
• Remove baking dish from oven and transfer onions, garlic, and lemon to a plate. Increase oven temperature to 425°F and continue to roast chicken until skin is golden brown, 10-15 minutes more. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes. Set aside pan with juices.
• Finely grate remaining garlic clove into another small bowl. Add za'atar, coriander, lemon zest, and lime zest. Pour reserved juices in pan into za'atar mixture until you've reached an oily consistency (about 1/3 cup). Mix in a pinch of salt.
• Spread reserved yogurt sauce over a platter and arrange chicken legs on top. Scatter onions, garlic, and lemon around; drizzle with za'atar oil.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH YOGURT MARINADE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, garlic, oregano, thyme, olive oil, salt and pepper. Zest the lemon over the bowl, reserving the rest of the lemon for serving. Whisk until smooth.
• Add the chicken thighs, toss to coat, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or up to 24. Remove chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking.
• If using a grill, clean and oil the grates. Set the grill to medium-high or heat a grill pan slicked with olive oil on the stovetop over medium-high. Grill the chicken for 6 to 8 minutes on each side (depending on the thickness of the thighs), covering the grill halfway through if necessary to retain heat, until cooked through.
• Transfer the chicken thighs to a platter and squeeze half the lemon over them. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and parsley, and serve with lemon wedges on the side if desired.

TANDOORI -STYLE YOGURT-MARINATED CHICKEN LEGS FOR THE GRILL

Steps:

• In a processor blend 1-1/2 cups plain yogurt with the next 9 ingredients (the lemon juice to cayenne pepper) until smooth and well blended; transfer to a large bowl; mix in the remaining 1 cup yogurt with a wooden spoon.
• Add in the chicken and toss to coat.
• Cover and refrigerate over night.
• Prepare the grill to a medium-high heat.
• Place the marinated-coated chicken on the grill, do not wash off the yogurt marinade, but discard any marinade from the bowl.
• Grill the chicken (about 12-13 minutes per side) basting with melted butter the last 5 minutes of cooking on both sides, season with more salt and pepper if desired while cooking.
• Delicious!