Yogurt Chicken Thighs

Yogurt chicken thighs are a simple and tasty dish, perfect for a meal with a hint of freshness given by the yogurt. Let’s see how to prepare them together.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs
• 250 g of natural yogurt (Greek is better for a creamier consistency)
• 2 cloves of garlic
• The juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh or dried aromatic herbs to taste (e.g. rosemary, thyme)

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, mix the yogurt with the finely chopped garlic, lemon juice, paprika, turmeric, cumin, a pinch of salt and pepper, and the aromatic herbs of your choice.
2. Submerge the chicken thighs in the obtained marinade, making sure they are completely covered by the mixture. If possible, make cuts in the thighs to allow the flavors to penetrate better.
3. Let the chicken marinate in the yogurt in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, but ideally overnight.
4. Pre-heat the oven to 200 °C.
5. Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade (but do not discard it) and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, drizzling with a stream of extra virgin olive oil.
6. Bake and cook for about 40-45 minutes or until the chicken is well browned and cooked to the right point. During cooking, baste the thighs with the remaining marinade from time to time to keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
7. Serve the chicken thighs hot, perhaps accompanied by a fresh salad or grilled vegetables.

Curiosity

Yogurt is used in various cuisines around the world as a marinade for meat because it tenderizes the meat thanks to the lactic enzymes that act on the proteins, in addition to giving a unique taste and being an excellent base for spices.

Do you want to serve this dish in the most traditionally Italian way possible? Add a touch of oregano or fresh basil at the end of cooking and try to use an Italian yogurt for a flavor that recalls our land.