Sumac Chicken

Sumac Chicken

4 servings
Sumac chicken delivers on earthy, tangy flavors with a garlicky, lemon yogurt sauce as a fast and effortless dipping sauce.

Ingredients

  • ground sumac

    plus more for garnish

    1 ½ tsp.
  • garlic powder
    1 tsp.
  • ground cumin
    ½ tsp.
  • ground aleppo pepper
    ½ tsp.
  • kosher salt

    divided

    1 ¾ tsp.
  • bone-in

    skin-on chicken thighs, trimmed

    4
  • olive oil
    2 tbsp.
  • whole-milk strained yogurt

    greek-style

    ½ c
  • fresh lemon juice

    from 1 lemon

    1 tbsp.
  • garlic clove

    grated, 1/2 tsp.

    1 medium
  • thinly sliced red onion
  • chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • grated lemon zest

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 400℉. Stir together sumac, garlic powder, cumin, Aleppo pepper, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt. Pat chicken thighs dry using a paper towel. Evenly sprinkle and rub spice mixture onto both sides of thighs.

  2. 2

    Add oil to a large ovenproof skillet. Place thighs, skin side down, in cold skillet. Cook over medium, undisturbed, until skin easily releases from skillet and is deeply golden brown, about 20 minutes.

  3. 3

    Flip thighs, and transfer skillet to oven; bake in preheated oven until a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of thighs registers 165℉, 10 to 13 minutes.

  4. 4

    Stir together yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Spread yogurt mixture evenly over a platter, and place thighs on top. Garnish with red onion, parsley, zest, and additional sumac.

Sumac Chicken

Sumac Chicken

5.0(3)50 min4 servings

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Ratings & Reviews

0.0/ 5
Exceptional

Based on 3 ratings

southernliving.com
5.0(3 reviews)
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About this Recipe

Craving an incredibly flavorful yet surprisingly quick weeknight meal? This Sumac Chicken recipe delivers on earthy, tangy tastes with a vibrant, garlicky lemon yogurt sauce that's ready in just 50 minutes.

The magic of this dish lies in the aromatic spice blend featuring sumac, garlic powder, cumin, and aleppo pepper, perfectly complementing the rich, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Paired with a simple, zesty lemon-garlic yogurt sauce, it's a balanced meal that feels special without the fuss.

What to Expect You'll be treated to tender, juicy chicken, imbued with a complex, slightly sour and earthy flavor profile from the sumac, enhanced by the subtle warmth of aleppo pepper and cumin. The skin, crisp from roasting, will provide a delightful textural contrast. Drizzle generously with the creamy, tangy whole-milk strained yogurt sauce, brightened by fresh lemon and sharp grated garlic, which beautifully cuts through the richness of the chicken. Finished with fresh flat-leaf parsley, bright lemon zest, and thinly sliced red onion, each bite is a burst of Mediterranean-inspired taste that's both comforting and exciting, making it an excellent entree for any occasion.

Customization & Variations While bone-in, skin-on thighs offer the most flavor and moisture, you could adapt this recipe using boneless, skinless chicken thighs or even chicken breasts, though cooking times would vary. For an extra layer of heat, a pinch more ground aleppo pepper can be added to the spice rub. If fresh lemon isn't available for the sauce, a good quality bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, though fresh is always recommended for the brightest flavor.

Serving & Context This Sumac Chicken is perfect for a comforting family dinner or a casual gathering. Serve it alongside a simple green salad or fluffy couscous for a complete and satisfying meal, garnishing with extra sumac, parsley, and lemon zest for a beautiful presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions