Description
A healthy and satisfying Mediterranean chicken dish paired with creamy tzatziki and fluffy couscous, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
- 4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680g)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (120g)
- ½ medium cucumber, grated and drained
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped (optional)
- 1 cup couscous (175g)
- 1 ¼ cups chicken broth or water (300ml)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (150g, optional)
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, whisk together minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken breasts and coat evenly. Cover and marinate at room temperature for at least 10 minutes or refrigerate up to 2 hours.
- Prepare the tzatziki: Grate cucumber and squeeze out excess liquid. In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, chopped dill, chopped mint (if using), a pinch of salt, and a drizzle of olive oil. Mix until smooth and refrigerate.
- Cook the couscous: Bring chicken broth or water to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in couscous, cover tightly, remove from heat, and let steam for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in cherry tomatoes and red onion. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a non-stick skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken breasts 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and serve: Let chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice. Plate with couscous and dollop with tzatziki. Garnish with lemon wedge and fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
[‘Marinate chicken for at least 10 minutes; longer marinating (up to 2 hours) improves flavor and tenderness.’, ‘Drain grated cucumber well to avoid watery tzatziki.’, ‘Heat pan properly to get a golden crust on chicken without drying it out.’, ‘Fluff couscous with a fork to keep grains light and separate.’, ‘Use fresh herbs for best flavor; if unavailable, double dried herbs.’, ‘Let chicken rest before slicing to retain juices.’, ‘Make extra tzatziki for use as a dip or salad dressing.’]
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe (1 chicke
- Calories: 400
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken, tzatziki, couscous, healthy dinner, easy recipe, Greek yogurt, lemon chicken, weeknight meal