Description
How to make Turkish chicken with yogurt, garlic and herbs in a luscious white sauce that brings restaurant flavors to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
Creamy White Sauce
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Garnish and Serving
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Mix chicken pieces with yogurt, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika in a bowl. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes while you prep other ingredients – longer is even better.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.
- Make Roux: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Build Sauce: Gradually whisk in chicken broth, then cream, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, and garlic powder. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes, whisking frequently.
- Combine Everything: Return chicken to the skillet and simmer in the creamy sauce for 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- Finish Dish: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Remove from heat and stir in fresh chopped parsley just before serving for that perfect pop of color.
Notes
- Don’t skip the marinating time – it makes the chicken incredibly tender and flavorful.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Substitute dried herbs with fresh at a 3:1 ratio for even more vibrant flavor.
- Serve immediately for best texture, as the sauce thickens as it cools.
- Double the recipe easily for meal prep or larger families.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 385 calories
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Protein: 36g