This Middle-Eastern inspired chicken with cumin dish is perfect for nights when you want something quick, healthy, and full of flavour. Chicken, lemon and tahini are a pretty standard combination, but the seared cumin and burnt onions add a welcome smokiness to the dish, while chili flakes and crushed pistachios bring a little oomph and just the right amount of crunch!
For those of you not in the know (or maybe just not residents of Toronto) – Taste of Toronto is an annual food festival where chefs and restaurants showcase their skills and offerings via food stalls. And though the event is still in its infancy compared to its sister events in Europe and the United Kingdom, Taste of Toronto 2016 had a smattering of delicious offerings, as well as cooking demonstrations and hands-on classes!
Thanks to the lovely people at Metro Ontario, I was fortunate enough to be in front row of the Metro Master Class taught by Chef Mike Ward - Food Editor-in-Chief at Canadian Living magazine, self-described hypothetical love child of Anthony Bourdain and Martha Stewart, and all-around chill fella who likes to cook good food.
Chef Mike shared his Chicken with Cumin, Tahini, Lemon and Burnt Onions recipe with those of us in his class. Today, I'm recreating the dish for you, giving you some measurements and quantities to work with based on how I personally like to cook it (so adjust if you need to, Bestie), and telling you to enjoy the summer by cooking this meal for some of your best friends.
Metro Ontario were also kind enough to give me a gift bag full of tasty goodies - if you're interested in learning more about that, head on over to my Instagram where've I've put up a few candid photos.
If you happened to enjoy this chicken with cumin recipe…
…Or are looking for quick, easy, and delicious dinner recipes, you’re sure to want to check out:
- Lemon Fettuccine with Garlic Shrimps recipe (It's a perfect summer dish!)
- Chicken with Green Beans and a Sugar Snap Pea Amandine (Easy, healthy, and quick!)
- Filipino Chicken Adobo (It’s a classic, flavourful chicken favourite!)
And… that's all for today folks! If you have any awesome recipes using cumin - chicken, or otherwise - let me know in the comments below, or just comment to say hi. Because it's been far too long since we've said hi to each other. (Hello Bestie, I've missed you!) And just in case you've forgotten where to find me, make sure to Like me on Facebook, Follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter… or just cut out all the middlemen, and subscribe to my Email List using the link at the bottom right of the page.
📖 Recipe
Chicken with Cumin, Tahini, Lemon, and Burnt Onions
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
Description
This Middle-Eastern inspired chicken with cumin dish is perfect for nights when you want something quick, healthy, and full of flavour!
Ingredients
- 1 Large Onion, roughly chopped
- 2 Chicken Breasts
- 4 tbsp Ground Cumin
- ½ Lemon
- 2 tbsp Tahini
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- ¼ cup of Pistachios, chopped/crushed
- Parsley, chopped
- Chilli flakes, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Oil , for cooking
Instructions
- In a medium-hot pan, add onions with a tiny amount of oil. Season with a little salt and pepper. Allow the onions to cook until the edges singe.
- Butterfly chicken breasts (that is, slice it horizontally so that they're half the thickness… but still in one piece), cover with cling film, and bash with a rolling pin (or the bottom of a cold pan) to flatten - until about ½ inch thick. Season one side of each chicken breast with 2tbsp of cumin, and salt and pepper to taste. Season the other side with salt and pepper.
- Mix tahini and olive oil together to form a sauce.
- Cook chicken over a medium heat until golden and cooked through. About 3-5 minutes per side. (Ideally cook the cumin side first.)
- Plate chicken cumin side up. Zest ¼ lemon onto each chicken, followed by a squeeze of lemon juice. Drizzle over the tahini/olive oil mixture. Add chilli flakes, salt, and pepper to taste. And garnish with a sprinkling of parsley and chopped pistachios.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch & Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Jemma
This looks seriously yummy! Chicken works so well with so many different spices.
Riz
I know! Chicken is like magic food. Just works great with everything. 🙂
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
I am always looking for new ways to use tahini, so this looks like something to add to the list!
Riz
Hope you enjoy it!
Prateek
This is a delicious recipe, I love middle eastern flavors but have never combined Tahini with chicken , will definitely try it out. The whole combo is fantastic!
Riz
Thanks Prateek! I hope you like it!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
This looks SO good! Love the flavours!! Have a great weekend 🙂
Riz
Thanks Dawn! Hope you’re having a great weekend too!
Carolyn
I have tahini in my fridge right now! I can’t wait to try this. The spice combination sounds intriguing!
Riz
I hope you enjoyed it Carolyn!!
Maria
Wonderful combination of flavors, love it! Have pinned the mouthwatering pictures to try. Thanks for sharing ♥
Riz
Thank you for the pin Maria!! Hope you enjoy it when you try it!
Cathy
Thank you for sharing a “taste” of Taste of Toronto with the rest of us. Quick, healthy, and full of flavour is how I like to cook! I’m pinning this recipe to try later.
Riz
Happy to share Cathy, it was a fun experience! Thank you for the pin, and hope you enjoy the recipe!
Lily {Gastro Senses}
Perfect nourishing, vibrant plate of goodness.
Riz
Thanks Lily!
Laura
I have this recipe saved! I can’t wait to try it!! What do you serve with it?!? I am trying to figure out a side dish!
Riz
Hi Laura! I usually just have it with a side of veggies, but asparagus or a bit of Turkish bulgur could work too.
Hope you enjoy it!