Mediterranean Bang Bang Chicken

This Mediterranean Bang Bang Chicken has a tender and juicy texture. We prepare this chicken with olive oil, smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, garlic, lemon juice, Greek yogurt, chicken breast, tahini, sweet chili sauce, honey, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, parsley, and feta cheese. This chicken has approximately 420 calories and 12 g of net carbs. We make this chicken in about 30 minutes. This Mediterranean Bang Bang Chicken is ideal for family dinners, quick weeknight meals, meal prep, casual gatherings, lunch, and Mediterranean-inspired meals. You can prepare the chicken earlier because we refrigerate it for 4 days and freeze the cooked chicken for almost 3 months. You can serve this chicken with Lemon Herb Quinoa, Greek Cucumber Salad, Roasted Zucchini, Mediterranean Couscous, or Brown Rice Pilaf.

STATS:

• Course: Main Course
• No. of Calories: 420 kcal
• Diet: Mediterranean
• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cuisine: Mediterranean, American
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Portion size: 1¼ cups
• Cooking mode: Stovetop
• Total servings: 4
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Total time: 30 minutes

TOOLS:

• Bowls
• Cutting Board
• Knife
• Measuring Spoons
• Skillet
• Spatula
• Tongs

INGREDIENTS:

CHICKEN:

• 1½ lb chicken breast
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp oregano
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

BANG BANG SAUCE:

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp tahini
• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 garlic clove
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp water

TOPPINGS:

• ¼ cup parsley
• ½ cucumber
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• ¼ cup Kalamata olives
• 2 tbsp feta cheese
• Lemon wedges

INGREDIENT NOTES AND THEIR SUBSTITUTIONS:

CHICKEN BREAST:

• We use chicken breast to provide a tender, lean, and protein-rich base for this recipe.

OLIVE OIL:

• We use olive oil to provide healthy fats and classic Mediterranean flavor.

TAHINI:

• Tahini adds a rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture to the sauce. As an alternative, you can use unsweetened almond butter.

HONEY:

• Honey balances the spicy and tangy flavors of the sauce. Maple syrup or agave syrup can be used instead.

KALAMATA OLIVES:

• Kalamata olives provide a salty and savory Mediterranean flavor.

FETA CHEESE:

• Feta provides a creamy and tangy Mediterranean finish. Goat cheese can be used or the feta can simply be omitted.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. First, toss the chicken with olive oil, salt, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, pepper, and lemon juice.
2. Whisk Greek yogurt, tahini, sweet chili sauce, lemon juice, honey, garlic, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, and olive oil to make the smooth mixture.
3. We heat the skillet & cook chicken for almost five minutes.
4. When the chicken temperature get 165°F then reduce the flame to low and toss the chicken with half bang bang sauce.
5. Put the chicken in the dish and drizzle remaining sauce on top.
6. Garnish the meal with parsley, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, feta, and lemon wedges then serve.

TIPS:

• Cut the chicken in uniform pieces so they cook uniformly at a similar time.
• To get better browning, dry the chicken well then season it.
• Avoid putting too many ingredients in the skillet so they cook better.
• Adjust red pepper flakes in the dish as per your spice preference.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

GRAINS & SIDES:

• Lemon Herb Quinoa
• Brown Rice Pilaf
• Bulgur Wheat
• Mediterranean Couscous
• Whole-Wheat Pita

SALADS:

• Greek Cucumber Salad
• Tomato Feta Salad
• Tabbouleh
• Mediterranean Chopped Salad
• Arugula Salad

VEGETABLES:

• Roasted Zucchini
• Grilled Eggplant
• Garlic Green Beans
• Roasted Bell Peppers
• Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

• Put the cooked chicken in a closed dish and stock it for almost 1 to 3 days.

FREEZER:

• Store the cooked chicken without the sauce for just two months.

FAQs:

May we prepare this chicken less spicy?

• Yes, you can decrease or skip the red pepper flakes and utilize mild sweet chili sauce.

Could we prepare this chicken beforehand?

• Yes, you can make the chicken and sauce separately, mix them and then serve.

Could we skip the tahini?

• Yes, you can use an extra amount of Greek yogurt as an alternative to tahini to make a lighter sauce.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Proteins: 46 g

Caloric Content: 420 kcal

Net carbs: 12 g

Sodium: 690 mg

Fiber: 2 g

Sugar: 8 g

Fats: 19 g

Portion Size: 1¼ cups

Total carbs: 14 g