Sesame Seed Chicken a Turkish Meze
Elevate your mezze spread with this irresistible Sesame Seed Chicken, a Turkish-inspired delight that combines tender marinated chicken with the nutty crunch of golden-toasted sesame seeds. Infused with a vibrant blend of lemon, garlic, cumin, and paprika, this dish bursts with bold Mediterranean flavors in every bite. The chicken is pan-seared to perfection, creating a crispy sesame coating that pairs beautifully with the creamy yogurt dipping sauce enhanced by fresh dill and optional tangy sumac. Ready in just 30 minutes, this versatile recipe can be served warm or at room temperature, making it perfect as an appetizer, party snack, or part of a larger Turkish mezze platter.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 g Chicken breast
- 2 Garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Ground black pepper
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 100 g Sesame seeds
- 200 g Plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp Fresh dill
- 0.5 tsp Ground sumac (optional)
Instructions
Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and set aside in a mixing bowl.
Finely mince the garlic and add it to the chicken along with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, ground black pepper, ground cumin, and paprika. Mix well to coat all the chicken pieces evenly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes (or up to 1 hour for deeper flavor).
Toast the sesame seeds in a dry frying pan over medium heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
Dredge the marinated chicken pieces in the toasted sesame seeds, pressing gently to ensure the seeds stick to the surface.
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it with a small amount of olive oil. Cook the sesame-coated chicken pieces in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden and fully cooked through.
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the dipping sauce by combining plain yogurt, finely chopped fresh dill, and ground sumac (if using) in a small bowl. Stir well to mix.
Transfer the cooked sesame seed chicken to a serving platter and serve alongside the yogurt dipping sauce. Enjoy this meze warm or at room temperature as part of a mezze spread.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
464 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 28.1 g | 36% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.3 g | 26% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 111 mg | 37% | |
| Sodium | 628 mg | 27% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 7.2 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.5 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.6 g | ||
| Protein | 46.9 g | 94% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.7 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 149 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 3.1 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 589 mg | 13% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
