Sizzling Mediterranean Chicken with Basmati Rice: Your Ultimate Summer Grilling Recipe
Prepare to elevate your summer dining with this incredible Mediterranean Chicken with Basmati Rice recipe. Featuring succulent chicken drumsticks marinated in a rich, warm, and aromatic yogurt sauce, then perfectly grilled, this dish is a true celebration of Mediterranean flavors. It’s elegantly paired with a fragrant herbed basmati rice, studded with toasted vermicelli and sweet dried cranberries, and crowned with a vibrant, fresh tabbouleh. This combination creates a healthy, flavorful, and unforgettable meal that’s perfect for warm evenings and outdoor gatherings.
The Allure of Mediterranean Grilling
Grilling season is synonymous with summer joy, and for good reason! There’s nothing quite like the sizzle of food over an open flame, the aroma filling the backyard, and the relaxed atmosphere of outdoor dining. It’s not just about the delicious flavors; it’s also about the convenience – fewer dirty dishes and more quality time spent enjoying the beautiful weather. This Mediterranean Chicken recipe perfectly embodies all the best aspects of summer grilling, bringing vibrant flavors to your table with minimal fuss.
Why Yogurt Marinades are a Game-Changer
When it comes to grilling meat, especially chicken, marinading is a crucial step. It infuses the meat with incredible flavor, helps retain moisture, and significantly tenderizes the protein. Among the many types of marinades, yogurt marinades stand out, particularly for Mediterranean-inspired dishes. The lactic acid in yogurt gently breaks down the chicken fibers, resulting in exceptionally tender and juicy meat. Plain yogurt is my go-to choice, providing a creamy base that allows the spices to truly shine. However, if you prefer a slightly tangier flavor profile, Greek yogurt makes an excellent alternative.
A Symphony of Mediterranean Spices
The heart of this Mediterranean Chicken lies in its rich, warm spice blend. This recipe features a harmonious mix of cinnamon, cumin, paprika, nutmeg, and cardamom. Each spice plays a vital role:
- Cumin: Adds an earthy, warm, and slightly pungent flavor that is quintessential to Middle Eastern cuisine.
- Paprika: Contributes a sweet, peppery note and a beautiful reddish hue to the chicken.
- Cayenne Red Pepper: Provides a subtle kick of heat, balancing the warmth of the other spices without overpowering the dish.
- Cardamom: Offers a unique, aromatic, and slightly citrusy sweetness that is incredibly fragrant.
- Nutmeg: Brings a warm, slightly nutty, and sweet undertone, often found in both savory and sweet dishes in the region.
- Cinnamon: Lends a delicate, sweet, and woody aroma, proving that this spice isn’t just for desserts.
Together with fresh garlic, salt, and pepper, these spices create a deeply complex and inviting marinade that transforms simple chicken into a culinary masterpiece. Allowing the chicken to marinate, ideally overnight, ensures these flavors fully penetrate the meat, promising an explosion of taste with every bite.
Choosing Your Chicken: Quality Matters
For this recipe, we opt for tender and flavorful chicken drumsticks. Their dark meat remains juicy and forgiving on the grill, absorbing the marinade beautifully. While drumsticks are fantastic, this versatile yogurt marinade would also work wonderfully with chicken thighs or even boneless, skinless chicken breasts (adjusting cooking times accordingly). The key to an outstanding dish often starts with the quality of your ingredients.
Our Partner: Just BARE Chicken
We are delighted to continue our partnership with Just BARE Chicken this year. Just BARE is a brand we deeply appreciate for several reasons, particularly their commitment to raising chickens without antibiotics and feeding them an all-vegetable and grain diet. This ensures a wholesome and flavorful product that we feel good about serving our family.
Responsible Sourcing: From Farm to Table
At Just BARE, there’s a strong ethical obligation to ensure the wellbeing and humane care of their chickens. Their policy is clear and unwavering: zero tolerance for any abuse or mistreatment. This dedication extends from breeding and hatching to processing, ensuring that responsible animal welfare practices are maintained throughout. We are also particularly impressed that Just BARE is certified under the American Humane Certified® Farm Program every single year. This commitment gives us peace of mind and allows us to focus on creating delicious meals knowing our ingredients are sourced responsibly. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for families with children to discuss where their food comes from and foster a deeper appreciation for the journey from farm to table.
Crafting the Perfect Basmati Rice Pilaf
To complement the richly flavored Mediterranean chicken, we’ve prepared a fragrant basmati rice pilaf, inspired by a beloved family recipe often referred to as Lebanese Pilaf. This isn’t just plain rice; it’s a dish with depth and texture.
The Art of Lebanese-Style Rice
Our pilaf begins by gently softening basmati rice along with fine vermicelli pasta (or finely broken angel hair pasta) and chopped sweet onion in a touch of butter or ghee. This initial sautéing step is crucial for developing a nutty flavor and ensuring individual, fluffy grains of rice. Once cooked, the rice is transformed with the vibrant addition of freshly chopped parsley and sweet dried cranberries. The cranberries add a delightful burst of sweetness and a chewy texture, creating a wonderful contrast to the savory chicken. If cranberries aren’t your preference, feel free to substitute with raisins or golden raisins, or omit the dried fruit entirely for a simpler version. This flavorful rice forms the ideal bed for the grilled chicken, soaking up all the delicious juices.
Fresh Toppings: The Tabbouleh Touch
To complete this fresh summer meal, we top the grilled chicken with a generous serving of homemade tabbouleh. This classic Middle Eastern salad, with its vibrant mix of fresh parsley, mint, tomatoes, and a bright lemon-olive oil dressing, provides a refreshing counterpoint to the warm spices of the chicken and rice. If you’re short on time or prefer a simpler approach, you can create a quick “mock tabbouleh” by simply chopping fresh tomatoes, parsley, and mint, then tossing them with a squeeze of lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil. This quick topping still delivers that essential burst of freshness and acidity that elevates the entire dish.
Grilling Tips for Juicy Chicken
Achieving perfectly grilled chicken is easier than you think. First, always brush your grill grates thoroughly with olive oil to prevent sticking, especially with marinated meats. Preheat your grill to a moderate temperature, around 300-350°F (150-175°C). This allows the chicken to cook through evenly without burning the exterior. Place the marinated drumsticks on the preheated grates, turning them every few minutes to ensure uniform cooking and beautiful grill marks. The most important step is to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Chicken drumsticks should reach an internal temperature of 180°F (82°C) in the thickest part. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is incredibly tender and moist.
Serving Suggestions & Meal Customization
This Mediterranean Chicken with Basmati Rice is a complete meal in itself, but it also pairs wonderfully with additional sides to create a true feast. Consider serving it with a dollop of creamy hummus, extra plain yogurt, or warm pita bread for dipping. A simple green salad or a cucumber and tomato salad would also be excellent choices. For those who enjoy a little extra tang, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the finished dish can brighten all the flavors. This recipe is also highly adaptable; feel free to experiment with different vegetables on the grill alongside the chicken, such as bell peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes, for an even more vibrant presentation.
A fresh, flavorful, and satisfying summer meal doesn’t get much better than this. Enjoy the rich aromas and delightful tastes of the Mediterranean right in your own backyard!
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Mediterranean Chicken with Basmati Rice
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Ingredients
- 1 cup yogurt , {you can use Greek yogurt for a tangier sauce}
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne red pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 garlic , grated
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1.25 pounds Chicken Drumsticks, Just BARE
- 2 Tablespoons butter , or ghee
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1/2 cup vermicelli , {or you can use finely broken angel hair pasta}
- 1/4 cup sweet onions, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 Tablespoon parsley, freshly chopped
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries , {you can also use raisins or golden raisins}
Instructions
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Put the chicken drumsticks in a large Ziploc bag. In a medium mixing bowl add the yogurt, cumin, paprika, cayenne red pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
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Pour the yogurt marinade over the chicken, seal the bag making sure to let out any air and use your hands to massage the marinade into the chicken, making sure to coat all of the chicken.
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Put the Ziploc bag on a baking sheet or a big plate and refrigerate for 1 hour, or ideally overnight.
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Be sure to brush your grill grate with olive oil to prevent any sticking. Heat the grill to 300-350°F.
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Remove chicken from the Ziploc bag and place on the grates and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 180°F making sure to turn a few times so they evenly cook. Remove and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
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In a large pot, heat the 2 Tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the basmati rice, vermicelli and onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until the onions begins to soften.
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Add the water according to the basmati rice instructions {for me I used 1 cup water and 1 cup chicken broth} and the salt and pepper.
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Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the rice is tender.
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Using a fork, fluff the rice. Stir in the fresh parsley and dried cranberries.
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Serve the Mediterranean Chicken over a bed of the basmati rice and top with fresh tabbouleh. Enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to use raisins or golden raisins instead of the dried cranberries in the basmati rice or you can leave it out all together.
- For the chicken, I use plain yogurt but you could use Greek yogurt for a slightly tangy marinade.
- I top our chicken with fresh tabbouleh. If you don’t want to make actual tabbouleh using bulgur wheat you could just chop up some fresh tomatoes, parsley and mint and a squeeze of lemon juice and use that as the topping.
- This marinade would also work great on chicken thighs or chicken breasts at equal weight {1.25 pounds}.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Today’s post is in partnership with Just BARE chicken. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting the brands and companies that make it possible for me to continue creating delicious recipes for you!