Description
Tender, shreddable chicken infused with warm spices, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.2 kg (2.5 lb) chicken thighs, bone-in or boneless
- 60 ml (4 tbsp) olive oil
- 60 ml (4 tbsp) lemon juice
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) white vinegar
- 8 cloves garlic, minced (~24 g)
- 15 g (1 tbsp) ground cumin
- 10 g (2 tsp) ground coriander
- 10 g (2 tsp) smoked paprika
- 5 g (1 tsp) ground turmeric
- 1 g (1/4 tsp) ground cinnamon
- 9 g (1 1/2 tsp) salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2–1 tsp Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes (optional)
- 120 g (1/2 cup) plain yogurt or tahini (for sauce)
Instructions
- Toast and grind the spices: Toast cumin and coriander seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, then grind or use pre-ground spices and stir with paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
- Make the marinade: In a bowl combine olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, minced garlic, and the spice mix. Whisk until emulsified.
- Coat the chicken and arrange in the slow cooker: Pat chicken thighs dry and rub the marinade over each piece. Place skin-side down in an even layer.
- Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours until chicken reaches 74°C (165°F) internal temp.
- Shred and broil for char: Transfer cooked chicken to a rimmed baking sheet, shred with forks, toss with olive oil and broil for 2–3 minutes until edges char.
- Make the garlic-yogurt sauce (optional): Whisk yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and water to thin, then chill.
- Serve: Serve on warm pita, rice, or greens with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and pickles. Drizzle sauce and finish with a squeeze of lemon.
Notes
For a dairy-free version, replace yogurt with tahini. Make ahead and refrigerate shredded chicken for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
