Spiced Butter Yogurt Chicken over Rice and Onions

Ingredients

• 2 chicken quarters (skin on for crispiness or removed per preference; slits cut into meat)
• 1 onion (sliced thick)
• 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt (part of marinade)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste (part of marinade)
• 1 tsp ginger and garlic paste (can use fresh minced ginger and garlic)
• 0.5 tsp salt (mixed with pepper)
• 0.5 tsp black pepper (mixed with salt)
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (part of spice mix)
• 1 tsp paprika (part of spice mix)
• 1 tsp cumin (part of spice mix)
• 0.5 lemon juice (juice of half a lemon)
• 2 tbsp butter (melted)
• cilantro or parsley (one handful, chopped)
• 2 tbsp cooking oil (for drizzling before cooking)
• 2 cup cooked rice (for serving)

Steps

1. 1

   In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, tomato paste, ginger and garlic paste, salt, pepper, cayenne, paprika, cumin, lemon juice, melted butter, and chopped cilantro or parsley. Mix thoroughly until a smooth marinade forms.

2. 2

   Prepare the chicken quarters. You may remove the skin or leave it on for extra crispiness. Use a sharp knife to make several deep slits or cuts into the meat to allow the marinade to penetrate.

3. 3

   Apply the marinade generously to the chicken quarters, ensuring both the front and back are well-coated and the marinade gets into the slits.

4. 4

   Slice one onion into thick rounds. Arrange the onion slices in a single layer at the bottom of an air fryer basket or an oven-safe tray.

5. 5

   Place the marinated chicken quarters directly on top of the onion slices. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil over the chicken to ensure it stays juicy and the skin crisps well.

6. 6

   Cook in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time.

7. 7

   Monitor the chicken closely during the final minutes of cooking. If the skin appears to be browning too quickly or burning, lower the heat slightly.

8. 8

   Once the chicken is cooked through and the onions are tender, serve immediately over a bed of warm rice.

Notes

Tip: For the best results, let the chicken marinate for a while before cooking. You can also brush the chicken with extra butter or ghee halfway through for added richness. If using an oven instead of an air fryer, you may need to increase the cook time by 10-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• chicken
• high-protein
• air-fryer
• healthy
• dinner
• easy