I absolutely love Turkish food, and this Turkish Style Chicken recipe is one of my all-time favorites. It’s full of bold flavors, and the chicken turns out so tender and juicy. I make this dish often, and it’s always a hit with my family. I usually serve it with a delicious bulgur pilav (I’ll share that recipe soon), but you can pair it with whatever you like. I promise this recipe will quickly become a go-to in your kitchen!
Method
To start, prepare the marinade for the chicken. In a large bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients: 1 tablespoon of mild red pepper paste, 1 tablespoon of tomato purée, 2 tablespoons of natural yogurt, the juice of half a lemon, 5 minced garlic cloves, 3-4 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley, 1 small grated onion, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon each of cumin powder, ground black pepper, and paprika, 1 teaspoon of red chili flakes, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Mix all the ingredients together until they are well combined, creating a flavorful paste. Now, take your chicken legs and make a few slits into each piece to allow the marinade to soak in better. Place the chicken in a large ovenproof dish and coat each piece thoroughly with the marinade. Add the whole sweet peppers around the chicken, ensuring they are covered as well. Once everything is well coated, cover the dish and refrigerate for at least an hour. For the best results, let the chicken marinate overnight, which will allow the flavors to infuse deeply into the meat.
When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C for fan ovens) or gas mark 5. Before placing the chicken in the oven, add ¼ cup of water to the bottom of the dish to ensure that the chicken stays moist during cooking. Bake the chicken for about 40-45 minutes. Halfway through the baking time, use a basting brush to baste the chicken with the marinade to keep it juicy and flavorful. If you notice the marinade starting to stick or burn on the sides, simply add a little more water to the dish to prevent any charring. Continue to bake the chicken until it becomes golden brown on the outside and is fully cooked on the inside.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Serve it up with your favorite sides, like bulgur pilav, fresh cucumber and tomato salad, or Turkish bread. The juicy, tender chicken, combined with the rich spices from the marinade, will surely become a favorite at your dinner table.
Necessary Tools
- Large bowl for the marinade
- Ovenproof dish or baking tray
- Basting brush
- Knife and chopping board
Turkish Style Chicken
Cuisine: TurkishDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes45
minutes1
hourIngredients
5-6 chicken legs (skin on), cut a few slits into each piece
Sweet peppers, whole (however many you like)
For the marinade:
1 tbsp mild red pepper paste (a Turkish brand)
1 tbsp tomato purée
2 tbsp natural yogurt
1/2 lemon, juiced
5 garlic cloves, minced
3-4 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 small onion, grated
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp red chili flakes
1/2 tsp salt
Directions
- Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the marinade red pepper paste, tomato purée, yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, onion, olive oil, cumin, black pepper, paprika, chili flakes, and salt. Mix well. Place the chicken legs in an ovenproof dish and coat them evenly with the marinade. Add the whole sweet peppers into the dish. Cover it and refrigerate for at least an hour, but if you can, let it marinate overnight for the best flavor.
- Bake the chicken: Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C for fan ovens) or gas mark 5. Add a 1/4 cup of water to the dish to keep things moist while baking. Bake the chicken for 40-45 minutes, basting halfway through. If you notice the marinade starting to stick or burn, simply add a little more water to the dish.
- Serve and enjoy: Once the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, take it out of the oven. Serve it with some bulgur pilav, Turkish bread, or any sides you love. Enjoy the flavorful, juicy chicken!
Notes
- Basting: Make sure to baste the chicken halfway through the cooking process to keep it juicy and prevent it from drying out.
- Water level: If the marinade starts sticking to the dish or burning, don’t hesitate to add a little extra water to the bottom of the dish. This will keep everything from burning while still helping the chicken cook perfectly.
- Over-marinating: If you leave the chicken to marinate for too long (over 24 hours), the yogurt and acid from the lemon can start to break down the meat too much, making it a bit mushy. Stick to the recommended marination time for the best texture!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this Turkish Style Chicken with a side of bulgur pilav (I’ll share that recipe soon!).
- Pair it with a fresh Cucumber and Tomato Salad for a refreshing contrast to the spicy chicken.
- Add some pita bread or Turkish flatbread to soak up the delicious juices.
Fun Fact
Did you know that Turkish cuisine is known for its incredible use of fresh herbs and spices? Ingredients like cumin, paprika, and garlic are staples in Turkish dishes, adding a ton of flavor to simple meals.
Conclusion
This Turkish Style Chicken is a delicious and easy dinner option that’s bursting with flavors from the Mediterranean. It’s perfect for weeknight meals or weekend get-togethers. I love how juicy and flavorful the chicken is, and I’m sure you will too. Whether you pair it with a side of bulgur pilav, salad, or bread, this meal is sure to be a family favorite. Try it out and let me know what you think! Happy cooking!
