Name: Spicy Tarragon Yogurt Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 145 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 bunch fresh tarragon sprigs, leaves only; 0.5 cup plain Greek-style yogurt; 0.25 cup harissa sauce (see footnote for recipe link); 2 tablespoons vinegar or citrus juice; 2 garlic cloves, peeled; 1 tablespoon ground cumin; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 4 large chicken breast halves

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

This recipe is scaled from its original version, which yields 6 servings. Ingredient amounts will adjust automatically, but cooking times and preparation steps remain the same.

1 bunch fresh tarragon sprigs, plus extra for garnish
cup plain Greek-style yogurt
cup harissa sauce, plus extra for garnish
2 tablespoons vinegar or citrus juice
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 large chicken breasts

Directions

Step 1: Set aside 4 tarragon sprigs for garnish. Strip the leaves from the remaining sprigs and place them in a blender.

Step 2: Add the Greek yogurt, harissa sauce, vinegar, garlic, cumin, and kosher salt to the blender. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.

Step 3: Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, making sure both sides are well coated. Cover the dish and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.

Step 4: Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grill grate.

Step 5: Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Discard the remaining marinade.

Step 6: Grill the chicken until dark grill marks appear, about 7 minutes per side. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 165F (74C).

Step 7: Serve the grilled chicken garnished with the reserved tarragon sprigs and a drizzle of harissa sauce.

Chef's Tip

Any plain yogurt works, but Greek-style yogurt adds a creamier, tangier flavor. Do not marinate the chicken for more than 3 hours, as the yogurts enzymes can alter the texture of the meat.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories: 316
Fat: 7g
Carbohydrates: 3g
Protein: 57g
Cholesterol: 152mg
Sodium: 1281mg
Vitamin C: 15mg
Calcium: 87mg
Iron: 3mg
Potassium: 577mg

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values may vary depending on your personal calorie needs.

Comments

Justin Sanchez

12/12/2022 10:22:08 AM

Flawless! I didn't have coriander and cardamom seeds for the harissa sauce, but a mixture of cilantro, dill, and parsley worked like a charm. During the winter, I prefer baking instead of grilling, and I followed another user's advice by baking at 400 degrees for 25 minutes, covered. Even my 2-year-old and 3-year-old enjoyed this dish.

Alexander Diaz

06/25/2023 01:10:53 PM

I usually don't write reviews, but this chicken dish is truly outstanding. It's among the best I've ever tasted on this platform. Instead of making my own Harissa sauce, I opted for Shiloh's Spicy Harissa Sauce, and it was a brilliant choice. The sauce was so delicious that I'm grateful I made a double batch. I even simmered the extra sauce for about 10 minutes to have more to drizzle over the chicken. I'm already looking forward to making it again!

Jason Taylor

10/29/2022 10:21:41 AM

I absolutely adore this chicken dish - it's so juicy and tender! I often tweak the ingredients based on what I have available. For my version, I used lime juice instead of the usual acid, dried tarragon, Asian Sriracha hot chili sauce, and buttermilk, along with garlic, cumin, and salt. I followed the grilling instructions and the result was just fantastic! This method of grilling chicken is hands down the most flavorful and juicy one I've tried so far.

Michelle Lewis

11/08/2022 05:52:18 AM

This meal was absolutely amazing! Huge thanks to Chef John for the fantastic recipe. I prepared it for six people and baked it at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. According to my husband, this is now in the Top 5 of my best meals ever! :) And a big shoutout to Rex Hutcheson for recommending Chef John's Braised Black Lentils - they were a perfect complement to the main dish!

Alexander Cruz

03/16/2023 10:22:29 AM

WOW!! I absolutely loved this dish from start to finish. I followed the directions precisely, but I opted for pre-tenderized chicken breasts. Even though I didn't have fresh tarragon on hand and used dried instead, the flavor was fantastic. I am a huge fan of Harissa and have been seeking recipes to include it in, and this one did not disappoint. I paired the dish with pine nut couscous, grilled asparagus, goat cheese, and a splash of lemon juice and olive oil. It was absolutely delicious!