This post is sponsored by Holland House Cooking Wines.
Embark on a culinary journey to the Mediterranean with this exquisite Greek Tahini Chicken with Cucumber, Tomato, and Lemon Orzo Salad. Imagine tender, smoky chicken thighs, expertly marinated and grilled to perfection, then drizzled with a rich, creamy tahini sauce. Paired with a vibrant salad of crisp cucumber and juicy tomatoes, all resting on a bed of fluffy, bright lemon-parsley orzo, this dish is a symphony of flavors and textures. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience that brings the warmth and freshness of summer directly to your plate, promising nutritious, hearty goodness that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
A Beloved Family Favorite: Grilled Tahini Chicken
As my daughter celebrates her third birthday today, I find myself reflecting on the joy and challenges of cooking for a family, especially for the world’s pickiest eater. Yet, there’s one culinary triumph that consistently wins her approval: my husband’s grilled chicken. There’s something magical about food cooked over an open flame that even the most discerning palates can’t resist. This particular recipe, featuring succulent tahini-marinated chicken, has quickly ascended to the top of our family’s favorite dishes. Its tender texture and rich flavor make it a hit every time. Now, if only I could get her to embrace the colorful array of fresh vegetables that accompany it with the same enthusiasm!
The Simplicity and Joy of All-in-One Dinners
With tiny hands eager to help in the kitchen, I’ve rediscovered my love for weeknight cooking. This renewed passion is especially strong when I can create an all-in-one meal that requires minimal thought for side dishes, streamlining both preparation and cleanup. These types of meals are my absolute favorite, delivering a complete, balanced plate with less effort and less mess. This Greek Tahini Chicken with Lemon Orzo Salad truly embodies my summertime dinner dreams. The harmonious blend of smoky, savory chicken, sweet cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and the bright, fluffy lemon-parsley orzo is pure culinary bliss. And when topped with a generous drizzle of the reserved tahini-garlic marinade, which cleverly doubles as a creamy dressing, you’re not just serving dinner; you’re serving a slice of heaven.
Let’s dive into the details of this spectacular meal!
Unlocking Mediterranean Flavor: The Essential Tahini Marinade
The secret to this chicken’s incredible tenderness and depth of flavor lies in its simple yet potent marinade. At its heart is tahini, a creamy sesame seed paste that lends a wonderfully nutty and rich undertone, a hallmark of Mediterranean cuisine. Beyond its distinctive taste, tahini helps to emulsify the marinade, ensuring every inch of the chicken is coated, leading to a moist and flavorful result. Olive oil contributes to the chicken’s succulence and helps carry the fat-soluble flavors, while fresh lemon juice and zest provide a crucial bright acidity, balancing the richness of the tahini and tenderizing the meat. Minced garlic and shallot infuse a pungent aromatic base, complemented by a thoughtful blend of dry spices and fresh herbs like parsley and dill, which evoke the vibrant flavors of the Greek islands.
Elevating Taste with Holland House White Cooking Wine
A key ingredient that truly elevates this marinade is Holland House White Cooking Wine. This versatile cooking wine has become an indispensable staple in my kitchen, adding a dimension of flavor that is simply unmatched. It introduces a perfect tang and a subtle citrusy brightness that beautifully complements the smoky notes from the grill and the fresh, herbaceous elements of this Mediterranean-inspired meal. What I appreciate most about Holland House White Cooking Wine, beyond its flavor-boosting capabilities, is its convenience. Unlike opening a full bottle of table wine, which often leads to waste if not fully used, this cooking wine is shelf-stable and always ready in my cabinet. I can simply pour what I need, return it to the shelf, and know it will retain its quality for months. If you haven’t yet explored the magic of cooking with wine in your marinades, you are truly missing out on an easy way to add complex, gourmet flavors to your home cooking.
From Marinade to Marvelous Dressing: A Dual-Purpose Delight
One of the brilliant aspects of this recipe is the marinade’s dual role. A portion of the flavorful tahini mixture is reserved and transformed into a deliciously creamy, cool sauce that perfectly tops the hot, grilled chicken. This refreshing dressing, drizzled generously over the warm chicken and fresh veggies, nested upon a fluffy bed of lemon orzo, creates a culinary synergy that is simply irresistible. Honestly, it has been one of the most scrumptious meals I’ve enjoyed all spring. The cooling creaminess of the tahini dressing provides a wonderful contrast to the smoky chicken, tying all the vibrant components of the dish together. Getting a double thumbs-up from my sometimes-picky daughter is the ultimate seal of approval, and I’m now incredibly excited to share this incredible recipe with all my friends and family!
From my kitchen to yours, I genuinely hope you savor every bite of this Greek Tahini Chicken with Cucumber, Tomato, and Lemon Orzo Salad as much as my family and I have. It’s truly a dish that brings comfort, flavor, and a touch of sunshine to any table.
Greek Tahini Chicken with Cucumber, Tomato and Lemon Orzo Salad
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Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade & Salad Dressing:
- 1-1/2 lbs. (about 8) skinless, boneless chicken thighs, Set aside 1/4 cup of this mixture for the salad dressing
- 1/4 cup tahini (sesame seed paste), stirred
- 3 Tablespoons Holland House White Cooking Wine
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons warm water
- 3 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 Tablespoon dill weed
- Juice and zest from 1 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small shallot, minced
- Nonstick cooking spray, for cooking
For the Lemon Orzo:
- 2 cups hot cooked orzo or white/brown rice
- Juice and zest from 1 lemon
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
For the Salad:
- 1 medium cucumber, chopped
- 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
For the Chicken Marinade & Salad Dressing:
- Add chicken thighs to a large resealable plastic bag; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk all marinade ingredients together until well blended. Reserve 1/4 cup tahini mixture in a small bowl (this will be your dressing for serving on top of cooked chicken). Pour remaining tahini mixture into the bag, seal, and toss to coat chicken in marinade. Refrigerate at least 1 hour, or up to 1 day.
- When ready to cook, preheat your gas grill to medium (350°F to 450°F), or set a grill pan to medium heat. Generously coat grill grates with cooking spray. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade.
- Arrange chicken thighs on grill. Cover and cook 4 minutes on each side, or until done. Remove chicken from grill and place on a platter. Set aside.
For the Lemon Orzo:
- While chicken grills, cook orzo according to package directions. Once cooked, add lemon juice and zest, olive oil, salt and parsley. Stir to blend flavors. Spoon onto a large platter, or onto individual plates. Place chicken thighs on top of orzo.
For the Salad:
- Arrange cucumber, tomatoes, parsley and mint over the platter, or each serving. Spoon remaining tahini mixture (salad dressing) over top of chicken and vegetables. Serve immediately.
- Enjoy!
Notes
For a thinner tahini salad dressing, add 1/2 teaspoon water at a time, until you reached your desired consistency.
Disclosure: This recipe was created for Holland House Cooking Wines. All opinions are my own.
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