Lemon-Oregano Chicken Thighs with Creamy Spinach Bulgur and Cumin-Roasted Carrots
🌙 Dinners
Intermediate

Lemon-Oregano Chicken Thighs with Creamy Spinach Bulgur and Cumin-Roasted Carrots

An original, comforting dinner featuring juicy golden chicken thighs scented with lemon, garlic, and oregano, served over creamy spinach bulgur with cumin-roasted carrots on the side. It balances brightness, warm spice, and a silky texture for a complete weeknight meal.

20 minPrep
35 minCook
55 minTotal
4Servings
High Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings
4
  • 700 g boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut en pieces large si son muy large)
  • 1 unit lemon (zest fina and 45 ml/3 tbsp of juice, divided)
  • 4 cloves garlic (2 grated or chopped for the chicken and 2 chopped for the bulgur)
  • 2 cditas dried oregano (divided)
  • 1 cdta sweet paprika (for the chicken)
  • 1.5 cditas ground cumin (divided entre zanahorias and bulgur)
  • 500 g carrots (peladas and cut en bastones)
  • 45 ml olive oil (divided)
  • 1.5 cditas salt (or to taste, divided)
  • 0.75 cdta black pepper (divided)
  • 180 g bulgur (grano medio)
  • 120 g yellow onion (chopped fina)
  • 480 ml chicken broth (hot)
  • 120 g fresh spinach (chopped groseramente)
  • 120 g plain Greek yogurt (for dar cremosidad al bulgur and servir)
  • 10 ml honey (for equilibrar the lemon en the chicken)
  • 15 g fresh parsley (chopped, for terminar)

Nutrition facts

per serving

520 kcal
Calories
37 g
Protein
34 g
Carbs
26 g
Fat
6 g
Fiber
28 g
Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

GlutenDairy

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 220 °C / 425 °F. On a baking tray, toss the carrots with 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread them in a single layer.

  2. 2

    In a medium bowl, combine the chicken with the lemon zest, 30 ml (2 tbsp) lemon juice, 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil, 2 garlic cloves, 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano, sweet paprika, honey, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Let it sit while you prepare the rest.

  3. 3

    Roast the carrots for 25 to 30 minutes at 220 °C / 425 °F, turning halfway through, until tender with golden edges.

  4. 4

    While the carrots roast, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil and sear the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until deeply golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep the skillet juices.

  5. 5

    Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the onion and cook for 3 minutes with a pinch of salt, scraping up the browned bits. Stir in the remaining 2 garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp ground cumin, and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

  6. 6

    Add the bulgur and stir for 1 minute so it absorbs the flavors. Pour in the hot chicken broth, bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, cover, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until the bulgur is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.

  7. 7

    Turn off the heat and add the spinach, Greek yogurt, and the remaining 15 ml (1 tbsp) lemon juice. Stir until the spinach wilts and the bulgur becomes creamy. Adjust with the remaining salt and pepper to taste.

  8. 8

    Serve a bed of creamy spinach bulgur, top with the golden chicken and its juices, and add the roasted carrots on the side. Finish with chopped fresh parsley and, if desired, a small extra spoonful of Greek yogurt.

Chef tips

For deeper browning, pat the chicken dry before mixing it with the marinade. If the bulgur absorbs the liquid too quickly, add 30 to 60 ml (2 to 4 tbsp) extra hot broth before stirring in the yogurt.

Substitutions

You can replace the bulgur with quinoa for a gluten-free version, adjusting the liquid and cooking time. Greek yogurt can be swapped for lactose-free plain yogurt. Parsley can be replaced with dill or fresh mint.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

  • Illustrative image: Air fryerIllustrative image

    Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer

    Browning and baking with little oil

    • Browns food with very little oil
    • Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
    • Check the basket capacity
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Digital kitchen thermometerIllustrative image

    TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer

    Checking doneness of meat and chicken

    • Checks doneness of meat and chicken
    • Quick reading
    • Clean the probe after each use
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Non-stick frying panIllustrative image

    T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan

    Eggs, omelets and stir-fries

    • Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
    • Comfortable, sturdy handle
    • Use wooden or silicone utensils
    View on Amazon

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