Warm Pistachio Za’atar Chicken Bowl with Lemon Freekeh, Golden Cauliflower, and Herbed Cucumber Yogurt
A complete and original lunch bowl featuring chicken marinated in yogurt, za’atar, and ground pistachios, served over lemon freekeh with roasted cauliflower, sautéed red onion, and a fresh herbed cucumber yogurt sauce.
Ingredients
- 600 g Chicken breast, cubed (skinless ni hueso)
- 180 ml Plain yogurt (divided for marinada and sauce)
- 22 g Za’atar (divided)
- 45 g Shelled pistachios (finely chopped or ground)
- 12 g Minced garlic (divided)
- 1 piece Lemon (zest and juice, divided)
- 45 ml Olive oil (divided)
- 8 g Salt (or to taste, divided)
- 3 g Black pepper (divided)
- 240 g Freekeh (Crudo)
- 720 ml Water or chicken broth (for cocinar the freekeh)
- 500 g Cauliflower, small florets (cut uniforme)
- 2 g Ground cumin (for the coliflor)
- 120 g Red onion, thinly sliced (for saltear)
- 150 g Seedless cucumber, small diced (for the sauce)
- 8 g Fresh dill, chopped (for the sauce)
- 10 g Fresh parsley, chopped (divided)
- 10 ml Honey (for balancear the marinada)
- 1 g Chili flakes (optional)
Nutrition facts
per serving
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
Instructions
- 1
1. Preheat the oven to 425 °F / 220 °C. In a medium bowl, mix 120 ml (1/2 cup) yogurt, 2 tablespoons za’atar, the pistachios, 2 minced garlic cloves, the zest of half the lemon, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, the honey, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Add the chicken and toss well to coat. Let it marinate while you prepare the rest.
- 2
2. Place the cauliflower on a sheet pan. Toss it with 1 tablespoon olive oil, the cumin, 1/2 tablespoon za’atar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and the chili flakes if using. Roast at 425 °F / 220 °C for 22 to 25 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden on the edges and tender.
- 3
3. Rinse the freekeh if needed. In a medium saucepan, combine the freekeh with the water or chicken broth, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 minced garlic clove. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and cook for 18 to 20 minutes until tender. Turn off the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and add 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, and 1 teaspoon olive oil.
- 4
4. For the sauce, mix the remaining 60 ml (1/4 cup) yogurt with the cucumber, dill, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, the remaining garlic clove, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
- 5
5. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon olive oil and sauté the red onion for 3 to 4 minutes with a pinch of salt until slightly softened but still textured. Remove and set aside.
- 6
6. In the same skillet, cook the marinated chicken over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and lightly browned. If preferred, you can also bake it at 425 °F / 220 °C for 14 to 16 minutes on a lined tray.
- 7
7. To serve, divide the freekeh among 4 bowls. Add the roasted cauliflower, sautéed red onion, and warm chicken. Finish with spoonfuls of the cucumber herb yogurt sauce. If desired, add a little extra lemon zest or juice to taste before serving.
Chef tips
Lightly toast the pistachios before chopping for deeper flavor. For more texture, reserve 1 tablespoon chopped pistachios for garnish at the end.
Substitutions
You can swap the freekeh for quinoa for a gluten-free version. Dill can be replaced with mint or more parsley. If you do not have za’atar, use a mix of dried thyme, oregano, sesame seeds, and a little extra lemon.
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 imageCosori 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
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
Illustrative imageT-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
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