Savory spiced and full of flavor, this Rubbed Turmeric Chicken is ready in under 20 minutes and is incredibly versatile!
With just 5 ingredients in the flavorful rub, this Rubbed Turmeric Chicken is a quick and tasty dinner recipe to add to your rotation!
This chicken can be sauteed, grilled, or baked. It's perfect served with rice and roasted vegetables, on top of salads, in quesadillas, on powder bowls and so much more!
If dinner has been feeling kind of drab for you lately, I'm here today with a recipe to save your day (or evening)!
After all, it can be so easy to get into a funk with dinner. I mean really, when you've been busy managing everything else in your life all day, it's so easy to lose your inspiration when you step into the kitchen come dinner time.
That's why I'm here, friends! I'm on a mission to share easy and healthy (mainly dinner) recipes that are fun, healthy, easy to make, and -- most importantly -- inspire you to keep it fresh and tasty!
The kind of healthy and quick dinner recipes that save you time and fuss while delighting every member of your dinner time crew.
But even if I'm continually creating new recipes, it's not to say this chicken isn't worthy of being added to a dinner rotation. It's perfect with so many side dishes and is a meal prep dream -- virtually begging you to add to your monthly meal list.
Either way you enjoy this chicken, though, it's my hope that it adds a little spunk, flavor, ease, and time. The kind of time you can get back to tackle the rest of life and savor what you hold dear.
Buon appetito, my friend!
Table of contents
- This rubbed turmeric chicken recipe is...
- Recipe ingredients
- Ingredient substitutions
- What does turmeric taste like?
- Where do you buy turmeric?
- What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
- Is this recipe gluten-free?
- How to make turmeric chicken:
- Recipe tips to make this recipe perfect every time!
- Can you grill this chicken?
- Can you bake turmeric chicken?
- Is this recipe good for meal prep?
- Can you double or triple this recipe?
- How long do leftovers last?
- Can you freeze leftovers?
- Tools needed to make this recipe:
- Other chicken recipes you'll love:
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This rubbed turmeric chicken recipe is...
- Savory
- Perfectly spiced
- Earthy
- Flavorful
- Tender
- Juicy
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Naturally gluten-free
- Perfect for meal prep
If you're looking for a healthy new dinner recipe, this turmeric chicken is for you!
Recipe ingredients
- Turmeric - an earthy and slightly bitter spice, it delivers many health benefits and a beautiful yellow color!
- Cumin - savory, herby, and with a touch of citrus flavor, cumin balances out the turmeric so nicely!
- Garlic powder
- Salt - enhances the flavor of the rub and the chicken
- Cracked black pepper - many studies show that black pepper helps your body absorb the nutrients in turmeric (source); in this case, it also helps add a bit of kick to the turmeric seasoning recipe!
- Chicken - breasts, drumsticks, or thighs all work!
- Lemon juice - brightens up all the flavors of the seasoned chicken. The lemon juice really makes this recipe sing so don't be bashful with it! Note: fresh lemon juice is better but bottled also works!
- Cilantro - an optional garnish!
Ingredient substitutions
I usually share ingredient substitutions here, but this recipe -- especially the turmeric rub -- is best with all the ingredients as listed.
If you want to substitute lime juice for lemon juice or pork chops or tenderloin for the chicken you can, however!
What does turmeric taste like?
Turmeric has an earthy and mild flavor profile. In this recipe, the spice is complemented by warm and lightly sweet cumin, savory garlic powder, and salt, making the homemade seaoning blend full and dimensional, but not spicy.
Where do you buy turmeric?
You can buy turmeric at most major grocery stores, spice shops, Costco, and online at Thrive Market. I am currently working my way through a large bottle I bought at Costco, but will likely refill by ordering from Thrive Market. I've loved all the spices I've purchased from them so far!
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
You can use whatever type of chicken you prefer with this turmeric rub. Below I will share how to make this recipe with boneless skinless chicken thighs and breasts, but you can also make it with bone-in chicken.
If you use bone-in breasts, thighs, or drumsticks, you will need to cook the meat longer, however, or until the chicken reaches a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the meat.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe contains no wheat or wheat-derived ingredients so it is naturally gluten-free!
How to make turmeric chicken:
- Mix together the spices in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle the turmeric spice blend over both sides of the chicken.
- Saute or grill the chicken until the chicken is cooked through.
- Squeeze lemon juice liberally over the chicken.
- Serve the chicken hot and enjoy!
Recipe pro-tips:
- Use fresh spices -- fresh spices have a much more vibrant flavor, making this recipe even that much better. Check the expiration date on your spices for the best end result.
- Don't under season your chicken -- sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of the seasoning blend on each side of your chicken. You'll be glad you did!
- Squeeze lemon juice liberally over the chicken -- a final squeeze of lemon juice brings out all the delicious flavors in the chicken, rather than tasting sour or tart.
Can you grill this chicken?
Yes, you most certainly can grill this chicken. Season the chicken as directed and then grill the chicken over medium or medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can you bake turmeric chicken?
You can definitely bake this chicken! Here's how:
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
- Spray your baking dish with non-stick cooking spray
- Add the chicken to the pan and cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake the chicken for 10 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake the chicken for another 10 minutes, or until it's cooked through and has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Squeeze the lemon juice over the chicken and enjoy!
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
This recipe is perfect for meal prep! Make a batch (or 2!) at the beginning of the week and enjoy the chicken served...
Over:
- Rice bowls
- Roasted Vegetables
- Salads
- Quinoa
- Pasta salads
With:
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Blistered green beans
- Air fry zucchini
And of course, you can always throw it in:
- Quesadillas
- Wraps or sandwiches
Can you double or triple this recipe?
This chicken is so easily doubled or tripled! Just multiply the ingredients by your desired amount and follow the recipe as directed!
How long do leftovers last?
Leftovers last covered in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
Can you freeze leftovers?
Unfortunately, this chicken does not freeze well.
Tools needed to make this recipe:
- Small mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Citrus juicer
- Non-stick pans: I love this one and this one!
- Heat-safe no scratch spatula
- Meat thermometer
More chicken recipes:
- Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry
- Rotisserie Chicken Salad
- Crispy Herbed Panko Chicken
- Sheet Pan Apricot Chicken
- Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
- Peanut Butter Chicken Curry
- Sheet Pan Cuban Mojo Chicken
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Rubbed Turmeric Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 ½ teaspoons turmeric
- 1 ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs and/or breasts
- 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice (or the juice of 1 medium lemon)
- CIlantro leaves, to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, mix together the cumin, salt, turmeric, garlic powder, and black pepper until combined.
- Sprinkle each chicken piece a heaping teaspoon of the seasoning blend. Gently rub the seasoning blend into the meat.
- Preheat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the oil and heat until it sizzles when flicked with water.
- Add the chicken to the skillet, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, and cook for 8-12 minutes (depending on the thickness of your chicken), turning the chicken every 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Squeeze or drizzle the lemon juice over the chicken pieces. Serve hot!
Notes
1. Recipe leftovers last covered in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. They do not freeze well.
2. To grill this chicken: Season the chicken as directed and then grill the chicken over medium or medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. To bake this chicken:
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
- Spray your baking dish with non-stick cooking spray
- Add the chicken to the pan and cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake the chicken for 10 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake the chicken for another 10 minutes, or until it's cooked through and has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Squeeze the lemon juice over the chicken and enjoy!
4. This recipe is the quickest with boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, but you can also make it with bone-in chicken. Bone-in chicken cooks the best on the grill or in the oven. Add 5-10 minutes of cooking time for either method or until the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 222Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 138mgSodium 911mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 28g
This nutrition breakdown is just an estimate of the nutritional value of this recipe and cannot be taken as facts. The owners of Mae's Menu are not nutritionists or dietitians and therefore cannot be held accountable for this nutrition estimate. Please contact your nutritionist or medical professional for a nutritional breakdown of this food. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
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