Sesame Seed Chicken a Turkish Meze

Elevate your mezze spread with this irresistible Sesame Seed Chicken, a Turkish-inspired delight that combines tender marinated chicken with the nutty crunch of golden-toasted sesame seeds. Infused with a vibrant blend of lemon, garlic, cumin, and paprika, this dish bursts with bold Mediterranean flavors in every bite. The chicken is pan-seared to perfection, creating a crispy sesame coating that pairs beautifully with the creamy yogurt dipping sauce enhanced by fresh dill and optional tangy sumac. Ready in just 30 minutes, this versatile recipe can be served warm or at room temperature, making it perfect as an appetizer, party snack, or part of a larger Turkish mezze platter.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 g Chicken breast
• 2 Garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Ground black pepper
• 1 tsp Ground cumin
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 100 g Sesame seeds
• 200 g Plain yogurt
• 1 tbsp Fresh dill
• 0.5 tsp Ground sumac (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and set aside in a mixing bowl.

Step 2

Finely mince the garlic and add it to the chicken along with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, ground black pepper, ground cumin, and paprika. Mix well to coat all the chicken pieces evenly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes (or up to 1 hour for deeper flavor).

Step 3

Toast the sesame seeds in a dry frying pan over medium heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant. Transfer to a plate and let cool.

Step 4

Dredge the marinated chicken pieces in the toasted sesame seeds, pressing gently to ensure the seeds stick to the surface.

Step 5

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it with a small amount of olive oil. Cook the sesame-coated chicken pieces in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden and fully cooked through.

Step 6

While the chicken is cooking, prepare the dipping sauce by combining plain yogurt, finely chopped fresh dill, and ground sumac (if using) in a small bowl. Stir well to mix.

Step 7

Transfer the cooked sesame seed chicken to a serving platter and serve alongside the yogurt dipping sauce. Enjoy this meze warm or at room temperature as part of a mezze spread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(878.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1766.6

Total Fat 111.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 19.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 30.7g
Cholesterol 442mg	0%
Sodium 4195.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 33.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.8g	0%
Total Sugars 15.7g
Protein 172.4g	0%

Vitamin D 96IU	0%
Calcium 539.9mg	0%
Iron 11.7mg	0%
Potassium 2451.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.8%

Protein: 37.8%

Carbs: 7.4%