Turkish Chicken with Creamy White Sauce
Turkish Chicken with Creamy White Sauce is a cozy and flavorful dish combining tender chicken thighs with a silky, rich yogurt-based sauce enriched with subtle spices and lemon. Ready in under 40 minutes, this family-friendly meal captures authentic Turkish flavors with effortless preparation, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Turkish
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Butter or oil, for cooking
Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 knob of butter
Creamy White Sauce
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnishes (optional)
- Chopped parsley or dried mint
Optional Variations
- Red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper for spice
- Fresh dill or cilantro for herbal twist
- Cream cheese or mascarpone for extra creaminess
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a bit of butter or oil. Once hot, add the chicken and cook about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add a knob of butter. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Make the Creamy White Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir well to form a roux. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and whisk in the Greek yogurt and lemon juice carefully to avoid curdling, creating a smooth sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet and spoon the creamy white sauce over them. Let everything simmer together on low heat for a few minutes to meld flavors and allow the sauce to coat the chicken nicely.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley or dried mint over the dish for a fresh herbal note. Serve hot alongside your favorite sides such as rice pilaf, crusty bread, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Let chicken sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking for even doneness.
- Adjust the flour or broth quantity to control sauce thickness as desired.
- Remove sauce from heat before adding yogurt to prevent curdling and stir quickly.
- For juicier results, use bone-in chicken thighs but increase cooking time slightly.
- Allow chicken to rest briefly after cooking to retain juices and tenderness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Turkish chicken, creamy white sauce, yogurt sauce, weeknight dinner, quick chicken recipe, Mediterranean chicken, healthy chicken meal