A quick and easy Cumin Chicken Recipe (Jeera Chicken) that can be ready within minutes. This garlic, cilantro, and cumin seeds flavored base is perfect with white rice, salad, or wrapped inside of a warm tortilla. Easy chicken recipes like this are perfect to cook for weeknight dinners.
JEERA CHICKEN (Cumin Chicken)
This quick, tasty, and healthy Hariyali Jeera Chicken Recipe is known to be on repeat around here. It takes minutes to make and tastes great as an appetizer, main meal with naan/rice/quinoa/etc, or even a stuffing!
For this recipe:
- I recommend using a rotisserie chicken, pre-cooked chicken, or finely diced raw boneless skinless chicken thighs to cook with.
- Add vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, squash, onions, etc
- GO VEGETARIAN AND USE ONLY VEGETABLES!
The mixture of fresh cumin seeds and cilantro set this Jeera Chicken Recipe in stone.
Origination of this dish dates back to the 70’s! PICTURE THIS: My dad had just moved to the United States from India and loved the smell of Rotisserie Chicken at grocery stores. BUT, it tasted too simple for his spice loving Indian tastebuds. So he added some flavor!!! Which is how this dish came alive. He ate just as the recipe is listed with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and an onion salad. Ever since then it became a staple in the kitchen.
What is cumin?
A seed used in various different cuisines that generally ranges from the Middle East to India, but has been adapted by all cuisines throughout the years. It tastes great with many dishes and in particular this Green Cumin Chicken Recipe.
SO SATISFYING!
Does Trader Joe’s sell cumin?
Not sure about cumin, but I know for a fact that they sell something even more tasty! I made the dish even easier by using TRADER JOE’S “Zhoug Sauce” as a base instead of making my own Jeera Chutney. If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s around, then Whole Foods also sells a variation of a “Zhoug Sauce” or you can simply make your own by following my Hariyali Chutney recipe below.
What is hariyali chicken?
Hariyali simply means green. In which case, a Hariyali Chicken Recipe would mean Green Chicken Recipe. The end result of this dish gives off a green color with a lot of cumin flavors. So you might find it being called Hariyali Jeera Chicken sometimes.
Can I make my own Zhoug Sauce?
Of course you can! There are many variations to a Zhoug Sauce. If you do not have a Trader Joe’s around, then I recommend making your own to get the perfect flavor. Just as my dad did years ago.
Blend all of the following ingredients together for a HOMEMADE COPY CAT ZHOUG SAUCE.
Homemade Zhoug Sauce
- 1 bunch of fresh cilantro
- 3 serrano chili peppers
- 7 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 5 tbsp oil
- salt
- fresh lemon/lime juice
- 3-4 curry leaves (optional)
Full Recipe
A quick, healthy, and tasty chicken dish made with simple ingredients. A great additional to your appetizer menu, main course meal, or even a stuffing for tacos.
- 8 oz Trader Joe's zhoug sauce (or recipe above)
- 1 rotisserie chicken, deboned and skinned and chopped to desired size
- 1/4 cup grinded jeera/cumin seeds (powder not recommended)
- 1/2 cup water (more or less depending on your consistency preference)
- pinch turmeric (optional)
- oil
- salt
- lemon wedge (garnishment)
- cilantro (garnishment)
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Heat a pan with a generous amount of oil.
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Add the jeera seeds and zhoug sauce to the pan.
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Cook until the raw flavor is out. Takes about a minute with constant stirring.
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Add the chopped chicken, salt, and water.
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Mix well and heat through.
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Serve with a lemon wedge and onion salad.
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ENJOY! <3
Hariyali Jeera Chicken (Cumin Chicken) Recipe Video
10 INDIAN INSPIRED CHICKEN RECIPES
- Butter Chicken
- Jeera Chicken
- Chicken Kheema
- Bell Pepper Chicken Curry
- Chicken Curry
- Dhaba Chicken Curry
- Chicken Kebabs
- Tandoori Chicken
- Chicken Tikka Masala (Clean Eating)
- Chicken Shakshuka
