Monday, October 22, 2012

Grilled chicken tzatziki



  •     4 pitas
  •     Extra yogurt for garnish
For chicken marinade:
  •     1/2 cup yogurt
  •     2 tbsp honey
  •     2 tsp fresh lemon juice + 2 tsp lemon zest
  •     2 tsp hot sauce
  •     1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
  •     1 tsp dried oregano
  •     1/2 tsp ground cumin
  •     1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
  •     Pinch salt
  •     4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
For cucumber relish:
  •     1 English cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
  •     Pinch salt
  •     1 cup seeded, finely diced tomato
  •     1/2 cup finely diced red onion
  •     6 tbsp coarsely chopped and pitted black olives
  •     4 tbsp coarsely chopped fresh parsley
  •     2 tbsp coarsely chopped fresh dill
  •     1 garlic clove, minced
  •     4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  •     4 tsp fresh lemon juice


Directions:
  1. To prepare chicken marinade, whisk all ingredients except chicken breasts together in a bowl. Combine marinade with chicken breasts in a large zip-lock bag, seal and gently shake to evenly distribute marinade over chicken. Place in refrigerator and chill for 2 to 4 hours.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the cucumber relish. Lay cucumber slices in a sieve placed over a bowl and sprinkle with pinch of salt. Leave for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until cucumbers soften and their liquid begins to drain into the bowl. Stir occasionally.
  3. Combine the tomato, onion, olives, parsley, dill, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Stir in drained cucumbers, then cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
  4. Grease grill and preheat to medium-high. Remove chicken from zip-lock bag and discard marinade. Grill chicken breasts until cooked through, about 15 to 18 minutes. Remove chicken from grill, let rest for a few minutes and slice thinly on the diagonal. Lay chicken slices on top of each pita round and divide relish evenly among them. Garnish with a little extra yogurt and serve.