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The appetizer, Light and fresh

Lemon yogurt chicken bites

Lemon yogurt chicken bites are an appetizer for 6 people, made of herb marinated chicken cubes seared in a hot pan and served with a cool lemon yogurt dip. They take 25 minutes of active work, are prepped in the morning for the evening, rate very easy, and cost €1.50 per person. Success depends on patting the chicken very dry before searing, so it browns instead of steaming.

Little bites of herb grilled chicken dunked in a fresh lemony yogurt sauce, good luck stopping at one.

Lemon yogurt chicken bites
For
6 people
Work
25 min
Total time
50 min
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.50
Calories per person
110 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Small cubes of chicken, seared golden and still warm, dunked into a cool yogurt sauce bright with lemon and chives. The contrast between the herb crusted chicken and the tangy sauce makes a light appetizer that wakes up the appetite without filling anyone up before dinner. It's a simple bite with real character, thanks to the lemon zest and herbes de Provence that flavor the chicken right from the marinade.

This is the appetizer to make for a spring or summer dinner with friends, when you want something fresh to nibble outside with a drink. Kids like it too, as simple skewers with no surprises. Serve it ahead of a heartier main course, since it stays light and leaves room for what's coming.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 3 steps, 8 min
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step, 2 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

In the morning, marinate and sear the chicken and make the sauce, then chill it, everything is ready hours before guests arrive. Just before guests arrive, reheat the chicken cubes for two minutes in a hot pan so they're warm again. When it's time to serve, skewer each cube and arrange them around the bowl of sauce.

The ingredients

6 people

Butcher

  • Chicken breasts 600 g

Dairy

  • Greek yogurt 250 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Lemon 1
  • Chives 1 bunch
  • Garlic 1 cloves

Pantry

  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Herbes de Provenceoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Lactose

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Cut the chicken breasts into cubes about 2 cm, toss them with the olive oil, herbes de Provence, crushed garlic, salt and pepper, and let marinate.

    Don't marinate for more than a few hours, and only salt the pan while cooking so the meat stays tender.

  2. Sear the cubes in a very hot pan, in two batches, letting them brown on each side. 8 min

    A crowded pan makes the meat steam instead of sear, two batches beat one.

  3. Make the sauce by mixing the yogurt with the lemon zest and juice, chopped chives, salt and pepper, then chill it.

    Let the sauce rest in the fridge, the flavors come together and round out.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Reheat the chicken cubes for 2 minutes in a hot pan with a small knob of butter or a bit of oil. 2 min

    Don't cook them further, just warm them through, otherwise they'll dry out.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Skewer each cube on a pick and arrange them around the bowl of sauce.

    Place the bowl of sauce in the center of the platter, your guests will spot it right away.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a thick Greek yogurt, a runnier texture makes the sauce hard to dip into cleanly.
  • Zest the lemon before juicing it, it's easier that way and you capture all the fragrant oil in the peel.
  • Use long enough skewers so your guests can dip the chicken without getting sauce on their fingers.

The variations

  • Swap the chicken for firm tofu cubes, marinated and seared the same way, for a vegetarian version with just as much flavor.
  • Add a pinch of cumin or smoked paprika to the marinade for a bolder taste that's a change from herbes de Provence.
  • For kids, serve the chicken cubes plain with less garlic in the marinade, and a little yogurt sauce on the side.

What to serve it with

  • A glass of dry chilled white wine
  • Crunchy vegetable sticks for dipping too
  • Pita bread cut into triangles

Storage

The cooked chicken cubes keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, and the yogurt sauce keeps separately for 2 days too. Reheat the chicken quickly in a pan before serving, and serve the sauce cold straight from the fridge. This dish doesn't freeze well, the yogurt breaks down when thawed.

Questions about this recipe

Can I use regular plain yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?

Yes, but the sauce will be thinner and less creamy. Drain plain yogurt in a fine sieve for a few minutes before using it to thicken the texture a bit.

How do I keep the chicken cubes from drying out?

Don't overcook them during the first sear, and only reheat them for 2 minutes before serving. Chicken keeps cooking a bit as it cools, so it's better to pull it from the pan slightly underdone than overdone.

Can I make these bites without wooden skewers?

Yes, you can simply serve the chicken cubes in a small dish with fruit picks or regular toothpicks. The important thing is that each guest can easily grab a piece and dip it in the sauce.

How much should I make if I'm serving other appetizers too?

For 6 people alongside other appetizers, this amount of chicken is plenty. If it's the only starter before a light meal, make 1.5 times the recipe for bigger appetites.

Can lemon yogurt chicken bites with a cool yogurt dip be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 25 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 3 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make lemon yogurt chicken bites with a cool yogurt dip?

Allow 50 min in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 25 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in lemon yogurt chicken bites with a cool yogurt dip?

About 110 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does lemon yogurt chicken bites with a cool yogurt dip cost?

About €1.50 per person, that's €9.00 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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