Yogurt-Marinated Chicken with Lemony Couscous and Chili-Roasted Carrots

Discover the magic of yogurt-marinated chicken! The yogurt tenderizes the meat quickly and creates a beautifully browned crust when cooked. This dish pairs the succulent chicken with fluffy lemony couscous and sweet, spicy chili-roasted carrots. A tangy garlic sauce drizzled on top brings everything together for a meal that’s both comforting and exciting.

Perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels special, this recipe uses simple ingredients to deliver big flavors. The combination of textures and tastes—creamy, tangy, spicy, and fresh—will make it a new favorite.

Log in to save recipes and build weekly shopping lists.

Ingredients

1 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon YogurtView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Tunisian Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Chicken CutletsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

12 ounce CarrotsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce CilantroView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Chili FlakesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2.5 ounce Israeli CouscousView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Chicken Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) with a rack in the top position. Wash and dry produce. Peel and mince the garlic. Zest the lemon, then cut it into wedges. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the Tunisian spice blend, half the yogurt, half the minced garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some pepper. Add the chicken and turn to coat evenly. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the other ingredients.
3. Trim, peel, and cut the carrots diagonally into ½-inch-thick pieces. Roughly chop the cilantro. On a baking sheet, toss the carrots with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and a pinch of chili flakes. Roast on the top rack until golden brown and tender, 20–25 minutes.
4. While the carrots roast, make the garlic sauce: In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, remaining yogurt, and remaining minced garlic to taste. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the sauce reaches a drizzling consistency.
5. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Add the chicken to the pan and cook until browned and cooked through, 6–8 minutes per side. (If the chicken browns too quickly, lower the heat.) Transfer the chicken to a cutting board to rest, then slice crosswise.
6. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small pot over medium-high heat. Add the couscous and a pinch of salt; cook, stirring, until toasted, about 30 seconds. Stir in the chicken stock concentrate and ¾ cup water. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until the couscous is tender, 6–8 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in lemon zest to taste. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Divide the chicken, couscous, and carrots among plates. Top the chicken with the garlic sauce and chopped cilantro. Sprinkle with additional chili flakes if desired. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Medium bowl

DOWAN 22 OZ White Ceramic Bowls Set of 4 - Perfect for Soup Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl, Ramen Bowl, Microwave Safe for Oatmeal, Fruit,Salad and Rice Bowl - Dishwasher & Microwave SafeView on AmazonMASTERCOOK Plastic Bowls Set of 6 – 15oz Multipurpose Deep Plates Salad and Pasta Bowls Ideal for Home, Kids, Parties – Stackable Bowl for Kitchen – Non-BPA and Food Grade – Cute ColorsView on AmazonMALACASA 26 OZ Porcelain Soup Bowls Set of 4, White Ceramic Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl for Oatmeal, Fruit, Salad, Ramen and Rice Bowl -Dishwasher & Microwave Safe BowlsView on Amazon

Paper towels

Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls (108 Sheets Per Roll)View on AmazonAmazon Basics 2-Ply Flex-Sheets Paper Towels, 12 Basics Rolls = 40 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value with 150 Sheets per Roll, Packaging May VaryView on AmazonBounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Triple Rolls = 27 Regular RollsView on Amazon

Zester or grater

AmazonShop popular Zester or grater on AmazonView on Amazon

Baking sheet

GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set, 3 Pack Includes Small (13×9) Medium (15×1) and Large (17×11) Pans Carbon Steel Construction Cookie Sheets Bakeware Set, GrayView on AmazonNutriChef 3-Piece Nonstick Kitchen Oven Baking Pans - Premium & Stylish Non-Stick Steel, Commercial Grade Restaurant Quality Metal Bakeware with Red Silicone Handles - Easy to Clean, NCSBS3SView on AmazonNordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet - USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, Encapsulated Galvanized Steel Rim Prevents Warping, 2-PackView on Amazon

Vegetable peeler

Spring Chef Premium Swivel Vegetable Peeler, Soft Grip Handle and Ultra Sharp Stainless Steel Blades - Perfect Kitchen Peeler For Veggie, Fruit, Potato, Carrot, Apple - BlackView on AmazonOXO Good Grips Swivel PeelerView on AmazonZulay Kitchen Premium Vegetable Peeler for Kitchen - Swivel Peeler with Razor Sharp Stainless Steel Blades & Strong Ergonomic Handle - Dishwasher Safe, Easy To Use with Blemish Remover - BlackView on Amazon

Small bowl

Kaytee Stoneware Ceramic Pet Hamster Bowl, Brown, 3-InchView on AmazonDipping Bowls, Soy Sauce Dish Ceramic, 3 OZ Small Serving Bowls for Side Dishes Vintage Blue Stylish Design, Set of 6 Mini Appetizer Plates for Condiment Sushi Ketchup BBQ Party, 4 InchView on AmazonFarielyn-X 3.5in 4oz Small Glass Bowls, Mini Glass Containers, Ramekins, Prep, Pinch Bowl, Stackable Condiment Containers, for Prep, Dips, Nuts, Snacks, Candy Meal Prep Bowls, Dessert BowlsView on Amazon

Large nonstick pan

Tramontina Professional 14-Inch Non Stick Extra Large Frying Pan, Heavy-Gauge Aluminum Skillet with Reinforced Nonstick Coating, Red Handle, Dishwasher and Oven SafeView on AmazonSENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on Amazon

Small pot

SENSARTE Nonstick Saucepan with Lid, 1.5 Quarts Small Pot with Swiss Granite Coating, Stay-cool Handle, Multipurpose Handy Sauce Pot Small Kitchen Cooking Pot, Induction Comptable, PFOA FreeView on AmazonCuisinart 1.5 Quart Sauce Pan with Cover, Stainless Steel Pot with Lid, Small Kitchen Pots, Dishwasher Safe, Compatible with Induction, Electric, Gas Cooktops, Oven Safe Saucepan, Cool Grip HandlesView on AmazonCuisinart 8919-14 Professional Series 1-Quart Saucepan with Cover, Stainless Steel, Mirror FinishView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt?

Yes, Greek yogurt works well and will still tenderize the chicken. You may need to add a splash of water to thin the marinade slightly.

What can I substitute for Tunisian spice blend?

You can use a mix of ground cumin, coriander, caraway, and a pinch of cayenne or paprika as a substitute.

Can I prepare any components ahead of time?

Yes, you can marinate the chicken and make the garlic sauce up to a day in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator.