Cumin chicken recipe with step-by-step photos and a video recipe. This cumin chicken combines the succulence of tender chicken breast with the warm and earthy flavors of cumin. You can grill it, bake it, or pan-fry it. Quick and easy, one-pan chicken dinner recipe, ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights!
This cumin-spiced chicken breast is a flavorful dish where chicken is seasoned with cumin and other flavorful spices and grilled to perfection. With each bite, you experience a burst of savory flavors.
Enjoy the succulent, well-seasoned cumin chicken chicken that will leave you craving for more. Similar chicken breast recipes that you may like are our Lemon Garlic Chicken Breasts, Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade, and Cilantro Lime Chicken Breast.
About this recipe
In this post, I am sharing how to make a cumin chicken recipe with easy homemade cumin seasoning. Cumin seasoning can be made within 5 minutes with simple ingredients easily available in your kitchen pantry.
Start with marinating the chicken with cumin spice rub. The cumin seasoning for chicken combines paprika, garlic, cumin, pepper, oregano, olive oil, and lemon juice.
When you pan-fry the chicken, it develops a beautiful golden crust, locking in the juicy tenderness. The aroma of spices and herbs with chicken that fills your kitchen is truly amazing. You can bake it or grill it too.
This Mediterranean-inspired chicken dish is different from the Chinese cumin chicken. It pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, cumin rice, or a vibrant salad. It is a dairy-free and gluten-free recipe.
From marinating to grilling, we have shared easy tips and techniques to ensure your grilled chicken turns out perfectly juicy every time. These grilled cumin chicken breasts will impress your family and friends at your next gathering.
You may also like these other popular chicken breast recipes from this website:
- Mediterranean Chicken and Rice
- Mediterranean Chicken Stew
- Cilantro Lime Chicken Breast
- Lemon Garlic Chicken Breast
- Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chicken - I have used boneless skinless chicken breasts but you can also use chicken thighs or bone-in chicken.
- Cumin - I have used roasted and ground cumin. Roast the cumin seeds on low heat until aromatic. Let it cool down to room temperature and grind. Cumin powder adds a warm and earthy aroma, along with a savory flavor to the chicken.
- Oregano - Adds that beautiful Mediterranean flavor to this cumin-grilled chicken breast. You can substitute it with dried thyme, parsley, or basil. The addition of herbs gives a pleasant aroma & flavor to the chicken.
- Lemon Juice - Lemon juice brightens the flavor of this chicken dish. Substitute it with lime juice or vinegar.
- Paprika - It gives a slightly spicy flavor to the chicken. If you do not like spicy dishes skip adding it. Or if you like to make it spicier, add cayenne pepper. Substitute paprika with red pepper flakes or ground red chili powder (add as per taste).
- Garlic Powder - It gives a very nice flavor and aroma to the chicken. Substitute it with ground fresh garlic cloves or minced garlic.
- Salt & Pepper - Add them as per taste.
- Olive Oil - I have used olive oil. You can use any neutral flavor cooking oil.
For the detailed list of ingredients & their measurements, please check out the recipe card below.
How to make cumin chicken recipe (Step-by-step instructions with photos)
Preparations
- Make cumin seasoning - In a small bowl, combine cumin, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and oregano. Keep it aside.
- Pound the chicken breasts for even thickness or slice it in half lengthwise.
- Add the cumin seasoning, lemon juice, and olive oil over the chicken breasts. Rub the spice mixture evenly on both the sides of chicken breasts. Keep it aside for 30 minutes.
For making cumin chicken breast
- Heat 2 teaspoon of oil in a heavy bottom skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place the chicken breasts over the heated pan. Cook on one side for 4-5 minutes or until brown. Flip and cook on the other side until the chicken is cooked or the internal temperature reaches 165°.
- Remove from heat and keep it aside on a plate. Let it rest for 10 minutes. Slice it and serve.
- If the chicken is brown but still not cooked, reduce the heat and cook until the chicken is completely cooked, flipping it as required.
- Garnish it with fresh cilantro or parsley and fresh lemon wedges.
Recipe tips and notes
- Marinating the chicken with spices, lemon juice, and oil, results in tender and juicy chicken breasts. The chicken will absorb all the delicious flavors from the cumin chicken marinade. Marinate the chicken for an hour for the best results. If you do not have enough time, marinate it for at least 30 minutes.
- Cover and keep the chicken in the refrigerator while marinating.
- Take out the chicken from the refrigerator and keep it on the kitchen counter. Let it come to room temperature before you grill it. If you grill the chicken taken straight out of the refrigerator it will become hard and rubbery.
- The pan should be hot enough that when you place the marinated chicken on it, you should hear the sizzling sound. It will lock all the juices of the chicken inside and makes it crispy outside.
- After the chicken is cooked, remove it and keep it on a plate. Cover it with aluminum foil. Give it a resting time of 10 minutes before you slice it or serve it. It redistributes the juices throughout the chicken and makes it juicy and moist.
Frequently Asked Questions
To make the marinade - Double the quantity of olive oil and lemon juice in this recipe. In a mixing bowl, whisk lemon juice, olive oil, and 4-5 teaspoon of cumin seasoning. Add 2 chicken breasts and toss until it is coated well with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours (not more than that). Discard the excess marinade.
You can use cumin to flavor a variety of meat like chicken, lamb, beef, pork, or turkey. Just remember cumin is a strong spice so use it in moderation otherwise it will overpower the natural flavors of meat.
Cumin gives a warm, earthy, and slightly nutty flavor to dishes. It is not spicy but when combined with other spices like paprika or cayenne then it will spice up our dish.
How to store?
- Store the leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.
- Refrigeration - Let it come to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. Stays good for 2 days.
- Freezing - It is a freezer-friendly recipe. Transfer it to an airtight container and freeze. Stays good for a month.
- Reheating - Thaw the frozen chicken breast overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat until piping hot at low-medium heat and serve.
- Label the containers with the date of preparation.
What to serve with?
You can serve it with any one of the following.
- Main Dish - Serve it as a main meal with steamed rice, roasted or stir-fried vegetables, and salad or salsa. Garnish with cilantro or parsley for added freshness.
- Rice Bowls - Slice or chop the chicken breast & serve it over the rice bowls like our Chicken Fajita Rice Bowl or Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowl.
- Tacos or Wraps - Slice the cooked cumin chicken and use it as a filling for tacos or wraps. Add your favorite toppings such as lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, avocado, salsa, or sour cream.
- Salads - Slice the chicken and add it to a salad like Grilled Chicken Avocado Salad.
- Sandwiches - Make a delectable sandwich by layering slices of cumin-infused chicken breast on bread or bun with lettuce leaves, onion, and tomatoes like this Cajun Chicken Sandwich.
- On the side of roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, or grilled beans.
Variations that you can try
- Cumin Chicken Thighs - Use thighs instead of breasts. Cooking time for thighs will be more.
- Cumin Chicken Stir-Fry - Heat a skillet on high heat with 2 tablespoon oil. Sauté onion & bell peppers, then add chicken. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, add cumin spice mix as per taste and combine everything well. Add soy sauce, chicken broth, oyster sauce, and vinegar. Cook until the chicken is cooked. Garnish with sesame seeds.
- Cumin Lamb Recipe - Make it with lamb instead of chicken.
- Make Skewered Chicken - Cut the chicken breasts into small bite-size cubes, and marinate with the cumin seasoning, olive oil, and lemon juice. Thread it onto the skewers and grill it.
More Chicken breast recipes that you may like
- Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
- Black Pepper Chicken Stir-Fry
- Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs
- Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry
- Dry Chilli Chicken
- Cajun Chicken Sandwich
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. We'd love to hear your feedback.
For any questions or concerns while making this recipe, please get in touch with me directly at nayakprety@gmail.com. I'll try my best to respond promptly.
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Recipe Card
Cumin Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Heavy bottom pan or skillet
Ingredients
For cumin seasoning
- 2 teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon salt or add as per taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper powder add as per taste
- ½ teaspoon paprika or red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano skip if you do not have it.
To marinate the chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4 teaspoon of the prepared cumin seasoning or add as per taste
- 4 teaspoon olive oil
- 4 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
Preparations
- Make cumin seasoning - In a small bowl, combine cumin, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and oregano. Keep it aside.
- Pound the chicken breasts for even thickness or slice it in half lengthwise.
- Add the cumin seasoning, lemon juice and olive oil over the chicken breasts. Rub the spice mixture evenly on both the sides of chicken breasts. Keep it aside for 30 minutes.
For making cumin chicken recipe
- Heat 2 teaspoon of oil in a heavy bottom skillet over medium high heat.
- Place the chicken breasts over the heated pan. Cook on one side for 4-5 minutes or until brown. Flip and cook on the other side until the chicken is cooked or the internal temperature reaches 165°.
- Remove from heat and keep it aside on a plate. Let it rest for 10 minutes. Slice it and serve.
- If the chicken is brown but still not cooked, reduce the heat and cook until the chicken is completely cooked, flipping it as required until the chicken is completely cooked.
- Garnish it with fresh cilantro or parsley and fresh lemon slices.
Video
Notes
- To make cumin chicken marinade - Double the quantity of olive oil and lemon juice. In a mixing bowl, whisk lemon juice, olive oil, and cumin seasoning. Add chicken breast and toss until it is coated well with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours (not more than that).
- Marinating the chicken with spices, lemon juice, and oil, results in tender and juicy chicken breasts. The chicken will absorb all the delicious flavors from the cumin chicken marinade. Marinate the chicken for an hour for the best results. If you do not have enough time, marinate it for at least 30 minutes.
- Cover and keep the chicken in the refrigerator while marinating.
- Take out the chicken from the refrigerator and keep it on the kitchen counter. Let it come to room temperature before you grill it. If you grill the chicken taken straight out of the refrigerator it will become hard and rubbery.
- The pan should be hot enough that when you place the marinated chicken on it, you should hear the sizzling sound. It will lock all the juices of the chicken inside and makes it crispy outside.
- After the chicken is cooked, remove it and keep it on a plate. Partially cover it with aluminum foil or another plate. Give it a resting time of 10 minutes before you slice it or serve it. It redistributes the juices throughout the chicken and makes it juicy and moist.
- You can store the cumin seasoning in an airtight container. Store it in a cool and dark place. Not exposed to sunlight or moisture.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Preeti
I’ve made this cumin chicken recipe many times, and its rich, earthy flavors are AMAZING. It’s simple to cook yet so satisfying, making it perfect for when you want a delicious meal without much effort.
Deepak Shetty
Hi Preeti. Yours is the best web site for Indian cuisine. I am trying different dishes every other day from this site. Everything one of your recipes turn out to be mouth watering, better than restaurants quality. Kudos to you.
Preeti
Thanks