YOGURT-BRAISED CHICKEN LEGS WITH GARLIC AND GINGER

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Yogurt-Braised Chicken Legs With Garlic and Ginger image

Chicken legs are seared until golden-brown and then slowly braised in yogurt spiked with garlic, ginger, and lots of spices until falling-off-the-bone tender. Serve with naan or another flatbread for dipping into the creamy yogurt sauce.

Provided by Claire Saffitz

Categories     Chicken     Garlic     Ginger     Coriander     Cumin     Yogurt     Chickpea     Green Onion/Scallion     Mint     Lime     Dinner     Braise

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 whole chicken legs (thigh and drumstick), patted dry with paper towels
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 head of garlic, halved crosswise, plus 1 clove
1 (3") piece ginger, peeled, scrubbed, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp. coriander seeds
1 Tbsp. cumin seeds
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp. ground turmeric
3 cups plain whole-milk yogurt (not Greek), divided
1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas, rinsed
Thinly sliced scallions, mint leaves, and lime wedges (for serving)

Steps:

  • Generously season chicken legs all over with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium. Arrange chicken legs in pot skin side down (you want them to fit snugly) and cook, lifting up once or twice to let hot fat run underneath, until skin is golden brown and crisp, 10-15 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate, placing skin side up.
  • Reduce heat to medium-low and add head of garlic, cut sides down, and ginger to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until ginger is starting to brown and curl around the edges and garlic is golden, about 4 minutes. Add coriander, cumin, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring often, until spices are fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in turmeric followed by 2 cups yogurt and mix until smooth; season with salt.
  • Nestle legs back into pot, skin side up, in a single layer and add water just until legs are almost submerged with skin barely peeking out. Bring to a very gentle simmer, adjusting heat if needed, and cook, uncovered, until meat is very tender and just about falling off the bone, 75-90 minutes (the yogurt will separate and look curdled, which is fine). Let cool 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, finely grate remaining garlic clove into a small bowl. Add remaining 1 cup yogurt and stir to combine; season with salt and pepper.
  • Smear yogurt mixture across a platter and scatter chickpeas over. Carefully transfer chicken legs to platter. Using a large spoon or small ladle, skim off bright yellow fat that has collected on surface of braising liquid and drizzle all over platter (it's okay if some rogue spices make it onto platter). Top with scallions and mint, then squeeze lime wedges over.

Binstone Tembo
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Loved this recipe! The chicken was fall-off-the-bone tender. I served it with mashed potatoes and green beans. My family loved it.


Ser Diyali
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I made this last night and it was delicious! The chicken was so tender and juicy, and the sauce was amazing. I served it over rice and it was the perfect meal. I will definitely be making this again.


Rohit Thapa
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Just made this and it was delicious! I used skinless, boneless chicken thighs and it turned out great. The sauce is creamy and flavorful. Will definitely make again!


Ayan garments
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Yogurt-braised chicken was so easy to make. I made it for dinner last night and it was a hit with my family. The chicken was moist and tender and the sauce was delicious. I will definitely be making this again.


muhammad asifak7222
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This yogurt-braised chicken is a fantastic dish! The chicken is incredibly tender and juicy, and the yogurt sauce is rich and flavorful. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfectly. I served it with rice and steamed broccoli, and it wa