Day 135 - Tandoori Chicken with Tzatziki Sauce

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I REALLY think I must have been Greek in another life, or have some Greek blood running amok somewhere inside of this body.  I absolutely ADORE Greek food!  So when I saw this chicken recipe in my Everyday Food Cookbook for Tandoori Chicken with Tzatziki Sauce, it was another one of those no-brainers.
Although I really have been craving a gyro lately...
The picture above is of the ingredients for the Tzatziki sauce.  It is a traditional Greek sauce made with yogurt, lemon, diced cucumbers, and dill.  It is so yummy and is a great accompaniment to gyros, meat and chicken dishes, and as a dip for veges. and pita chips....or to eat just plain out of the bowl.

Tandoori Chicken with Tzatziki Sauce - adapted from Everyday Food
                                                             serves four (five if your family doesn't eat a lot)

Tzatziki Sauce
2 cups plain Greek yogurt
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
¼ teaspoon salt
1 medium cucumber, seeded and diced small
1 tablespoon fresh, chopped dill
fresh pepper to taste

In a small bowl, combine ingredients and mix well.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.

Tandoori Chicken
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon saffron
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ freshly ground pepper

Preheat oven to 375ºF.  Spray a 9 X 13" baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine yogurt, garlic, ginger, cumin, saffron, salt and pepper.  Mix well.

Add the chicken and turn to coat.

Bake for 25-30 minutes.

I baked this for a little over 30 minutes because I was sidetracked with preparing some rice, so consequently it turned out a little dry.

I rate all of my dishes on a scale of 1-4 with 4 being the best and the family decided that this chicken dish earned 2 rolling pins.  It was just another one of those "ok" dishes.  It didn't really do anything to WOW us.  the combination of spices was good, but I don't feel the need to make it again. 

The Tzatziki sauce on the other hand...we all now I can eat that plain.  You should have some left over because it did make more than what we really needed for the chicken.  But as I said, it'll be a great dip for some carrots tomorrow at lunch with some pita chips!

I think I hear some baklava baking on the horizon.  Not tomorrow, but soon.  I can't WAIT to eat that stuff!!

Happy Baking!