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.

EzmaiL_ Ezmoh
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This recipe is a great way to use up leftover chicken. The chicken is tender and flavorful, and the sauce is rich and creamy. I highly recommend this recipe.


Imran Harripersaud
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I've made this recipe several times and it's always a hit. The chicken is always cooked perfectly and the sauce is always delicious. I highly recommend this recipe.


Tahsina Tanha
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This is one of my favorite recipes. It's so easy to make and always turns out delicious. The chicken is always tender and juicy, and the sauce is always flavorful.


Fantos Gesella
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I made this recipe for dinner last night and it was delicious! The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce was so flavorful. My family loved it.


S_S GAMER
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This recipe is a bit time-consuming, but it's worth it. The chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender and the sauce is incredibly flavorful. I highly recommend this recipe.


Gladys Guzman
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I'm not a big fan of chicken, but this recipe changed my mind. The chicken was so tender and flavorful, and the sauce was delicious. I'll definitely be making this again.


Nastexo Yasin
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This recipe is a great way to use up leftover chicken. The chicken is tender and flavorful, and the sauce is rich and creamy. I highly recommend this recipe.


Adnan Jan
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I've made this recipe several times and it's always a crowd-pleaser. The chicken is always cooked perfectly and the sauce is always delicious. I highly recommend this recipe.


Emilie
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This is one of my favorite recipes. It's so easy to make and always turns out delicious. The chicken is always tender and juicy, and the sauce is always flavorful.


Malik Mulwee
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I made this recipe for dinner last night and it was a hit! The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce was so flavorful. My family loved it.


DaGonk Ur
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This dish is absolutely delicious! The chicken is so tender and flavorful, and the sauce is rich and creamy. I highly recommend this recipe.


SaniYa YaQooB
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I was a bit skeptical about this recipe, but I'm so glad I tried it. The chicken was amazing and the sauce was even better. I'll definitely be making this again.


Elite Gamerz
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This recipe is a keeper! The chicken was perfectly cooked and the sauce was delicious. I will definitely be making this again.


Anjela Malisa
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I've tried this recipe a few times and it's always been a success. The chicken is always tender and juicy, and the sauce is always flavorful.


Cory Hall
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This is my go-to recipe for chicken. It's always a crowd-pleaser and it's so easy to make.


Ghulam Ishaq
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I love this recipe! It's so simple, yet so flavorful. The chicken is always cooked perfectly and the sauce is always delicious.


Mohamed Yare
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This recipe was easy to follow and the end result was delicious. The chicken was tender and flavorful, and the sauce was rich and creamy.


Elizabeth Makomu
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I've made this recipe several times and it's always a hit. The chicken is always so moist and delicious, and the sauce is perfect for spooning over rice.


Javia Edwards
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This dish was a real winner! The chicken was fall-off-the-bone tender and the sauce was incredibly flavorful. I especially loved the hint of ginger. It really brought the dish together.