Turkish Chicken with Creamy White Sauce
Turkish Chicken with Creamy White Sauce is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender boneless chicken breasts or thighs cooked in a luscious, velvety white sauce infused with traditional Turkish spices, fresh herbs, and a hint of tangy yogurt. Perfect for cozy dinners and special occasions, this easy-to-make recipe combines simple pantry ingredients and fresh flavors for a rich, satisfying meal ready in under 40 minutes.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
- Diet: Gluten Free (use gluten-free flour as substitute)
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, 2 tablespoons
- Pinch of dried herbs (optional)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups milk or heavy cream
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of dried herbs if desired. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep warm for later.
- Make the Roux: Reduce the heat to medium-low and add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes while stirring constantly to form the base of the white sauce and eliminate any raw flour taste.
- Add Dairy and Garlic: Slowly pour in the milk or heavy cream while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Stir in the minced garlic and let the sauce gently simmer for 3-5 minutes until it thickens. Then, mix in the yogurt for tanginess and a rich texture.
- Season and Herb It Up: Season the creamy sauce with salt and black pepper to taste. Fold in the chopped fresh dill and parsley to add a refreshing herbal aroma and vibrant color. Add lemon juice if using to brighten the flavors.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and spoon the creamy white sauce over the pieces to coat thoroughly. Let the dish simmer together for an additional 2-3 minutes so the chicken absorbs the flavors.
Notes
- Pat the chicken dry before cooking to ensure a nice sear and avoid steaming.
- Use full-fat dairy products for the richest and creamiest sauce.
- Cook the roux thoroughly to avoid a gritty sauce texture.
- Add fresh herbs toward the end to preserve their aroma and color.
- If sauce becomes too thick, add a little more milk or cream while simmering.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Turkish chicken, creamy white sauce, chicken recipe, easy dinner, Turkish spices, cozy meal