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Home » recipe

Tamarind Chicken

Published: Feb 25, 2016 · Modified: Apr 12, 2020 by Amira · This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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A delicious, quick and easy chicken recipe perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or as a tasty addition to your weekend meal prep.
Total time 20 minutes
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   Dinner got easier with this tangy and mildly sweet chicken thighs. Serve with rice, pasta or noodles. In less than 45 minutes, you'll have a delicious homemade dinner that everyone will rave about.A close up of a plate of food, with Tamarind Chicken and pasta

This is a very easy chicken thighs recipe which is also very quick and tasty. tamarind leaves the chicken tangy and delicious while sugar and vinegar helps tenderize the thighs - as if they are not tender already. I like using thighs in this recipe instead of breast as it is more flavorful and kid friendly.

A close up of a plate of food, with Tamarind Chicken and pasta

I love tamarind drink, it is sweet, tangy and so delicious and it reminds me so much of the holy month of Ramadan. This drink is also very common in Egypt during the summer days, when it is super hot and humid, this drink comes to cool you down and hydrate your poor summer body.

This was my only experience with tamarind, until one day, one of my friends here made grape leaves mahshi and she used a clever trick of drizzling it with tamarind while cooking instead of lime juice and it tasted so so good, it was little darker than the usual one made with juist lime juice but it was much tastier.

A close up of a plate of food, with Tamarind Chicken and pasta

Since then, I have been thinking of using tamarind in marinating chicken and beef  but did not quite go for it. Until I just managed to figure out a nice combination of ingredients that really worked very well with chicken thighs. Feel free to use chicken breast instead but really, I believe chicken thighs are much better in this recipe.

 

We loved this dish and I am going to make it over and over again, not just because me and the hubby licked almost every drop of sauce but also because my youngest - who barely eats chicken- got crazy about this recipe and kept asking for more!!

Here is a video showing you how to prepare this simple tamarind chicken dish. I hope you'll like it... Enjoy!!

 

Tamarind chicken in a bowl over pasta.

Tamarind chicken

A delicious, quick and easy chicken recipe perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or as a tasty addition to your weekend meal prep.
4.42 from 36 votes
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Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Diet: Halal
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 363kcal
Author: Amira

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs- cut into 1-2 inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ⅓ cup tamarind juice or use 2 teaspoon tamarind paste + water
  • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • ⅓ cup soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in ¼ cup of water

Instructions

  • Heat up a large skillet over medium high heat. then pour in the olive oil.
  • Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • In a bowl combine garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, tamarind, vinegar and ketchup , mix everything well together.
  • When all the water has evaporated from the chicken and it is nice and a little brown , pour the sauce into the pan. Stir it around to cover all the chicken pieces.
  • When it boils, reduce the heat, and add the cornstarch dissolved in water, cover and let it cook for almost 20 minutes until done. Taste to adjust seasoning.
  • Garnish with some sesame seeds and serve hot with rice/pasta or noodles

Video

Notes

Do not use a tamarind juice with sugar, if so then skip the brown sugar in the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 996mg | Potassium: 736mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 2mg
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About Amira

I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! My hope is to introduce you to new flavors, creative ways and fresh takes on favorites. To help you create food with style that will bring everyone around your kitchen table. From weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sommer Osman

    June 12, 2021 at 12:26 pm

    5 stars
    Fantastic flavor

    Reply
  2. Gabi

    April 20, 2021 at 3:26 am

    5 stars
    I didn´t use the juice but it was really delicious, all the same!

    Reply
  3. NM

    March 24, 2021 at 5:37 pm

    3 stars
    Needed some ginger, scallions and carrots or peppers to brighten the recipe. Great sauce and starting point.

    Reply
  4. Susan Arbuthnot

    December 02, 2020 at 4:38 am

    haven't tried it yet but looks great!

    Reply
  5. Olivia

    February 06, 2020 at 1:40 pm

    I want to make this so bad! But the only tamarind type thing I found was tamarind concentrate. Is that the same thing as paste or juice?

    Reply
    • Amira

      February 07, 2020 at 11:36 am

      Olivia, usually they are the same. It is thick and sticky almost has the same consistency as honey. I hope this helps.

      Reply
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Hey Y'all, I'm Amira.
I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by!
I send warm greetings from sunny Colorado. This blog combines weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean.
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