Berbere Spiced Chicken Breasts

Name: Berbere Spiced Chicken Breasts
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 1 chicken breast
Ingredients: 1 skinless, boneless chicken breast half - lightly pounded to an even thickness; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 tablespoon berbere spice blend, or to taste; 2 teaspoons butter; 1 lime, juiced; 2 teaspoons tomato paste; ¼ cup chicken broth, or as needed; ⅓ cup coconut milk; ½ teaspoon berbere spice blend, or to taste; Salt to taste; 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Rating: 4.38 stars

26 Ratings
20 Reviews
9 Photos

One of my favorite uses for berbere spice is this chicken breast recipe. But you can use a pork chop or a piece of lamb, it's so versatile.

By Chef John

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Recipe Summary

prep:

10 mins

cook:

10 mins

total:

20 mins

Servings:

Yield:

1 chicken breast

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1

Season both sides of chicken breast with salt. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon berbere spice mix to coat both sides of chicken breast (see Cook's Note for recipe link).

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Step 2

Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat until it just starts to turn brown. Immediately transfer chicken breast to skillet; cook 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a warm dish.
Step 3

Stir in lime juice, tomato paste, chicken broth, and coconut milk; stir to deglaze pan. Bring to a simmer while stirring. Add 1/2 teaspoon berbere spice and a pinch of salt. Transfer chicken breast back to skillet; reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until chicken is cooked through and sauce starts to reduce, basting chicken with pan juices as it cooks, 4 or 5 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
Step 4

Sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Serve with a drizzle of the pan sauce.

Chef's Note:

Here's a link to a recipe for making your own Berbere Spice Blend.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

432 calories; protein 28.4g 57% DV; carbohydrates 15.7g 5% DV; fat 28.1g 43% DV; cholesterol 92.2mg 31% DV; sodium 3392.6mg 136% DV. Full Nutrition

Reviews (20)

Most helpful positive review

Bart Jasiewicz

11/19/2016

I love trying out recipes from all corners of the world and when I heard this was an Ethiopian dish, I knew I had to try it out, especially since it was from Chef John. As always, he did not disappoint. This spice blend turned the regular, bland chicken taste that we're all used to into something completely different. The sauce complemented it real nice. I served it with a bit of mashed cauliflower (we're trying to watch the carbs) and my wife loved it. Read More

Helpful

(7)

Most helpful critical review

RainbowEyes

02/10/2018

Too much tomato paste- the amount called for just overwhelmed the flavors of everything else and it tasted like just.. tomato sauce with some spice. I kept adding more coconut milk and berbere but it was still lost to the tomato. Will try again with less tomato paste next time:) Read More

Helpful

(1)

26 Ratings

5 star values: 13
4 star values: 10
3 star values: 3
2 star values: 0
1 star values: 0

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

Bart Jasiewicz

11/19/2016

Helpful

(7)

Sophia

02/10/2018

My family makes the authentic Doro Wat from the time they lived in Ethiopia. This was a good take on it. Changed it by added onion to the pan with chicken and only 1/2 lime and whole hard boiled eggs at the end. No cilantro as that is not Ethiopian. Will definitely make again. Read More

Helpful

(6)

Gordon

01/22/2018

We love Ethiopian food but this is the first time I've made it. Turned out great. Amazing appetizing aroma too. We all loved it. I used 1 lb breasts, two to a pan (2 pans) but they weren't cooked through in the times shown so I moved them to a baking dish (without the reduced sauce) and baked for 15 minutes at 350. I poured out all of the pan juices and put most of the reduced sauce on them, leaving some of the sauce so people could add extra if they wanted. The chicken was tender and delicious. FYI: I purchased the berbere spice at the grocery store (Kroger) rather than making it as the video shows. Read More

Helpful

(3)

William Braun

03/02/2017

A wonderful change of pace! Read More

Helpful

(2)

LOOSENUP

09/17/2017

Loved it! Read More

Helpful

(2)

Melly

08/17/2017

I love layers of flavors and this chicken had many. This will be made over and over again at our home. What an amazing treat. Read More

Helpful

(2)

Brandon T.

08/09/2017

Great meal! I will definitely do this again! Read More

Helpful

(1)

RainbowEyes

02/10/2018

Helpful

(1)

rmjones39@comcast.net

07/18/2018

My finicky child also loves this recipe. It has the blend of spices that excited taste buds. Read More

Helpful

(1)

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Nutritional Information

Berbere Spiced Chicken Breasts

Servings Per Recipe: 1
Calories: 432

% Daily Value *

protein: 57 %

carbohydrates: 5 %

dietary fiber: 27 %

sugars:

fat: 43 %

saturated fat: 102 %

cholesterol: 31 %

vitamin a iu: 13 %

niacin equivalents: 135 %

vitamin b6: 35 %

vitamin c: 39 %

folate: 6 %

calcium: 6 %

iron: 23 %

magnesium: 24 %

potassium: 16 %

sodium: 136 %

thiamin: 12 %

calories from fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.