Cumin powder is a versatile spice that adds a warm, earthy flavor to dishes. It's especially complementary when paired with chicken. If you're looking for new ways to use cumin powder in chicken recipes, you've come to the right place!
Here are some of the most delicious cumin chicken recipes to add to your weekly meal rotation.
1. Easy Skillet Cumin Chicken
This easy skillet cumin chicken recipe comes together in just 30 minutes! Chicken breasts are rubbed with a blend of cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and olive oil. Then they're seared in a hot skillet for a quick, flavorful dinner. The spice rub gives a bold, Mexican-inspired flavor to the chicken. Slice up the chicken and serve in warm tortillas for easy tacos or over a fresh salad.
Easy Skillet Cumin Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Rub spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
- Let rest 5 minutes then slice and serve.
Benefits:
- Quick weeknight dinner ready in 30 minutes
- Easy pantry ingredients
- Delicious Mexican flavor
- Versatile for tacos, salads, etc
2. Cumin Roasted Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are so flavorful, inexpensive, and easy to cook. This cumin-roasted chicken thighs recipe coats them with a simple blend of cumin, garlic powder, paprika, and olive oil. Roast at high heat for crispy, caramelized chicken in just 40 minutes. The flavor pairing of earthy cumin and smoky paprika is always a winner. Serve with rice or roasted veggies.
Cumin Roasted Chicken Thighs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Place chicken thighs on a baking sheet and rub spice mixture all over.
- Roast for 35 minutes, until chicken is browned and juices run clear.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Benefits:
- Easy roast chicken recipe
- Crispy, caramelized chicken skin
- Rich flavor from dark meat chicken thighs
- Fancy dish with little effort
3. Sheet Pan Cumin Chicken & Veggies
Talk about an easy dinner! This sheet pan of cumin chicken and veggies couldn't be simpler. Just toss chicken breasts and veggies with a blend of cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, and oil. Roast everything together on one sheet pan for a fuss-free, flavorful dinner in 45 minutes. Use any veggies you have on hand like cauliflower, broccoli, potatoes, etc.
Sheet Pan Cumin Chicken & Veggies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, broccoli, bell pepper, onion and olive oil. Toss to coat.
- Add cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and black pepper. Toss to coat vegetables and chicken evenly.
- Arrange in a single layer on prepared baking sheet.
- Roast for 35 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and veggies are tender.
- Serve immediately.
Benefits:
- Hands-off sheet pan dinner
- Perfect weeknight meal
- Great way to eat more veggies
- Endless veggie combinations
4. Baked Cumin Chicken Breasts
These easy-baked cumin chicken breasts are a versatile recipe to have on hand. Boneless chicken breasts are coated in a flavorful blend of cumin, smoked paprika, garlic, and oil. Bake until golden and tender, about 30 minutes. The smoky paprika pairs nicely with the earthy cumin. Serve the chicken warm over greens for a salad or slice it up to add to pasta, sandwiches, and more.
Baked Cumin Chicken Breasts Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4 pieces)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet and brush spice mixture on both sides to coat.
- Bake for 20 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
- Let rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Benefits:
- Easy baked chicken recipe
- Versatile for salads, pasta, etc
- Smoky cumin flavor
- Quick 30-minute meal
5. Skillet Cumin Chicken and Rice
You only need one skillet to make an easy cumin chicken and rice dinner. First, chicken breasts are browned and set aside. Then rice is toasted and cooked in the skillet until tender. Finally, the chicken is added back to the skillet to absorb all the delicious flavors! Seasoned with cumin, chili powder, and lime juice. Ready in 30 minutes flat.
Skillet Cumin Chicken and Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup water
- Juice of 1 lime
- Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Season chicken all over with cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper.
- Heat 1/2 Tbsp oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
- Add remaining 1/2 Tbsp oil and onion to skillet. Cook 1 minute until softened. Add rice and garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Stir in chicken broth, water, lime juice and cooked chicken. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes until liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Garnish with cilantro before serving.
Benefits:
- One pan 30-minute meal
- Perfect weeknight dinner
- Easy pantry ingredients
- Flavorful cumin rice
6. Slow Cooker Cumin Chicken Tacos
Set it and forget it with these easy slow-cooker cumin chicken tacos. Just add chicken breasts, salsa, cumin, and spices to the slow cooker in the morning. Shred the tender chicken after 8 hours on low. Serve in flour tortillas or lettuce wraps for an effortless weeknight dinner. Top with avocado, cheese, cilantro, and lime.
Slow Cooker Cumin Chicken Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 Tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 12 small flour tortillas, warmed
Toppings: shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado, shredded cheese, lime wedges
Instructions
- Place chicken, salsa, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder and salt into a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Shred chicken with two forks.
- Serve shredded chicken in warm tortillas with desired toppings.
Benefits:
- Hands-off slow cooker meal
- Shredded chicken for tacos
- Easy dump-and-go recipe
- Customizable taco toppings
7. Cumin Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Transform leftover cumin chicken into flavorful sandwiches! This cumin chicken salad is made by shredding cooked cumin chicken breasts and combining it with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pile it onto crusty bread, croissants, or lettuce leaves for a quick lunch or light dinner. Sprinkle with sliced almonds or seeds for crunch.
Cumin Chicken Salad Sandwiches Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked cumin chicken
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 8 slices bread, toasted or lettuce leaves
- Sliced almonds, for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine shredded cumin chicken, Greek yogurt, lime juice, salt and pepper.
- Spoon chicken salad onto bread slices or lettuce leaves.
- Garnish with sliced almonds before serving.
Benefits:
- A delicious way to use leftovers
- Nutritious high-protein meal
- Sandwiches, lettuce wraps, etc
- Endless flavor combinations
8. Fajita-Style Cumin Chicken
Recreate the Tex-Mex flavors of sizzling fajitas at home with this recipe. Strips of chicken breast are sautted with sliced bell peppers and onion. Seasoned with a homemade blend of cumin, garlic, chili powder, and cayenne pepper. Serve in warm flour tortillas or over rice for a quick and easy 30-minute dinner.
Fajita-Style Cumin Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 8 small flour tortillas, warmed
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine chicken, bell pepper, onion and olive oil. Season with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder and cayenne. Toss to coat.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and veggie mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Serve chicken and veggie fajita mix in warm tortillas.
Benefits:
- Fast stove-top fajita recipe
- Use up veggies in your fridge
- Mild heat from chili powder and cayenne
- Easy homemade taco seasoning
FAQ
How much cumin should I use with chicken?
A good rule of thumb is 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of ground cumin per 1 pound of chicken. Add more or less depending on how prominent you want the cumin flavor to be. Always taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
What spices go well with cumin chicken?
Popular seasonings that complement cumin in chicken recipes include:
- Chili powder
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Coriander
- Turmeric
- Curry powder
Can I use cumin seeds instead of ground cumin?
Yes, you can substitute whole cumin seeds for ground cumin. Use about 1.5 times the amount of cumin seeds compared to ground cumin. Quickly toast the cumin seeds before grinding to release the essential oils and maximize flavor. Grind using a mortar and pestle, spice grinder or clean coffee grinder.
What is a good substitute for cumin in chicken recipes?
If you don't have cumin, these spices make good substitutes:
- Chili powder
- Garam masala
- Baharat seasoning
- Curry powder
- Caraway seeds
- Coriander
Start with small amounts and adjust to taste. The flavor won't be exactly the same as cumin, but should still complement chicken well.
Conclusion
Cumin chicken recipes are easy to make, budget-friendly, and bursting with warm, earthy flavor. The spice rubs and marinades require just a few pantry staples that you probably have on hand. Feel free to customize recipes with your favorite seasonings too.
From quick weeknight skillets to easy oven bakes and slow cooker meals, you'll find tons of variety. Serve cumin chicken shredded in tacos, over salad, stuffed in sandwiches or alongside rice or veggies.
With endless flavors to discover, you're sure to find a new favorite cumin chicken recipe to add to your regular dinner rotation.