Berbere-Spiced Chicken Tibs with Garlic Butter Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken chunks sautéed with traditional Ethiopian berbere spice and finished with a rich garlic butter sauce, served with injera or rice. This ethiopian-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, berbere spice blend, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 360 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 1 lb boneless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces with 2 tbsp berbere spice blend, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium thinly sliced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.
  3. Step 3: Add the marinated chicken pieces to the skillet and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until garlic is fragrant and butter sauce coats the chicken.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, drizzle with 1 tbsp lemon juice, and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for brightness.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately with injera flatbread or steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Berbere-Spiced Chicken Tibs with Garlic Butter Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Berbere-Spiced Chicken Tibs with Garlic Butter Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep boneless chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Berbere-Spiced Chicken Tibs with Garlic Butter Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Berbere-Spiced Chicken Tibs with Garlic Butter Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Berbere-Spiced Chicken Tibs with Garlic Butter Sauce?

Ethiopian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes