Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Chicken Tibs with Berbere Butter
Juicy pan-seared chicken pieces tossed in a rich berbere-spiced butter sauce, served with sautéed onions and peppers for a flavorful main. This ethiopian-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs unsalted butter, berbere spice mix, medium, sliced red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch pieces chicken thigh, boneless and skinless
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp berbere spice mix
- 1 medium, sliced red bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped for garnish fresh parsley
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat until foaming. Add 1 lb chicken thigh pieces and sear for 6-7 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp berbere spice mix, 1 sliced medium red bell pepper, and 1 sliced medium yellow onion to the skillet, sautéing for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and spices become fragrant.
- Step 3: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, stirring well to coat chicken and vegetables in the spiced butter.
- Step 4: Drizzle 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice over the skillet, toss to combine, and cook for an additional 2 minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot with injera or steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Chicken Tibs with Berbere Butter take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Chicken Tibs with Berbere Butter?
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 unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Chicken Tibs with Berbere Butter?
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 Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Chicken Tibs with Berbere Butter 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 Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Chicken Tibs with Berbere Butter?
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.
