Grilled Chicken Tibs with Garlic and Berbere Butter

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

Tender grilled chicken pieces sautéed with garlic and finished with a fragrant berbere-spiced butter glaze. This african-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs berbere spice blend, garlic cloves, minced, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 African cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces, with 2 tbsp berbere spice blend, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 5 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary to the pan; spoon the melted butter over the chicken and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the butter is infused with berbere flavor.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and transfer the chicken tibs to a serving plate.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges to squeeze over for a bright finish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Chicken Tibs with Garlic and Berbere Butter take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Grilled Chicken Tibs with Garlic and 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 berbere spice blend from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Chicken Tibs with Garlic and 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 Grilled Chicken Tibs with Garlic and 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 Grilled Chicken Tibs with Garlic and Berbere Butter?

African 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.

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