Oven-Baked Fourth Spice Lamb Chops with Herb Yogurt
Tender lamb chops seasoned with a blend of four warm spices, oven-baked and served with a cooling herb-infused yogurt sauce. This mediterranean-inspired lamb (mediterranean) ready in about 38 minutes pairs about 1-inch thick lamb rib chops, olive oil, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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
- 8 pieces, about 1-inch thick lamb rib chops
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh mint
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove, minced garlic clove
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper into a marinade.
- Step 2: Rub the marinade evenly over 8 lamb rib chops (about 1-inch thick) and let them rest for 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 3: Arrange the lamb chops on a baking sheet lined with foil and roast in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes for medium-rare, turning halfway through for even cooking.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare the herb yogurt sauce by combining 1 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint, 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 minced garlic clove in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate.
- Step 5: Remove the lamb chops from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with the chilled herb yogurt sauce.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Baked Fourth Spice Lamb Chops with Herb Yogurt take to make?
Total time is about 38 minutes (20 min prep + 18 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 Oven-Baked Fourth Spice Lamb Chops with Herb Yogurt?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Baked Fourth Spice Lamb Chops with Herb Yogurt?
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 Oven-Baked Fourth Spice Lamb Chops with Herb Yogurt 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 Oven-Baked Fourth Spice Lamb Chops with Herb Yogurt?
Mediterranean lamb 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.