Seared Mediterranean Spiced Lamb Chops with Tzatziki

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-21 · Updated 2026-07-21

Pan-seared lamb chops rubbed with warm Mediterranean spices served alongside a cooling cucumber tzatziki sauce for a balanced, flavorful meal. This Mediterranean-inspired lamb recipe (high protein, gluten free), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs lamb loin chops, ground cumin, ground coriander for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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

• 6 (about 1-inch thick, 1.5 lbs) lamb loin chops
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 medium, peeled and grated cucumber
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 small, minced garlic clove

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mix evenly over 6 lamb loin chops.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the lamb chops and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until a deep brown crust forms and the internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium-rare.
3. Step 3: While the lamb cooks, prepare the tzatziki: squeeze excess moisture from 1/2 peeled and grated cucumber using a clean kitchen towel. In a bowl, combine the cucumber with 1 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 minced small garlic clove. Stir until well combined.
4. Step 4: Remove lamb chops from the skillet and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve each chop with a generous dollop of tzatziki for a bright contrast to the spiced meat.