Hummus Chicken is the latest episode in my love affair with chickpeas and the magical, creamy dip it creates.
Email Me the Recipe!
From time to time, we'll send you the best of Well Plated. Already registered? Log in here.
Hummus and I became an item the year I graduated college.
After a few months in The Real World, I reached the unpleasant conclusion that, despite my fondest wishes and most ardent of attempts, one cannot subsist on scones and Chickpea Blondies alone.
I began seeking healthy, approachable snacks and ingredients that would make it easy to bulk up my cooking in a healthy way, and hummus (along with this Greek Layer Dip) became a staple in my diet.
A simple, scrumptious blend of my beloved chickpeas, tahini (sesame paste), lemon, garlic, and olive oil, hummus is an absolutely delightful healthy snack.
As this hummus chicken recipe proves, it’s ideal for cooking too!
5 Star Review
“This was week-night dinner perfection tonight! So fast, so healthy, so yummy!”
— Elizabeth —
Oh my goodness—I regret not discovering the magic that is hummus chicken sooner.
- It’s juicy—thanks to a thick coating of hummus that helps to keep the chicken breasts moist as they bake.
- It’s versatile—changing up the flavor profile of this baked chicken recipe is as simple as swapping out the flavor of hummus (but maybe save the Chocolate Hummus for dessert).
- It’s healthy—made with lean, plump chicken breasts and protein-packed hummus.
- And, the best part, it takes only five minutes to prep. Hummus chicken is a perfect 30-minute meal for busy weeknights.
How to Make Hummus Chicken
Healthy. Easy. Delicious. When it comes to dinner recipes, you can’t ask for much more than that. After trying this recipe once, you’ll be hooked on this simple, five-ingredient chicken recipe.
The Ingredients
- Hummus. You can use any flavor of hummus you love, or make my Homemade Hummus. Try this recipe with roasted red pepper hummus one night and Edamame Hummus another.
- Chicken Breasts. High in protein and low in fat, chicken breasts are an unexpected, albeit perfect, vessel for creamy, dreamy hummus.
- Cumin and Smoked Paprika. Add awesome depth of flavor that compliment the flavor of hummus. Free free to omit depending on the hummus variety selected.
- Basil and/or Parsley. Finishes the dish with a hint of fresh herby flavor.
The Directions
- Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer in a greased baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine the hummus, smoked paprika, and cumin.
- Generously top each chicken breast with the hummus mixture.
- Bake until the chicken is cooked through, remove, and garnish with herbs. ENJOY!
Storage Tips
- To Store. Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- To Reheat. Warm the chicken on a microwave-safe plate until heated through. Warming times will vary depending on the wattage of your microwave
What to Serve with Hummus Chicken
- Salad. Delicious Mediterranean Chickpea Salad would be great paired with this chicken.
- Vegetables. Pair this chicken with Roasted Zucchini for a healthy meal.
- Rice. A side of Moroccan Couscous would be a perfect side dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes (and no). As with any food, it’s all about moderation. Hummus is packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and folate. However, it is also high in carbohydrates and store-bought hummus is also often high in sodium.
The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Bake uncovered for best results so the hummus develops a nice crust on the outside. If baked covered, steam will become trapped inside and cause the recipe to become soupy (but delicious nonetheless).
Hummus Chicken
email me the recipe!
From time to time, we’ll send you the best of Well Plated. Already registered? Log in here.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup hummus any flavor, plus additional for dunking
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- Fresh basil and/or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Spray a medium-sized baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, then place the chicken in the pan in a single layer.
- In a small bowl, stir together the hummus, smoked paprika, and cumin. Coat the chicken with the hummus mixture, ensuring that each breast is well covered.
- Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (time will vary depending upon the size of the chicken. Mine were about 9 ounces each and cooked in 22 minutes). Garnish with fresh basil and/or parsley as desired. Serve immediately with additional hummus for dipping.
Notes
- TO STORE: Leftover hummus chicken may be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- TO REHEAT: Warm the hummus chicken on a microwave-safe plate until heated through. Warming times will vary depending on the wattage of your microwave.
Nutrition
Join today and start saving your favorite recipes
Create an account to easily save your favorite recipes and access FREE meal plans.
Sign Me Up
I just made this, and it’s awesome! I followed the recipe exactly and it came out perfect! I used plain Trader Joe’s hummus. I think the cumin is a wonderful touch in the recipe.
Thanks for another great, EASY, healthy recipe, Erin!
Hooray! I’m so happy to know that you all enjoyed it. Thanks for letting me know :)
is the chicken supposed to be cooked covered or uncovered? I just cooked it covered and it was all soupy. Thanks
Brittany, it bakes uncovered (generally, unless a recipe is supposed to be covered, it will be unspecified and the directions.) I’m sorry it came out soupy! Hopefully you can remove the chicken with a fork and leave the liquidy part behind. Dipping it with a bit of extra hummus should help too.
Does the hummus only get applied to the tops of the chicken? I erred on the side of caution and covered both sides, but want to be sure for next time. Can’t wait to see how it tastes!
Hi Emily, I just covered the top, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt anything to do both! I hope you enjoyed the chicken!
Thank you! I used green hatch chili hummus…a bit spicy, but good! I will definitely be making this again!
That sounds delicious!
This recipe is excellent! I used a box of Near East Olive Oil and Garlic couscous (without adding the extra olive oil) as I had that in the house. Besides being delicious, it’s fast and easy.
Carole, thanks so much for taking the time to review this recipe! That couscous sounds like a delicious addition, and I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
This was week-night dinner perfection tonight! So fast, so healthy, so yummy! Thanks Erin! I served it with steamed veggies on the side.
THRILLED to hear it Elizabeth, thank you for sharing this kind review. It means a lot!
This was so delicious and flavorful! I seasoned the chicken with salt and pepper and cut large breasts in half lengthwise, 20 minutes to cook! I served this with roasted potatoes and arugula salad, dressed with olive oil, lemon, and parmesan. I will make this again and again, we loved it! Thanks for the recipe!
Crissy, I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks so much for taking the time to report back!
This was a total winner for a night that I needed to expend very little energy on dinner! I’m planning to do a little more prep to the chicken next time with stabbing and cutting so the seasonings get a little further into the meat, but I’ll definitely be making this again.
Jessi, I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave this review too!
The whole family loved this…doing it again tonight…thank you…
I’m glad it was a winner, Dennis! Thanks for reporting back!
This was really good! I only made 2 chicken breasts so halved the rest of the ingredients. Used the same roasted red pepper hummus. I did broil it for about 2 minutes after the chicken was done baking; that allowed for an actual “crust” of the hummus to form. It was delicious! The chicken was perfectly tender and very flavorful. I served it with toasted Israeli couscous and seasoned green beans.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Marisa! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
So easy and yummy!
Hi Lauren! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!