Albanian chicken with yogurt (Tave Kosi)

Tave Kosi is a traditional Albanian dish, often compared to a gratin. Chicken is roasted before being topped with a mixture of yogurt, eggs, and melted butter. The slow cooking results in a creamy, slightly tangy, and very pleasant texture. It's a simple dish, originating from the countryside, where sheep's milk yogurt plays a central role. The recipe requires few ingredients, but the quality of the yogurt makes all the difference. There are no strong spices, only salt, pepper, and sometimes a touch of oregano. The strength of Tave Kosi lies in its mildness and rich, milky flavor. Served piping hot, it pairs well with rice or a green salad. This recipe is naturally gluten-free , making it perfect for those with intolerances.

Cooking method: Traditional

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 5

Special diet: naturally gluten-free

Ingredients

800g of chicken pieces ( I used breasts but mostly thighs)
500g of plain yogurt ( ideally sheep's milk or Greek yogurt)
3 eggs
40g of butter
1 tablespoon of olive oil
2 crushed garlic cloves
1 tsp dried oregano (optional but traditional in the south)
Salt, pepper
Gluten-free side dish: white rice, steamed potatoes or salad.

Preparation

1
Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2
Heat the oil in a pan and brown the chicken on all sides. Season with salt and pepper.
3
Place the chicken in an ovenproof dish.
4
Melt the butter in the same pan, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute over low heat.
5
In a bowl, whisk together the yogurt, eggs, garlic butter, and oregano.
6
Season lightly with salt and generously with pepper.
7
Pour this mixture over the chicken in the dish.
8
Bake for 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the sauce has set.
9
Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
10
Serve hot with rice, potatoes or salad.

Note

The yogurt should not be too runny → choose a thick yogurt to prevent the sauce from separating.

If the top browns too quickly: cover with baking paper.

Keywords: gluten-free tave kosi, Albanian yogurt chicken, traditional Albanian recipe, Balkan cuisine, easy chicken recipe, sheep's milk yogurt, GlutenEvasion Albania