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    Published: Apr 12, 2023 · Modified: Sep 20, 2023 by Maika · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Curried Air Fryer Lamb Chops with Chickpea Cucumber Salad

    Aromatic spiced air fryer lamb chops cooked to perfection and a refreshing citrusy chickpea salad of tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and scallions served with a creamy avocado sauce.

    curried lamb chops on top of chickpea cucumber salad with avocado cream sauce on the bottom

    Simple Air Fryer Lamb Chop Recipe

    Are you ready to try something incredibly delicious in your air fryer? Then prepare for a new craving: an air fryer lamb chops with Mediterranean spices recipe. This dish is also packed with exciting twists of flavorful ingredients, a mash-up of North American, Mediterranean, and Indian cuisine.

    The richness of the spiced lamb chops is balanced perfectly with the refreshing sweetness and tanginess of the chickpea salad and creamy avocado sauce that ties everything together. That is to say, it's literally a taste sensation you'll never forget. With only a few simple steps and minimal prep time, as a result, this delicious and tender meal is ready in just 25 minutes.

    If you love curry, try the Air Fryer Roasted Chicken Chickpeas Vegetable Curry, Masala Chickpeas and Egg Curry, and Curry Lentil Turkey Stew recipes. Wait! There's more! Check out Curried Chickpeas and Mushrooms with Spiced Brown Basmati Rice.

    For a Mediterranean vibe, check out the popular Air Fryer Branzino with Lemon Potatoes and Vegetables, Spicy Chicken Pitas with Arugula Feta Pomegranate Salad, and Hot Honey Lemon Chicken Skewers with Asparagus.

    Jump to:
    • Simple Air Fryer Lamb Chop Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Cooking tip
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Mediterranean Recipes
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Video
    • Recipe
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Food safety
    • Have a Comment or Question?

    Ingredients

    Seasoning Lamb Chops

    First, if not already done, you will cut your lamb rack into lamb chops to get started. Then, you will marinate the lamb chops in a bowl with ginger paste, avocado oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, garam masala, Jamaican curry, Cajun spice, salt, and ground black pepper. Very easy!

    See the air fryer lamb chops recipe card for quantities.

    Ingredients in containers on a round pizza pan for the curry lamb chops

    Mediterranean-Inspired Chickpea Salad Ingredients

    For this fun salad, in a bowl, you'll combine the chickpeas, quartered Campari tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced scallions, lemon juice and zest, avocado oil, Cajun spice, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Once mixed well, just check for a balance of salt, lemon juice, and oil. Just 8 Ingredients for this Salad!

    See the air fryer lamb chops recipe card for quantities.

    chickpeas cucumber tomato salad in a metal bowl with a metal serving spoon for curry lamb chops.

    Greek Yogurt Avocado Dressing

    To make this dressing, mash up the ripe avocado and add Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, cilantro, garam masala, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. As a result, the cilantro and avocado complement the curried lamb very well. In addition, the mayonnaise in the dressing provides extra creaminess to balance the tartness from the lemon juice and yogurt. So simple and so versatile. So use this dressing for everything!

    See the air fryer lamb chops recipe card for quantities.

    prep for the avocado cream sauce in containers on a black pizza pan for curry lamb chops.

    Final Result: Avocado Cream Sauce

    Avocado Cream Sauce in a metal bowl with a whisk on a light wood board with a halved avocado and blue and white kitchen towel

    Instructions

    raw rack of lamb on a  plastic cutting board for curry lamb chops.

    Even though the package may label the lamb as Frenched, sometimes it needs a little more work.

    rack of lamb laying flat next to a boning knife on a plastic cutting board.

    Scrape the bones clean to prevent burnt pieces from roasting.

    Scraped bones of a lamb rack on a plastic cutting board for curry lamb chops.

    You may have to trim extra fat, but leave a thin layer to hold the meat together.

    rack of lam on cutting board with a gloved hand pointing to its end

    Then, you will cut between each bone.

    one peace of lamb chop divided from a rack of lamb on a cutting board for curry lamb chops.

    Just follow your knife all the way down, using your knife to feel between the bones.

    one peace of lamb chop divided from a rack of lamb on a cutting board for curry lamb chops. with gloved hand pointing to the lamb chop

    Also, make sure to stay in the middle for even pieces.

    three lamb chops on a plastic cutting board with a boning knife for curry lamb chops

    End pieces tend to be skimpier.

    Busy Folks - Become a better home cook with cooking tips to help you cook more efficiently on Cook's Notebook tab.  In addition, some related detailed steps can be found there. Learn more about prepping lamb.

    Substitutions

    • Mayonnaise - Try using mayonnaise made with olive oil or vegan mayo.
    • Jamaican Curry and Garam Masala - Use Indian yellow curry powder
    • Campari Tomatoes - These tomatoes tend to be sweet with low acidity. For example, try using grape, cherry, or plum tomatoes as a replacement since they usually are sweeter than globe tomatoes.
    • Lamb Chops - This rub will work great on white fish and chicken breast and should take 6 to 8 minutes in the air fryer when using thin cuts.

    Change Heat Level - Modify the air fryer lamb chop recipe's heat level to your liking and learn more about the Scoville Scale and Chili Pairings.

    Variations

    Use ingredients separately for other meals.

    • Lamb Rack Roast - Keep the lamb whole, and use the spices to make a lamb rack roast
    • Great Side Dish - Use the chickpea salad as a great side dish for your Mediterranean-themed meal.
    • Avocado Cream Sauce - Use the cream sauce to make lamb burgers; on the other hand, try using the cream sauce for fish tacos.

    Or serve the curried lamb chops with the Quick 5 Vegetable Medley, also done in the air fryer.

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowls - Used for marinating the lamb, making the chickpea salad, and avocado cream sauce.
    • Air Fryer - For the lamb chops. In addition, this recipe was developed using the Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill. However, you can try roasting in the oven if you do not have an air fryer.
      • For example, you have two options with different results: a sheet pan with parchment paper or a sheet pan with a sheet pan rack. For instance, the parchment paper will produce vegetables roasted in their juices and caramelization at the bottom.
      • In contrast, the sheet pan rack will result in just roasting around the vegetables due to the hot air flowing around the vegetables. Now, the trick is not to overcrowd in whatever method you choose, but if this happens, toss in between cooking.

    Kitchen Must Haves - Find other tools I use here.

    Storage

    • Refrigerator - To store in the fridge, you can place the lamb, chickpea salad, and avocado sauce in separate shallow 2-inch containers to cool down quickly. Then, store in an air-tight sealing container. The meal will last up to three days.
    • Freezer - I do not recommend freezing the chickpea salad and avocado sauce. However, follow the refrigeration process mentioned above. Then, you can place the lamb in the freezer in a labeled, airtight plastic sealing bag.

    Cooking tip

    Prepare Lamb Chops - Gather all the ingredients listed for the curried lamb chops. Also, make sure that your lamb rack is fresh. In addition, the flesh should not be slimy, and it should be bright red. First, use a sharp knife to carefully remove any excess thick fat pieces from the meat, as this can prevent it from cooking evenly.

    Then, scrape away any membrane around the bone's surface to make it look neat. Finally, we come to the fun part: cutting between the bones to create individual lamb chops.

    Using your essential tool - a sharp boning knife - cut down vertically along right in the middle of each bone to separate them. This process may take some patience and practice to get right, but trust me, it will be worth it—and once it's finished, season with the spices listed in the lamb chop recipe.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why Jamaican Curry, Garam Masala, and Cajun Spice?

    This bypasses the numerous spices you'll need to collect and add to this dish. Plus, these spices are versatile to use in other recipes.

    What is Jamaican Curry Powder?

    Jamaican curry powder is a unique spice blend that can add a deliciously spicy and aromatic flavor to any dish. Its yellow color comes from turmeric powder. In addition, other spices it may usually contain are mustard seeds, anise, ginger, coriander, scotch bonnet, cinnamon, fenugreek, and ground black pepper.

    Its origins date back to the mid-1800s when Indian workers immigrated to Jamaica, bringing their spices. Evidently, over time, these spices mixed with local Jamaican ingredients and flavors, resulting in a creative and flavorful curry powder that has now become well-known around the globe.

    Try my Chicken Curry Stir-Fry with Coconut Rice.

    What is Garam Masala?

    This Indian brown spice blend has a unique nutmeg fragrance compared to generic yellow curry powder due to the combination of anise, fennel, cinnamon, cardamom, caraway seeds, Indian bay leaves, black pepper, cloves, and mace. The name also means "spice blend/mixture."

    What is Cajun Spice?

    Firstly, Cajun is a mash-up of French, African, and Spanish cultures on American soil. It also reminds me of my Haitian heritage and how similar we are from the language to the food.

    In addition, the spices included in this blend are usually smoked paprika, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, and white or black pepper. Herbs like basil and oregano can also be found in the seasoning.

    Likewise, the spice blend has influences from their cultural blend in Louisiana cuisine. Also, learn more in my Blacken Trout with Chorizo Beans and Garlic Broccoli post.

    What are Lamb Chops?

    The rack of lamb is a delicious and tender cut of meat that comes from the sheep's rib area, usually with eight chops weighing 1 to 2 pounds each. It's around 16 ounces for a New Zealand rack compared to an American 2-pounder.

    It is said to be leaner and healthier than beef. In addition, this recipe uses the Frenched Rack to expose the bones by scrapping off the membrane and some meat from the bone. Although not a recipe I tested, this may work with loin chops.

    What is a Boning Knife?

    It's a knife with a very narrow, long blade, making it great for making precision cuts and getting between bones and joints to cut and separate meat.

    What are Compari Tomatoes?

    Compari tomatoes are a huge favorite in our household. In addition, they are a size between a cherry and plum tomato. They are also sweet with just the right balance of acidity, making them great to add to anything.

    Mediterranean Recipes

    Looking for other Mediterranean recipes like this? Try these:

    • italian chicken sausage stuffed portobello mushroom wtih spaghetti smothered in tomato sauce and melted burrata cheese
      Italian Chicken Sausage Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Burrata & Sauce
    • Spicy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a round pasta bowl garnished with grated cheese and pistachios
      Spicy Pesto Chicken Pasta Homemade One-Pot-Meal
    • spicy basil pesto in glass bowl with a spoon and fresh basil in the background
      Homemade Easy Spicy Basil Pesto
    • Chicken sweet potato zucchini stew in a tomato base sauce with couscous in a round white pasta bowl on a wooden board
      Spicy Chicken Vegetable Stew with Harissa Tomato Sauce
    See more Mediterranean →

    Air Fryer Recipes

    Looking for other air fryer recipes like this? Try these:

    • Air fried sliced chicken breast over hot honey glazed root vegetables on a round white plate
      Air Fryer Chicken Breast with Hot Honey Glazed Vegetables
    • Air Fryer Branzino with Lemon Potatoes and Vegetables
    • Breaded sliced tofu and brown rice topped with curried potatoes, carrots and onions on a white round plate.
      Herb Panko Tofu with Curried Potatoes, Carrots and Onions
    • Sweet and spicy sauce coated breaded chicken with multigrain rice, vegetable onion garnish on a white plate.
      Sweet and Spicy Gochujang Chicken and Broccoli Stir-fry with Scallions Radish Salad
    See more Air fryer →

    Video

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    Recipe

    📖 Recipe

    Curried Air Fryer Lamb Chops with Chickpea Cucumber Salad

    Aromatic spiced lamb chops cooked to perfection and served with a creamy avocado cream sauce and a citrusy, refreshing chickpea salad of tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and scallions.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Calories 862.88 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound lamb chops
    • 2 tablespoon ginger paste
    • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
    • 1 each lemon juice and zest
    • 5 garlic cloves minced or garlic pressed
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala
    • 1 teaspoon Jamaican curry powder
    • 1 teaspoon cajun spice
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 can chickpeas
    • 1 cup Campari tomatoes quartered
    • 1 cup cucumber large diced
    • ¼ cup scallions medium sliced
    • ½ lemon juice and zest
    • ½ tablespoon avocado oil
    • 1 teaspoon cajun spice
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 large avocado
    • 5 ounces Greek plain yogurt
    • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
    • ½ lemon juice and zest
    • ¼ cup cilantro coarsely chopped
    • ¼ teaspoon garam masala
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • For the lamb, in a medium 3-quart mixing bowl, add lamb chops, ginger paste, oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, garam masala, Jamaican curry powder, cajun spice, salt, and black pepper and combine well.
    • Cover the lamb bowl with plastic wrap, push the wrap onto the meat, and set aside in the refrigerator.
    • For the chickpea salad, in a medium 3-quart mixing bowl, add chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumbers, scallions, lemon juice, lemon zest, avocado oil, cajun spice, salt, and ground black pepper, and combine well.
    • Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit with the cooking timer at 10 minutes.
    • For the dressing, in a small 2-cup mixing bowl, add avocado and mash with a whisk to a chunky, creamy texture.
    • To the avocado, add the Greek plain yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, zest, cilantro, garam masala, kosher salt, and black pepper and whisk to combine well.
    • When the air fryer is ready, add the lamb, spacing them out to give enough air to circulate between pieces. Depending on the size of the air fryer, this step may have to be repeated twice.
    • For plating, spoon the creamy avocado sauce on the plate, add the chickpea salad next, then the lamb chops on top cascading on the plate. 4 Servings of lamb chops per person.
    Yield: 3
    Author: Maika Frederic
    Curried Air Fryer Lamb Chops with Chickpea Cucumber Salad

    Curried Air Fryer Lamb Chops with Chickpea Cucumber Salad

    Aromatic spiced lamb chops cooked to perfection and served with a creamy avocado cream sauce and a citrusy, refreshing chickpea salad of tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and scallions.
    Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 10 MinTotal time: 25 Min

    Ingredients

    Curried Lamb
    Chickpea Salad
    Chunky Avocado Dressing

    Instructions

    Notes

    Alternative to Lamb Chops

    • This rub will work great on white fish and chicken breast and should take about 6 to 8 minutes in the air fryer.

    Campari Tomatoes Substitute

    • I love using Campari tomatoes because they are sweet and full of flavor with less tartness from the acidity
    • Try cherry or grape tomatoes

    Storage: Refrigerator

    • To store in the refrigerator, you can place the lamb, chickpea salad and avocado sauce in seperate shallow 2-inch pans to cool down quickly.
    • Then store in an air-tight sealing container.
    • The meal will last up to three days.

    Storage: Freezer

    • I do not recommend freezing the chickpea salad and avocado sauce.
    • First, follow the refrigeration process mentioned above.
    • Then you can place the lamb in the freezer in a labeled, airtight plastic sealing bag.

    Reheat: Stove Top

    • Thaw the lamb out entirely in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth if frozen.
    • I suggest heating the lamb slowly in a saute pan on low heat, covering it with a lid with a small amount of broth to steam, and occasionally shaking the pan to prevent sticking to the bottom.

    Reheat: Air Fryer

    • Thaw the lamb out entirely in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth if frozen.
    • Heat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and reheat for about 3 minutes.

    Reheat: Microwave

    • Thaw the lamb out entirely in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth if frozen.
    • Heat the lamb on a plate for two minutes with a microwave cover.


    Recommended Products:

    Ninja AG301 Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake & Dehydrate, Black/Silver
    Ikea Stainless Steel Serving Bowl (2 Pack) 5
    KitchenAid Citrus Squeezer, Standard, Yellow

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories

    862.88

    Fat

    34.52 g

    Sat. Fat

    7.44 g

    Carbs

    55.53 g

    Fiber

    12.83 g

    Net carbs

    42.69 g

    Sugar

    3.55 g

    Protein

    52.17 g

    Sodium

    2119.36 mg

    Cholesterol

    118.7 mg

    These are calculations based on search results of the ingredient's nutritional information.


    Similar Recipes

    Air Fryer Branzino with Lemon Potatoes and Vegetables

    Blackened Trout with Chorizo Beans, and Garlic Broccoli

    Spiced Salmon with Pepper Cabbage Slaw and Yellow Rice

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    Food safety

    • Cook chicken to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C).
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat to prevent foodborne illness from contaminated uncooked meats.
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat to prevent cross-contamination.
    • Don't leave food at room temperature for extended periods; this can breed bacteria.
    • Never leave cooking food unattended to prevent burns and fires.
    • Use oils with a high smoke point to avoid harmful compounds.
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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    Welcome. I’m Maika, a former professional culinarian for over a decade. I’ve worked for major hotels such as the PGA National Resort, The Ritz-Carlon Hotel Company, Conrad Hilton, and W Hotel. And as a lifetime passionate cook, my blog is about exploring a world of flavors and experimenting with recipes to create restaurant-quality quick and easy dishes that will excite the taste buds.

    More about me →

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