Here's a quick and simple za'atar chicken recipe that will wow your guests and family! This savory and juicy chicken is marinated in za'atar substitute and sumac powder, then baked in a cast iron skillet. Zaatar chicken is an impressive dish that cooks of all skill levels can master!
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I recently prepared a fresh batch of bezar spice and wanted to incorporate it into a quick dinner recipe. Using it in combination za'atar, a Middle Eastern spice blend, and sumac, was a big win and got rave reviews from my family!
Most za'atar chicken recipes are only prepared with za'atar | zaatar seasoning, an earthy and warm spice mix made with the combination of toasted sesame seeds, sumac, hyssop or thyme, marjoram, oregano, and salt. So why do I add additional sumac powder to my recipe? Honestly, I just can't get enough of it's lemony-tangy flavor!
You can make the za'atar spice from scratch with my easy recipe, or you can purchase za'atar on Amazon or any Middle Eastern market. Bezar is optional, so if you don't have it, it's totally fine.
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😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This is a one-pot (or pan) recipe that's quick, easy and so delicious!
- Once you buy or make the spice mixes used in this recipe, you'll open the door to many other dish possibilities, for example, sumac chicken, musakhan, manakish, and sambousek!
- This za'atar chicken recipe can be prepared ahead of time by marinating the chicken until you're ready to cook it.
🛒 What You Need For This Recipe
🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chicken: I used bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, but you can also use boneless chicken which would require less cooking time.
- Lemon: I used 1 rind from one Moroccan preserved lemon because I had recently made a new batch. However, you can substitute the juice and zest of one medium lemon.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves can be substituted with 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Seasoning: I used a combination of bezar, za'atar seasoning, and sumac. Both bezar and za'atar can be easily made at home with common ingredients. You can also substitute baharat spice mix for the bezar. Sumac can be purchased in most Middle Eastern markets or on Amazon. For my spicy friends, I also recommend adding 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper or ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
*A full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card.
🍗 How to Make Za'atar Chicken
Step 1: In a small bowl, mix olive oil, and lemon juice (or the rinsed and chopped peel from one preserved lemon). Add crushed garlic, salt, za'atar, ground sumac, and bezar. Whisk to incorporate the ingredients.
Step 2: Drizzle marinade over chicken pieces and work into the flesh to infuse the marinade flavor. Place in a large bowl or a plastic ziplock bag and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight.
Step 3: Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange chicken thighs in a large cast-iron skillet (or other oven-safe pan or dish). Bake for 45 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. If the skin is not crispy and brown, place the chicken under the broiler for a few minutes longer.
How to Make Grilled Za'atar Chicken
Another option is to grill the marinated chicken instead of baking it. To do so, grill zaatar marinated chicken thighs over medium-high heat until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
🍽 What to Serve with Za'atar Chicken
Sauce Options
Za'atar chicken can be served with chicken yogurt sauce or garlic tahini sauce on the side. If you're looking for something with a little added spice, try this addicting elevated hot honey recipe!
For low-calorie options, try this Lebanese Tabbouleh a zesty quinoa salad, or this tasty sauteed kale recipe.
Rice Options
Za'atar Chicken also pairs well with dill rice, vermicelli rice, and Baghali Polo.
🥘 Other Chicken Recipes
If you need more chicken recipes, I've got you covered! For starters, you can try these keto chicken chips. They're light, crisp, and great for dunking into your favorite dips!
If you're in the mood for a curry, try this delicious Kerala chicken curry. It's made with coconut milk and warm Indian spices. Another favorite is this spicy Korean chicken bulgogi recipe. It's loaded with flavor and only requires 5 minutes to cook!
🤷🏻♀️ Recipe FAQs
Za'atar is tangy, earthy, and nutty. Traditional za'atar is made with a combination of sesame seeds, sumac powder, and hyssop, which grows in the Middle East. Because hyssop is hard to find, most za'atar spice blends replace the hyssop with thyme. Other herbs like oregano and marjoram are also added.
If you don't have zaatar, you can substitute toasted sesame seeds, sumac, and dried herbs (oregano, thyme, and marjoram). A good replacement for the tanginess of sumac is lemon zest.
Za'atar is not hot or spicy. Most za'atar spice blends do not contain chiles, cayenne, or crushed red pepper, so za'atar is considered to be a mild, yet flavorful-packed seasoning.
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- This za'atar chicken recipe can also be prepared with a whole chicken, drumsticks, and chicken breasts. The baking time would need to be adjusted accordingly.
- Add leftovers to wraps, or substitute for this rotisserie chicken salad recipe, fig pizza, or sandwiches.
- Store leftover zaatar chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
🌶 Other Related Recipes
If you love this za'atar chicken recipe, you may be interested in the following recipes.
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Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice (or the rinsed and chopped peel from one preserved lemon). Add crushed garlic, salt, za'atar, ground sumac, and bezar. Whisk to incorporate the ingredients.
- Drizzle marinade over chicken pieces and work into the flesh to infuse the marinade flavor. Place in a large bowl or a plastic ziplock bag and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange chicken thighs into a large cast-iron skillet (or other oven-safe pan or dish). Bake for 45 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. If the skin is not crispy and brown, broil for a few minutes longer.
- Another option is to grill the marinated chicken instead of baking it. To do so, grill za'atar marinated chicken thighs over medium high heat until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Nutrition
Notes
- Zaatar chicken can also be prepared with a whole chicken, drumsticks, and chicken breasts. The baking time would need to be adjusted accordingly.
- Add leftovers to wraps, rotisserie chicken salad recipe, fig pizza, or sandwiches.
- Store leftover za'atar chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
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