Lebanese Roasted Chicken Recipes

ROAST CHICKEN WITH LEMON AND ZA'ATAR

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, stir together yogurt, zest and juice of 1 lemon, garlic and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season the chicken inside and out with 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the bowl and coat with the yogurt mixture inside and out. Cover and refrigerate until cooking, up to 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Make the za'atar: In a small bowl, mix sesame seeds, sumac (if using), thyme, coriander, oregano, cumin and 1 tablespoon salt. Remove chicken from marinade and gently scrape off excess yogurt while leaving a nice coating. Transfer chicken to a sheet of parchment or wax paper. Coat chicken all over with the za'atar blend. Scrape up any spices that fall off and pack them on. Drizzle with remaining tablespoon oil and pat gently.
• Put 1 lemon half in the cavity of the bird. Tie legs together using butcher's twine, if desired, and place chicken in a small roasting pan. Arrange remaining 3 lemon halves and shallots cut-sides down in the pan surrounding the chicken. Add 1/4 cup water to the pan and roast on the middle rack for 30 minutes.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees, gently baste the chicken and add another 1/4 cup water. Roast for an additional 60 to 75 minutes, rotating the pan periodically. Turn the lemon and shallots occasionally, basting once or twice and add 1/4 cup water whenever the pan juices dry out. Cook until until the legs wiggle easily and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
• Let chicken rest 10 to 15 minutes before carving. Pour the pan juices (add a few tablespoons of water first, if they are very reduced) into a small gravy boat, degreasing or skimming some fat, if desired. Serve the chicken with the juices and the roasted shallots.

LEBANESE ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine first 6 ingredients in a large plastic ziploc bag.
• Add chicken and seal bag, then turn well to coat all pieces with the marinade.
• Place bag in refrigerator for 8 to 24 hours, turning occasionally.
• Remove bag from refrigerator one hour before baking.
• Preheat oven to 450*.
• Place the chicken in a roasting pan and season with salt and pepper.
• Pour any remaining marinade over the chicken.
• Roast for 15 minutes.
• Reduce heat to 375* and continue to roast 30 minutes or more if necessary until chicken is done.
• Baste with the pan juices every 10 or 15 minutes.

LEBANESE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Whisk fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, thyme, paprika, cumin and cayenne pepper in small bowl. Place chicken in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Pour marinade over; turn chicken to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight, turning occasionally.
• Preheat over to 425°F. Transfer chicken and marinade to large roasting pan. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Bake until chicken is golden brown and cooked through, occasionally basting with pan juices, about 50 minutes. Transfer chicken to plates. Garnish with lemon. Pass pan juices separately.