Zaatar Chicken Middle Eastern Recipes

ZA'ATAR ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST RECIPE

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the marinade ingredients.
• Place the chicken in a deep pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cover with the marinade, making sure to work some of the marinade underneath the skin (this is important for flavor). Cover and place the chicken in the fridge for four hours.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Transfer the chicken and marinade to a baking dish or a cast iron skillet. Sprinkle with a little more sumac and paprika. Now, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the za'atar, and take another tablespoon to work underneath the skin of chicken breasts. (You should have 1 tablespoon of za'atar left for later use).
• Place the chicken in the heated oven and roast for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes (once the chicken's internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, it is ready).
• Sprinkle with a little more sumac and the remaining za'atar. Garnish with the toasted nuts and fresh parsley. Enjoy!

BAKED ZAATAR CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients together in a large plastic zip bag and marinate in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.
• Preheat oven at 425.
• Place chicken, skin side up in a large baking pan.
• Bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove and turn chicken parts.
• Continue baking for 20-30 additional minutes.
• Remove and serve.

ZA'ATAR CHICKEN

Steps:

• Prepare the chicken. Clean the chicken to remove excess fat and slimy bits. Cut four slits in to the chicken legs. Place the chicken in a baking dish or on a sheet pan.
• Flavour the chicken. Using half a lemon squeeze a little juice on each leg of chicken. Once the lemon juice has been add to each chicken leg, then gently rub the lemon peel against the chicken legs (be careful not to rip the skin) Remove 1/4 tsp from your garlic paste and set aside for the za'atar sauce. Equally, distribute the garlic to each chicken leg, then rub the garlic all over the chicken.
• Sprinkle the za'atar. Your going to sprinkle 1/2 tbsp of za'atar on to each chicken leg (if using sumac, add 1/2 tsp for the leg) Lightly pat the za'atar to ensure equal distribution of the spice but don't rub it or you'll end up without any spice in patches.
• Drizzle the oil. Quickly drizzle your olive oil over each chicken leg, your looking for a light drizzle not a bath of oil.
• Marinate. Cover your chicken, and place in the fridge for 30 minutes up to 6 hours. But no longer than 6 hours or you'll end up with tough chicken.
• Preheat oven. Heat to 400ºF. Once you've turned on the oven, take out the chicken from the fridge, this gives a chance for the chicken to lose some chill from the refrigeration before cooking.
• Bake. Bake the chicken for 40 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165º. Once the chicken is cooked allow to rest 5 minutes before serving, this will allow the chicken to redistribute its juices and allow the za'atar sauce to infuse with the chicken.
• Make za'atar sauce. Mix together the za'atar sauce, well, the chicken is cooking. In a small bowl add the lemon juice, reserved garlic, za'atar and olive oil. The sauce should be a paste-like consistency and may thicken slightly once resting. If the sauce is too thin add more za'atar, if it's too thick add more olive oil. Taste for saltiness, you may not need any and if you do just add a pinch.
• Serve! enjoy this recipe with your family and friends

BAKED ZA'ATAR CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a bowl, mix together the za'atar, salt, and olive oil until the consistency of a thick paste. Add chicken thighs to the bowl, and toss to coat liberally on all sides. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 40 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

ZA'ATAR CHICKEN (MIDDLE EASTERN)

Steps:

• COMBINE oil, spice mix, seasoning.
• Place chicken breasts in a ziplock and coat well.
• Marinade for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat over 180°C.
• Remove chicken from marinade and place on a baking rack in a baking dish with chicken broth on bottom.
• Bake for 40 - 45 minutes until done; golden brown.
• ENJOY!