• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Caroline's Cooking
  • Recipe Index
  • By country or region
  • By season or holiday
  • Subscribe
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • By country or region
  • By season or holiday
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • By country or region
    • By season or holiday
    • Subscribe
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Main dishes

    Za'atar chicken

    January 4, 2021 by Caroline's Cooking

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Reddit
    • Yummly
    This za'atar/ zaatar chicken is easy to make, wonderfully moist and the flavors are gentle but fragrant. It's a delicious way to prepare chicken that pairs well with a whole range of sides.

    This za'atar/ zaatar chicken is easy to make, wonderfully moist and the flavors are gentle but fragrant. It's a delicious way to prepare chicken that pairs well with a whole range of sides.

    Jump to Recipe
    baking dish with za'atar chicken with lemon, parsley and pine nuts to side

    This post may contain affiliate links, where we earn from qualifying purchases. See more details in the policy page.

    I wasn't brought up with Middle Eastern flavors, but they are definitely ones I have grown to love. Like Spanish food, which I have been lucky enough to try a lot of, I love that so many are relatively simple recipes that rely on good quality ingredients.

    And in the case of many Middle Eastern foods, plenty of herbs. In many cases, this means fresh herbs such as in a Persian herb frittata or tabbouleh salad. But in this case, dried herbs take a turn to shine.

    piece of chickrn served on plate with salad and roasted cauliflower

    What is za'atar?

    Za'atar is both a herb and a spice blend found in the Levant region. The herb is a kind of wild thyme and it is traditionally used as part of the spice blend of the same name. However it has become more scarce due to over-harvesting and it not generally commercially cultivated.

    As a result, za'atar spice blend often uses other herbs in its place. In all cases, the herbs are blended with sumac and sesame seeds, plus sometimes a little salt and/or aromatic spices like cumin.

    It's pretty widely available to buy these days, though do take care to check the ingredients, as not all versions are as good as others. Some skimp on sumac and use citric acid, or add other unnecessary fillers. You can also make it very easily at home (check out my recipe linked above!).

    You can use the herb blend in a number of ways and it makes a lovely simple seasoning for chicken, with just a few small additions.

    chicken in za'atar, garlic, lemon and oil marinade

    I first discovered this dish from an Ottolenghi recipe, although you'll find a few versions from the region (such as this one which I also drew on).

    I've adapted this in a few ways, generally to make things easier but keeping the essential flavors of the dish. I also wasn't as keen on a heavily za'atar-crusted chicken as I have seen as I felt it could be overly bitter.

    See how it comes together in the short video!

    This combination is easy to make and with a delicious balance of flavors. You have citrus from the sumac and lemon and the gentle aromatics of the herbs.

    za'atar chicken in baking dish with lemon and pine nuts above dish

    Za'atar chicken pairs perfectly with couscous and salads (especially Middle Eastern ones, or relatively simple as we had here). It also works with a range of vegetables and legumes like chickpeas, green beans or cauliflower. Whatever you serve it with, this is one delicious meal.

    Try these other chicken recipes:

    • Palestinian sumac chicken - mussakhan
    • Aji de gallina (Peruvian chicken stew with a chili, walnut and cheese sauce)
    • Chicken Provençal (with tomatoes, herbs, olives and wine)
    • Goat cheese stuffed chicken with spinach and cranberries
    • Chicken saltimbocca (topped with prosciutto and a wine-based sauce)
    • Plus get more mains recipes in the archives.
    dish of za'atar chicken
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Za'atar chicken

    A simple marinade gives this roast chicken lots of delicate flavor while keeping it deliciously moist.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time30 minutes mins
    Marinading time (min)2 hours hrs
    Total Time45 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Middle Eastern
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 407kcal
    Author: Caroline's Cooking
    SaveSaved!

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 ½ tablespoon lemon juice approx ½ lemon
    • 2 cloves garlic crushed
    • 1 tablespoon za'atar
    • ¼ red onion or ½ small
    • 1 ¼ lb boneless chicken thighs 560g, approx (or can use chicken breast if you prefer)
    • 1 ½ tablespoon pine nuts
    • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

    Instructions

    • Mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and za'atar in a baking dish large enough to snugly hold the chicken when opened up.
    • Thinly slice the onion and add this plus the chicken to the marinade. Toss to coat the chicken all over then cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, up to overnight.
    • When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400F/200C. Take the chicken out of the fridge as the oven is pre-heating to come to room temperature. Bake the chicken for 25-35 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces of chicken, so that it is cooked through.
    • While the chicken is cooking, toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet/frying pan until gently browned. Finely chop the parsley. Sprinkle the parsley and pine nuts over the chicken once cooked and serve.

    Video

    Notes

    This uses za'atar spice blend which is easy to make yourself at home - it's also available in stores, but do check ingredients as some have some added ingredients that are more 'fillers'.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 407kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 111mg | Potassium: 323mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 229IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg

    See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store. 

    Remember to pin for later!

    This za'atar/ zaatar chicken is easy to make, wonderfully moist and the flavors are gentle but fragrant. It's a delicious way to prepare chicken that pairs well with a whole range of sides. #zaatar #chicken #middleeasternfood
    « Galette des rois (French king cake)
    Smoked salmon pate »
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Reddit
    • Yummly

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Gina

      January 04, 2021 at 4:04 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely love za'tar and it definitely doesn't get enough attention for how delicious of a spice it is.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        January 04, 2021 at 7:27 pm

        Very true! It really has such a lovely flavor, I agree, and is great to add a nice simple seasoning to chicken.

        Reply
    2. Jess

      January 04, 2021 at 8:56 am

      5 stars
      This is perfect for my healthier eating goals for the new year!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        January 04, 2021 at 7:25 pm

        Perfect! Yes it's a nice, healthy and easy combination.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    This za'atar/ zaatar chicken is easy to make, wonderfully moist and the flavors are gentle but fragrant. It's a delicious way to prepare chicken that pairs well with a whole range of sides.
    Caroline's Cooking

    Welcome! I'm Caroline and this is where I share recipes inspired by travels, places I want to go, or just ideas from feeding the family. Most recipes are easy to make and healthier, but there are treats too!

    Read more →

    Try these popular recipes

    • baked portobello mushrooms on plate
      Baked portobello mushrooms
    • side view of torn loaf of Japanese milk bread
      Japanese milk bread
    • Tarta de Santiago from overhead
      Tarta de Santiago (Spanish almond cake)
    • stacked plates with English tea sandwiches close up
      Traditional English tea sandwiches
    • Swedish cardamon buns with one on plate in front
      Swedish cardamom buns
    • Rhubarb fool in glass
      Rhubarb fool

    Recent posts

    • stack of Scotch pancakes in plate with raspberries on top and to side.
      Scotch pancakes (drop scones)
    • plate of arroz de pato Portuguese duck rice with green beans behind.
      Arroz de pato (Portuguese duck rice)
    • plate of crawfish etouffee.
      Crawfish etouffee
    • overhead view of har gow dumplings in bamboo steamer.
      Har gow (crystal shrimp dumplings)

    Let's get social!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Footer

    This za'atar/ zaatar chicken is easy to make, wonderfully moist and the flavors are gentle but fragrant. It's a delicious way to prepare chicken that pairs well with a whole range of sides.

    Learn more

    • Privacy Policy
    • Language and measurements
    • About Caroline's Cooking
    • Web stories

    Caroline's Cooking is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Copyright © Caroline's Cooking 2014 - 2024