Za'atar Chicken Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (2024)

Za'atar Chicken with Roasted Feta Potatoes, an amazing and delicious Chicken Thigh Roast recipe with Middle Eastern spice blend Za'atar.. I roast chicken with seasoned Feta Potatoes in one sheet pan for a quick main course and side ready at same the time. A perfect weeknight meal! Gluten free, nuts free.

Spiced Sheet Pan Chicken Roasts are my favorite for quick weeknight meals. Spices add so much flavor, with few dishes used cleanup is a breeze.

This Zaatar Chicken recipe is also great option for Meal Prep. Roast chicken over the weekend and refrigerate. On weeknights, make Chicken Bowl with Tabbouleh and Tzatziki, or Shred Chicken and add to Pasta, or make Pita Pockets with Tahini Sauce. Options are endless! (It keeps well in refrigerator for up-to 5 days.)

Honestly, dinner can't get easier than this!What do you say? Let's make Zaatar Chicken!

Oh, and before we check the recipe, I highly recommend trying my Za'atar Seasoning for this recipe.

Za'atar Chicken Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (1)

Za'atar Seasoning:

Za'atar seasoning is Middle Eastern Spice blend made with dried thyme, oregano, sesame seeds, and sumac. Store bought Za'atar seasoning sometimes are sold without Sumac. Read the ingredients and if you see sumac missing, buy Sumac for this recipe.

Sumac is a citrus-y Middle Eastern Spice which is as important for Zaatar Chicken Recipe as is Za'atar. Read more about this in my Zaatar Seasoning Post.

If you have never tried Za'atar or Sumac? This is The recipe to start with!

Chicken Thighs vs Chicken Breast:

Honestly, any given day I will choose Chicken Thigh for roasting than chicken breast. Where chicken breast is lean, thighs are more-worked-meat of bird. The baked chicken thighs are always more tender and juicy. Plus these are not as expensive as breast meat. To keep'em lean, I get rid of skin.

Note: If you using Skin-On thighs, sear chicken until skin is crisp brown before applying Zaatar Paste and roasting.

Za'atar Chicken Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (2)

Ingredients for Za'atar Chicken:

Ingredients for Zaatar Chicken are simple and are very easy to find in pantry/fridge. Other than fresh chicken, za'atar and feta cheese, all other ingredient is on the house. How good does that sound?

How To Cook Za'atar Chicken

Here's how I cook Za'atar Chicken:

  1. I start by marinating the chicken in simple marinade of lemon, garlic and cumin. This simple step enhances the flavor of meat, makes it flavorful throughout not just the outer za'atar seasoned layer.
  2. I also pan-sear the chicken to lock-in juices. Only the side which get brush of Zaatar. The other side is seared when chicken bakes in oven with Potatoes.

Easy! right?

The best part about this recipe is Chicken and Potatoes bake together. By the time chicken bakes, potatoes are perfectly tender, with delicious juices of chicken, lemon flavor, hint of salty feta.Seriously, I'm a fan!

Tip:If you not planning to bake Zaatar Chicken without potatoes, use a cast iron skillet to sear the chicken. Then, flip chicken cooked side up, apply za'atar paste and bake in same skillet. No need to get out extra sheet pan.

Let me sum for you, what makes this Za'atar Chicken Recipe special!

  1. Flavor: This chicken so flavorful. I marinate the chicken in lemon, garlic, and cumin. Then pan sear it to seal in juices. Then, flavor doubles when chicken is rubbed with zaatar spice.
  2. Feta Potatoes: Even Zaatar Chicken is everyone's favorite, Feta Potatoes make a delicious side without much effort. And they are so delicious with hint of lemon, and feta cheese melted on top.

Do these look delicious or what?

Za'atar Chicken Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (3)

Make Your Own Middle Eastern Meal:
I serve Za'atar Chicken with Traditional Tabbouleh and side of homemade Tahini Sauce or Tzatziki Sauce. Honestly, Mediterranean diet is so lite, these small condiments bring so much more flavor on plate. Like this Chicken Recipe uses less oil and more spices. This is the good thing about spice-forward recipes, the spices add so much flavor, you don't need anything else.

Za'atar Chicken Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (4)

Oh, If you ever plan a Mediterranean Menu, I got you covered for a full-blown menu! Here are my top favorites:

Chicken Souvlaki
Tzatziki Sauce
Tahini Sauce
Tabbouleh
Za'atar Chicken
Pita Bread

Oh, yumm! Need I say more?

Note:If you need a vegetarian main course, I recommend trying myRatatouilleRecipe.

Za'atar Chicken is also dairy-free. Only feta cheese is used for potatoes.I hope you will enjoy it as much as we do. -Savita x

More Vegetarian Sides Ideas.

Za'atar Chicken Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (2024)

FAQs

How do you use Za Atar seasoning? ›

Za'atar can be sprinkled on poached or fried eggs, or on shakshuka, enhancing the overall breakfast experience. Another great (and simple) use is to season chicken with za'atar, roast or grill it and serve it over rice. And oven-roasted potatoes pair well with a generous sprinkling of za'atar and olive oil.

Do Zaatar and Sumac go together? ›

This supremely aromatic spice blend, combines toasted sesame seeds, dried thyme, dried marjoram, and Sumac. Simply put, it's an all around earthy and olive green combination of spices, that you could use literally on anything (while in Israel we even tried it on pizza).

How to make Za'atar substitute? ›

Homemade Za'atar Seasoning Blend
  1. 2.5 tbsp. white sesame seeds.
  2. 2.5 tbsp. ground sumac (see TIP A below)
  3. 2 tbsp. dried thyme.
  4. 2 tbsp. dried oregano.
  5. 2 tsp. kosher salt.

How to make chicken tasty inside? ›

Brining works well, but it can take some time. A possibly faster way is to use a marinade injector. They look like large hypodermic needles, and you use them to inject flavoring into the chicken meat before cooking. Butter, herb mixtures, salty things, and garlic are all very good.

Do you use za'atar before or after cooking? ›

Cooking With Za'atar

If you are using za'atar in a cold dish or any preparation that it will not be heated up in, first bloom it to unlock all of its flavor. To do so, heat up oil or butter in a skillet, take it off the heat and then add the za'atar.

Is zaatar seasoning good for you? ›

6. Rich in Nutrients: Sesame seeds in za'atar provide healthy fats, protein, and important minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc.

What is the difference between sumac and za'atar? ›

Some uncommon Middle Eastern spices such as sumac, za'atar, and dukkah have become my go-to's. They're perfect on fish, salads, meats, and vegetables. Sumac is a red-purple powder that adds a lovely lemony flavor and gorgeous color. Za'atar is a lemony hyssop or thyme, sumac, and sesame seed blend.

What do we call zaatar in English? ›

Zaatar or Za'tar (zaah-tur) is a common noun in the Arabic language and refers to both a Middle-Eastern herb spice mixture and importantly a distinct herb plant in the mint family. The herbal plant is referred to in English as bible hyssop or Syrian oregano, but the mixture is just called zaatar.

Do you add sumac before or after cooking? ›

You can add it to a marinade before grilling some chicken or pork, or in this roasted sweet potato recipe. The tangy flavor cuts through rich flavors, so it's the perfect match to any dish that you would typically pair with lemon. You can even add sumac in baked goods and desserts!

Why is my zaatar bitter? ›

The two things to remember about zaatar is that it will burn and become bitter at high temperatures and that it loses aroma and pungency with age.

What does za'atar mix contain? ›

Even though it varies greatly depending on where you are in the Middle East (specific recipes are sometimes closely-guarded secrets!), za'atar is generally a combination of dried oregano, thyme, and/or marjoram (woodsy and floral), with sumac (tangy and acidic) and toasted sesame seeds (nutty and rich).

Does za'atar contain cumin? ›

Za'atar is a spice blend composed of herbs such as thyme, oregano, marjoram or a combination of the three, along with other spices including sesame, sumac, cumin or coriander.

What gives chicken the most flavor? ›

Marinating not only adds flavor, but the combination of healthy fat and acid in most recipes also helps tenderize the meat. A good marinade is roughly three parts oil to one part acid, plus salt and other seasonings like spices, crushed garlic, or a little natural sugar.

What makes chicken taste the best? ›

Here are the best ways to make chicken breast taste good, every time!
  1. Make sure your Chicken is Properly Defrosted Prior to Cooking. ...
  2. Buy a Meat Thermometer. ...
  3. Marinate, Marinate, Marinate! ...
  4. Buy High Quality, Pasture Raised Chicken.

What is the English name for Za Atar Spice? ›

Zaatar or Za'tar (zaah-tur) is a common noun in the Arabic language and refers to both a Middle-Eastern herb spice mixture and importantly a distinct herb plant in the mint family. The herbal plant is referred to in English as bible hyssop or Syrian oregano, but the mixture is just called zaatar.

What is Trader Joe's Za Atar seasoning? ›

Its ingredients include toasted sesame seeds, thyme, marjoram, coriander, oregano, chickpea flour, sea salt, sunflower oil, citric acid and lemon oil.

Is sumac spice the same as za'atar? ›

Some uncommon Middle Eastern spices such as sumac, za'atar, and dukkah have become my go-to's. They're perfect on fish, salads, meats, and vegetables. Sumac is a red-purple powder that adds a lovely lemony flavor and gorgeous color. Za'atar is a lemony hyssop or thyme, sumac, and sesame seed blend.

How to eat zaatar with olive oil? ›

As a snack, or when there's nothing else to eat, dip fresh bread in quality extra virgin olive oil then the zaatar.. or for lower calorie, dip moist vegetables directly in the zaatar and enjoy.

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