Grilled Zaatar Chicken With Garlic Yogurt And Cilantro Food

GRILLED ZA'ATAR CHICKEN WITH CUCUMBER-WATERMELON SALAD

Steps:

• Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Rub all over with the za'atar and 1 tablespoon olive oil; set aside.
• Toast the pine nuts in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring, until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and remove to a small bowl.
• Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the chicken and cook until browned on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Flip, reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking until the chicken is cooked through, 8 to 10 more minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest.
• Meanwhile, halve the cucumbers lengthwise and slice 1/2 inch thick. Combine in a large bowl with the watermelon, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, the lemon juice and mint; season with salt and pepper and toss.
• Stir the hummus and yogurt in a small bowl; spoon onto plates. Slice the chicken and place on top of the hummus. Drain off any excess liquid from the cucumber-watermelon salad and add to the plates. Sprinkle with the pine nuts and more za'atar.

MIDDLE EASTERN-INSPIRED HERB AND GARLIC CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine chicken with all but 1 teaspoon of the grated garlic (save that teaspoon for the yogurt sauce), the zest and juice of 1 lemon, oil, parsley, mint, thyme, oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the sesame seeds and sumac, if using. Cover and marinate for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature; you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
• Heat grill or broiler. If grilling, cook chicken over high heat until charred in spots, 4 to 7 minutes. Flip pieces and continue grilling until just cooked through, another 4 to 7 minutes. If broiling, arrange a rack 3 to 4 inches from flame. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spread chicken out in a single layer. Broil chicken, turning halfway through cooking, until well colored and charred in spots, 4 to 7 minutes per side. Be careful that it doesn't burn.
• While chicken cooks, place yogurt in a small bowl. Stir in the reserved grated garlic and lemon zest and season to taste with salt. Serve the chicken drizzled with olive oil, remaining lemon juice to taste, black pepper, parsley and sesame seeds and sumac, if using, with the yogurt alongside for dipping.

ZA'ATAR CHICKEN WITH GARLICKY YOGURT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels. Arrange chicken, onions, halved garlic heads, and lemon in a 13x9" baking dish; season liberally with salt (remember to season both sides of chicken). Pour in oil and toss everything to coat. Turn garlic cut side down and nestle it in so it is in contact with the baking dish. Roast, rotating pan halfway through, until meat is almost falling off the bone, 50-60 minutes.
• Meanwhile, finely grate 1 garlic clove into a small bowl. Add yogurt, a big pinch of salt, and 1 Tbsp. water and mix well. Set aside yogurt sauce.
• Remove baking dish from oven and transfer onions, garlic, and lemon to a plate. Increase oven temperature to 425°F and continue to roast chicken until skin is golden brown, 10-15 minutes more. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes. Set aside pan with juices.
• Finely grate remaining garlic clove into another small bowl. Add za'atar, coriander, lemon zest, and lime zest. Pour reserved juices in pan into za'atar mixture until you've reached an oily consistency (about 1/3 cup). Mix in a pinch of salt.
• Spread reserved yogurt sauce over a platter and arrange chicken legs on top. Scatter onions, garlic, and lemon around; drizzle with za'atar oil.

GRILLED ZA'ATAR CHICKEN WITH GARLIC YOGURT AND CILANTRO

Steps:

• In a large bowl or container, stir together 5 of the grated garlic cloves, half the lemon zest, 1/3 cup yogurt, the cilantro, oil, za'atar, oregano or marjoram, salt and black pepper. Add chicken and toss until well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• When ready to cook, light the grill to medium or heat your broiler with the rack 3 inches from the heat source. Remove chicken from bowl, shaking off any excess marinade, and grill or broil on one side until charred in spots, 5 to 8 minutes. Flip the chicken and grill or broil for another 5 to 8 minutes, until just cooked through.
• While the chicken is cooking, place remaining 2/3 cup yogurt in a small bowl. Stir in the reserve grated garlic clove and lemon zest, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cut one zested lemon in half and set aside for serving (save the other zested lemon for another use).
• To serve, place chicken on a serving platter and drizzle with olive oil and a large squeeze of the zested lemon. Top with cilantro and oregano or marjoram sprigs and serve with yogurt sauce.

GRILLED ZA'ATAR CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine cumin, sumac powder, sesame seeds, salt, thyme, oregano, and marjoram in a 1-gallon resealable plastic bag. Add grapeseed oil and lemon juice; mix to combine. Add chicken breast, mix with seasoning, and marinate for 30 minutes.
• Spray the grate of the grill with cooking spray, and preheat the grill to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
• Grill chicken breasts, flipping halfway, until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 7 to 8 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

YOGURT-MARINATED GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix Greek yogurt, cilantro, lemon juice, garlic, salt, cumin, cayenne, and pepper together in a large bowl. Place chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag; cover with yogurt mixture.
• Let chicken marinate in the refrigerator, 3 to 8 hours.
• Bring chicken to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Pour off marinade.
• Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Grill chicken, turning occasionally, until grill marks form, about 5 minutes per side.