Oven Roasted Zaatar Chicken Breasts Food

ONE SHEET PAN ROASTED ZA'ATAR CHICKEN AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Position a rack near the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400ºF. You can line a sturdy baking sheet with heavy duty foil for easier clean up if you'd like.
• Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of za'atar seasoning, and garlic powder in a zip-top bag. Give the marinade a taste. If if the seasoning is salt-free like mine was, add in 1 teaspoon or as desired. Add the chicken pieces and the potatoes to the bag. Seal the bag and give it a good shake so the marinade evenly coats the chicken and potatoes. Allow the chicken and potatoes to marinate for 20 minutes or up to 3 hours (see notes).
• Spread the chicken and potato pieces out onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of za'atar on the chicken and potatoes. You could even sprinkle some chopped fresh thyme on top of you'd like.
• Bake the roasted za'atar chicken for 35-45 minutes or until the internal temperature registers 165ºF, you may need to turn the baking sheet half way through the baking if your oven has heat spots. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and lemon slices or wedges, serve warm.

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!

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.

THE BEST BAKED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the parsley in the center of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and top with the lemon slices. Pour the wine around the parsley. Brush the tops of the chicken with the olive oil and season with the paprika, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Arrange the chicken breasts on top of the lemon slices. Cut an 8-by-10-inch piece of parchment and place it on top of the chicken.
• Bake until the chicken registers 165 degrees F on a digital thermometer, 40 to 45 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. The chicken can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

CRISPY ZA'ATAR CHICKEN PILAF WITH POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• Toss together the chicken thighs oil, 1 tsp salt, garlic and lemon juice in a large bowl. Cover and chill for at least 1 hr, or up to 12 hrs.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4, and heat a frying pan over a high heat. Fry the chicken, skin-side down, for 5-7 mins, or until golden and crisp. Transfer to a baking tray and sprinkle with the za'atar, then roast for 10 mins.
• For the rice, heat the oil and butter in a large, shallow casserole or frying pan over a low-medium heat. Fry the onions with a pinch of salt for 15 mins until caramelised and sticky. Stir in the rice, stock, pistachios and chilli flakes. Season. Arrange the roasted chicken thighs on top of the rice, and pour over any roasting juices from the tray. Cook in the oven for 45 mins, or until the rice is tender. Remove from the oven, cover and rest for 5 mins.
• Scatter the chicken pilaf with the pomegranate seeds and parsley, then serve in shallow bowls.

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.