Moroccan Zaatar Chicken 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!

ZA'ATAR CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. Add chicken; toss to coat., Arrange olives, apricots and plums on the bottom of a 4- or 5-quart slow cooker. Add 1/4 cup water; top with chicken. Cook, covered, on low until chicken is tender, 5-6 hours. If desired, serve with rice.

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

OVEN-ROASTED ZA'ATAR CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Pound chicken breasts to a 1-inch thickness for even cooking. Place in a large resealable plastic bag.
• Combine 2 tablespoons za'atar seasoning, lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic in a small bowl. Pour mixture over the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Seal the bag and refrigerate for 2 to 8 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray.
• Place chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with remaining za'atar seasoning.
• Roast in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 23 to 25 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Season with salt.

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).

MOROCCAN-SPICED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place a rimmed baking sheet on the center rack of oven and preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix spices, 2 teaspoons salt, 3/4 teaspoon pepper, and the oil in a small bowl. Rub spice paste all over chicken.
• Carefully arrange chicken in a single layer on hot sheet, and arrange lemon wedges around chicken. Bake until chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer and juices run clear, 30 to 35 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and serve with pan juices and roasted lemon wedges on the side.

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.

ZA'ATAR CHICKEN AND RICE PILAF RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Spatchcock the chicken: Place the chicken, breast-side down, on a cutting board. Using a pair of kitchen shears or a very sharp knife, find the backbone of the chicken and cut up both sides to remove. Remove any giblets remaining inside the chicken. Turn the chicken over and press down on the breastbone until the chicken lies flat.
• Make the brine: In a small, dry pan, toast the peppercorns, fennel seeds, and coriander seeds until fragrant and starting to change color, 1-2 minutes.
• Transfer the toasted spices to a large pot with 1 quart (1 liter) of water, the oregano, thyme, bay leaves, salt, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar and salt, then let boil for 1 minute. Remove the pot from the heat. Transfer the brine to a large container. Cool the brine by adding the remaining water.
• Place the chicken in the brine, cover the container, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a wire rack or roasting rack on top of a baking sheet.
• Make the chicken seasoning: In a food processor, combine the lemon peel, garlic, and canola oil. Process into a thick paste.
• Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. Use your fingers to carefully separate the skin from the breasts and thighs. Rub the lemon garlic paste over the bird, making sure to get some under the skin. Rub the softened butter underneath and over the skin. Season on both sides with the salt and za'atar. Place the chicken on the rack set over the baking sheet, breast-side up.
• Roast the chicken for 40-50 minutes, until the breast meat reaches 145°F (63°C).
• Roast until the thigh meat, near the bones, reaches 160°F (71°C). Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the rice pilaf: Place the rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under running water until the water runs clear. Transfer the rice to a medium bowl and cover with water by 1 inch (2.5 cm). Soak for 10 minutes.
• Add the chicken stock to a small pot and bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low so the stock stays warm.
• In a large pot or pan over medium heat, combine the butter, garlic, and fideo. Cook, stirring constantly, until most of the noodles are golden brown, about 5 minutes.
• Drain the rice once the noodles are toasted, then add to the pan and sauté until the rice is dry and coated with the butter, 2-3 minutes.
• Add the hot chicken stock, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the noodles curl up, about 15 minutes. Fluff the pilaf with a fork, then cover again and let sit for at least 5 minutes before serving.
• Make the za'atar oil: In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, za'atar, and salt.
• Carve the chicken, then arrange over the rice pilaf and spoon the za'atar oil over. Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
• Enjoy!

MOROCCAN ZAATAR CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pound Chicken breasts, slightly thinner.
• In large dish, combine thyme, dried oregano, sesame seeds, salt, pepper, 2 cloves chopped garlic,
• zest of 1 lemon, medium onion chopped and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Turn pounded chicken in za'atar spice blend to coat.
• Heat skillet over medium-high heat, add ¼ cup olive oil , brown a halved lemon in olive oil; remove and reserve.
• Add chicken and brown on both sides; add stock and partially cover pan.
• Cook chicken through 7-8 minutes then douse with juice from reserved lemon.
• Plate and Ready to serve.