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 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.
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:
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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?
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.
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.
