Roasted Chicken with Za’atar and Sumac

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Published: March 20, 2023

Updated: April 10, 2023

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Roasted Chicken with Za'atar and Sumac

This perfect roasted chicken with za’atar and sumac is a juicy and flavorful dish using some of my favorite Middle Eastern Spices. The za’atar’s earthy flavors and the sumac’s tanginess make this succulent chicken dish burst with delicious flavors. No wonder this roasted chicken is my husband’s favorite way to eat chicken! 

Not only is this one of the tastiest chicken dishes, but it is also super easy to prepare. This perfect roasted chicken with za’atar and sumac is my go-to meal on busy weeknights. My secret ingredient to making this chicken succulent and juice is to add a little extra water at the bottom of the pan. That way, there will be more delicious juice I can drizzle over the chicken once it is done. This is a no-waste recipe since the leftovers can be made into the most fantastic chicken stock. 

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Type of Cuisine:

Middle Eastern

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How Many Servings?

4 servings

Table of Contents

Are you looking to add a Middle Eastern twist to your classic roasted chicken recipe? Look no further than this flavorful and aromatic dish of Roasted Chicken with Za’atar and SumacIn this recipe, we generously season succulent Chicken with a mix of za’atar, a fragrant blend of dried herbs and spices commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine, and sumac, a tangy and slightly sour spice with a vibrant red hue. The result is a mouth-watering combination of earthy and citrusy flavors that will have your taste buds dancing. Whether you’re a fan of Middle Eastern food or simply looking to spice up your weeknight dinners, this recipe will become a new favorite in your kitchen.

How To Make Perfectly Roasted Chicken 

Indulge in succulent roasted Chicken with za’atar, where juicy and tender meat meets crispy chicken skin. Executing this recipe to perfection is quite simple. Begin by preheating the oven to 425F for the first 20 minutes for a high-temperature start, then lower it to 375F for another 45 minutes or until fully cooked, depending on the chicken size. While I prefer to cover it for the first hour, uncover it for the final 15 minutes, allowing it to turn into the beautiful golden-brown color we all love.

To ensure the Chicken is fully cooked, probe it with a meat thermometer, ensuring its internal temperature is 165 degrees, which will kill all bacteria and make it safe to eat. However, I like my Chicken cooked a little less, around 160 degrees. Once your Chicken reaches your desired temperature, remove it from the oven and cover it for 15 minutes. This helps the Chicken continue cooking and allows time for the juices to redistribute for the perfect, succulent finish.

When making this recipe, using a mix of za’atar and sumac generously seasons the chicken for an extra flavor boost. Plus, don’t forget to save the chicken bones to make delicious and savory chicken stock, and if using shrimp with the shell-on, make a shrimp stock by following these simple steps: Mix the shrimp shells in a pot with three cups of water, add lemon peels, peppercorns, paprika, and a bay leaf, bring to a boil, and simmer for 20 minutes before straining and keeping on the side to use.

Why not indulge in a delectable roasted chicken with zaatar by trying this recipe for a juicy, crispy, and succulent treat?

  

What is the Difference Between Organic, Free-Range, and Conventional Chicken? 

Even though free-range Chicken does not automatically mean it is organic, all organic Chicken has to be free-range. 

Free-range Chicken means that the chickens are not cooped up in small cages. Instead, they have some access to outdoor space and can move around more freely. Free-range chickens need to spend more than 50% of their lives roaming. Even though these chickens can live in more open areas, their diet is not typically controlled. 

Organic chickens are free-range and fed synthetic chemical-free chicken feed, without hormones or antibiotics. Choosing organic chicken is the healthiest option since it is certified and not pumped with synthetic drugs. Additionally, it is more nutritious than conventional chicken, with 13% less fat due to its ability to roam freely.

In contrast, conventional chicken farms keep their birds in small cages to cut costs, creating an unhealthy environment for the birds and potential health risks for humans. Conventional chickens are also typically treated with antibiotics and fed genetically modified grains, which are unnatural for their growth.

What Size Chicken Should I Buy?

Estimating how big a chicken you will need when buying a whole chicken can be challenging. This is because the bone’s weight contributes to the Chicken’s overall weight. So a 5lbs whole chicken will only have around 3.23 lbs of meat. The general rule when picking a whole chicken is that each Chicken’s weight will be approximately 65% of beef. So before buying Chicken, consider how many people your Chicken will feed and decide your serving size. 

What to serve with the Roasted Chicken?

Traditionally this dish is best served with a side of rice and a refreshing yogurt-cucumber salad. Soft and fluffy Rice With Vermicelliis perfect for absorbing the delicious juices and flavor of the Chicken. The Yogurt-cucumber salad is also a cold, tangy side dish that cuts the taste of fat from the Chicken.
You can also serve this roasted chicken recipe with nontraditional sides such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetablesOven-Roasted Vegetables, or Grilled asparagus.

 

Ingredient List
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Preparation

1.
first step
The first step is to clean the chicken. Use salt and vinegar to scrub the chicken, then rinse it with cold water. You can cut off any extra fat from the cavity and pat it dry from the inside out with paper towels.
Tuck the wings under the body and tie the legs together so the chicken does not get dry.
Mark as complete
2.
seasonings
Put the prepared chicken into a large bowl and smother the seasonings (olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, za’atar, sumac, and garlic) all over the chicken on the inside and outside of the chicken.
Add the onion to the large bowl with the chicken and let it marinate in the fridge for at least an hour or overnight if you can wait. This will allow all the flavors to absorb into the chicken.
Mark as complete
3.
marinate
Place the chicken into a deep oven pan. Pour the marinade all over the chicken. Add a cup of water to the bottom of the pan. Optional: add all the vegetables for flavorful roasted veggies.
Cover the chicken with foil and roast the chicken with an aluminum cover for 20 minutes. Then uncover the chicken and baste it with its juice.
Mark as complete
4.
zaatar and sumac
Lower the oven temperature to 375 F and continue roasting for another hour or until the temperature reads 160 to 165 F.
Once the chicken is ready, take it out of the oven and sprinkle more zaatar and sumac. Then let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving! Enjoy
Mark as complete

Please Support The SiteHome Cooking is Easy!With These Minimalist Kitchen Essentials

Ingredients:

Adjust Servings
6 lbs one whole chicken
2 tablespoons ghee or olive oil
kosher salt and fresh black pepper
2 tablespoon zaatar
2 tablespoon sumac
6 gloved garlic (chopped fine)
2 lemons juice
2 large onions (peeled and thinly sliced)
1 cup water
2 lb small red potatoes (optional that you could add around the chicken before you start cooking)

Preparation

1
The first step is to clean the chicken. Use salt and vinegar to scrub the chicken, then rinse it with cold water. You can cut off any extra fat from the cavity and pat it dry from the inside out with paper towels. Tuck the wings under the body and tie the legs together so the chicken does not get dry.
2
Put the prepared chicken into a large bowl and smother the seasonings (olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, za’atar, sumac, and garlic) all over the chicken on the inside and outside of the chicken. Add the onion to the large bowl with the chicken and let it marinate in the fridge for at least an hour or overnight if you can wait. This will allow all the flavors to absorb into the chicken.
3
Place the chicken into a deep oven pan. Pour the marinade all over the chicken. Add a cup of water to the bottom of the pan. Optional: add all the vegetables for flavorful roasted veggies. Cover the chicken with foil and roast the chicken with an aluminum cover for 20 minutes. Then uncover the chicken and baste it with its juice.
4
Lower the oven temperature to 375 F and continue roasting for another hour or until the temperature reads 160 to 165 F. Once the chicken is ready, take it out of the oven and sprinkle more zaatar and sumac. Then let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving! Enjoy

Recipe Tips & Suggestions

Add water to the pan to keep the chicken moist and prevent the dripping from burning. Use the resulting juice to baste the chicken every 20 minutes. 

Add vegetables to the roasted chicken to make an entire meal in one pan easily. I like adding small red potatoes, onion, carrots, and cauliflower. Any vegetable that can be roasted will be perfect in this recipe.

Marinating the chicken in the seasonings for at least a couple of hours and up to 12 hours will let the herbs and flavors steep into the chicken. 

Rana’s Notes!

If you don't have sumac or za'atar, there are a few other spices you can use as substitutes, although the flavor will be slightly different: Paprika: Paprika has a mild, sweet flavor and a bright red color. It won't add the same tangy flavor as sumac, but it will provide a nice color and depth of flavor. Lemon zest: Lemon zest can be used to add a tangy, citrusy flavor to dishes, similar to sumac. It won't have the same depth of flavor as sumac, but it can be a good substitute in a pinch. Thyme and sesame seeds: If you don't have za'atar, you can try making your own blend by combining thyme, sesame seeds, and salt. This won't have the same tangy flavor as za'atar, but it will have a similar earthy, nutty flavor. Oregano and cumin: Another option for a za'atar substitute is to combine oregano and cumin, which will give you a similar earthy flavor. You could also add some sesame seeds and salt to this blend to round out the flavor.
Where to find Sumc and Za'atar You can purchase sumac and za'atar at most Middle Eastern markets, as well as online retailers such as Amazon. Additionally, many mainstream grocery stores like Whole Foods carry these spices in their international or ethnic food sections.
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This flavorful and aromatic roasted chicken is a perfect weeknight meal. The combination of za’atar and sumac adds a Middle Eastern twist to the classic roasted chicken recipe.

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