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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.
Type of Cuisine:
Middle Eastern
Prep Time: 20 minutes.
Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
How Many Servings?
4- 6 servings
Ingredients:
1X
2X
3X
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
Prepare the Chicken
Clean the chicken by scrubbing it with salt and vinegar, then rinse thoroughly with cold water. Trim any excess fat from the cavity and pat the chicken dry inside and out with paper towels. Tuck the wings under the body and tie the legs together to help retain moisture while roasting.
Clean the chicken by scrubbing it with salt and vinegar, then rinse thoroughly with cold water. Trim any excess fat from the cavity and pat the chicken dry inside and out with paper towels. Tuck the wings under the body and tie the legs together to help retain moisture while roasting.
2
Marinate the Chicken
Place the prepared chicken in a large bowl. Coat it thoroughly inside and out with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, za’atar, sumac, and garlic. Add the onion to the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the fridge for at least an hour, or overnight for deeper flavor absorption.
Place the prepared chicken in a large bowl. Coat it thoroughly inside and out with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, za’atar, sumac, and garlic. Add the onion to the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the fridge for at least an hour, or overnight for deeper flavor absorption.
3
Roast the Chicken
Place the marinated chicken in a deep oven pan and pour the remaining marinade over it. Add a cup of water to the pan. For extra flavor, toss in your favorite vegetables. Cover with foil and roast for 20 minutes. Uncover, baste the chicken with its juices, and continue roasting.
Place the marinated chicken in a deep oven pan and pour the remaining marinade over it. Add a cup of water to the pan. For extra flavor, toss in your favorite vegetables. Cover with foil and roast for 20 minutes. Uncover, baste the chicken with its juices, and continue roasting.
4
Finish and Serve
Lower the oven temperature to 375°F and continue roasting for another hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160-165°F. Remove the chicken from the oven and sprinkle with extra za’atar and sumac for added flavor. Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Lower the oven temperature to 375°F and continue roasting for another hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160-165°F. Remove the chicken from the oven and sprinkle with extra za’atar and sumac for added flavor. Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
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.