Name: Za'atar Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 4 bone-in chicken thighs, with skin; 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 3 tablespoons za'atar, divided, or more to taste

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

This recipe was developed at its original yield. Ingredient amounts are automatically adjusted, but cooking times and steps remain unchanged. Note that not all recipes scale perfectly. The original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings.

4 bone-in chicken thighs, with skin
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 tablespoons za'atar, divided, or more to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350F (175C).
Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Place the chicken in a bowl and coat it with olive oil. Season generously with sea salt and black pepper on all sides.
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs, skin-side down, to the hot skillet. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of za'atar evenly over each chicken thigh.
Cook the chicken, without turning, until the skin is crispy and browned, about 7 to 10 minutes.
Turn the chicken so the skin side is facing up and remove the skillet from the heat. Quickly sprinkle the remaining za'atar evenly over the chicken thighs.
Spoon some of the rendered chicken fat from the pan over the za'atar, allowing it to infuse the spices.
Place the skillet in the preheated oven and roast the chicken until the juices run clear and the chicken is no longer pink near the bone, about 15 minutes.

Recipe Tips

You can use other cuts of chicken, just be sure the skin is left on. Cooking times may vary with other cuts or boneless chicken.
For a delicious tahini-lemon dressing to accompany a salad, mix 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons of tahini, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories	194
Total Fat	12g
Saturated Fat	3g
Cholesterol	70mg
Sodium	147mg
Total Carbohydrates	2g
Dietary Fiber	1g
Total Sugars	0g
Protein	20g
Vitamin C	2mg
Calcium	70mg
Iron	6mg
Potassium	203mg

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Comments

Melody Dibenedetto

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

I made this but I first mixed the za'atar, salt, pepper, and added two tsp of garlic powder in a bowl. Then I add two to three tbsp of oil to the mix and coated bone-in chicken thighs that I took the skin and fat off and went straight to baking. I really liked the taste. I had it with quinoa cooked in bouillon with onions, fresh spinach, feta, and then broccoli on the side.

Annieh

01/24/2020 10:37:04 PM

I followed the recipe for the chicken exactly, but since I had a little room left in my skillet, I tossed in some frozen potato, onion & red pepper chunks, put some za'atar and drippings on them as well, popped it all in the oven and cooked for 20 mins. OMG this is good! The chicken came out super moist and full of flavor. The veggies had a nice crispy edge and the potatoes were soft in the middle. The flavor is crazy good! And the dressing is quite tasty too. If you don't have za'atar on hand or in local stores, you can pick it up at Amazon or you can look online and make your own, but real za'atar has hyssop and sumac - so look for those ingredients to get the full flavor. and benefits of za'atar. Great, easy-enough recipe to make weekly or for a quick hot lunch. Thanks for the recipe.

HClark

07/01/2020 01:06:47 AM

Really fabulous recipe that was fast & easy to put together. I made a simple version of the Za’atar with coarse ground pepper and lemon zest subbing for the sumac because I didn’t have it. Still tasted amazing. I paired it with basmati rice sautéed in chicken broth with mushroom & green beans. I also made the tzatziki to go with. I will use this recipe a lot! Thank you for sharing.

SusanVey

10/31/2019 10:44:11 PM

Easy, dinner on the table in a half hour. Served it with baked acorn squash. I still have a bag of sumac from my farm, so used it to make a fresh batch of za'atar.

On Deck

08/06/2019 03:57:08 PM

Easy prep and very tasty chicken. I make my own Za'atar so it's always fresh. Served with steamed broccoli and roasted butternut squash. Awesome dinner!!

jlm

07/28/2025 07:41:48 PM

We’ll be having this again! I served it with a lime-dressed mango and avocado salad, and you’d’ve thought the recipes were created to complement one another.

Sandra Nguyen

09/19/2024 10:40:20 PM

So easy, and it tastes like a treat.

James Gullett

04/24/2024 11:33:47 PM

I ordered Za’atar to make this. We loved the mild flavor. First time trying this spice. Easy to make. Followed the recipe exactly.

graniteman63

06/09/2022 12:28:29 AM

First time I have ever used this spice and I must say that it has a fantastic flavor! I will be trying it on other meats it is that good.

Erica McLean

04/11/2022 02:17:43 AM

Chicken thighs done this way are so juicy and the spices are delicious. The skin is nice and crisp too. I want to explore more za'atar recipes now, maybe with skinless chicken.

spamcat1

02/13/2022 08:38:02 PM

made as directed with the exception of not measuring ;-) Finished with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Very very good! I finally know what to do with that jar of Za'atar

Ray O

11/02/2021 10:18:07 AM

Did not change a thing. Perfect and easy to make. Flavorful

reza

09/27/2021 11:07:06 PM

Very tasty. First time using za'atar. I will make it again. Thanks!

Mike DaCommie

08/31/2021 07:57:00 PM

Made it last night, to rave reviews from my partner, but there were no left overs for lunch today! Now I have to make more tonight so there will be leftovers! I have been in the Middle East a few times on holidays, Za'atar is all around the region. I have a huge jar in the cupboard.

Anndi8

08/23/2021 06:50:34 PM

I made this just as stated in the recipe. It was quick and delicious! Served it with mashed potatoes and broccoli. I will definitely be making this again!