Grilled Zaatar Chicken Recipe (2024)

Published: Jul 24, 2020 · Modified: Jan 28, 2021 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

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Grilled zaatar chicken is juicy and delicious. The key to this recipe is a simple marinade of zaatar and citrus.

We love grilling and if you do too, you're in the right place. Feeding a family? Try our grilled spatchco*ck chicken. Grilling for a party? Bring on the Persian style grilled wings and if you're looking for a ton of flavor, give this grilled zaatar chicken recipe a try and you'll be hooked. Despite its simplicity, this recipe will give you juicy grilled chicken bursting with middle eastern flavors. Serve it alongside some grilled vegetables for a delicious meal!

Table Of Contents:

What is zaatar?
Why this recipe works
Ingredients
Instructions
Frequently asked questions
Serving suggestions
More grilling recipes
Step-by-Step Recipe

What is zaatar?

Zaatar is a Palestinian spice made from combining thyme, oregano, sumac and sesame seeds (plus other additions based on the region). It's commonly used in the Middle East, especially Palestine, Syria and Lebanon. Zaatar has a zesty, herbal and earthy flavor that's different from any other spice.

Zaatar can be used in different ways, the most common one being served with fresh pita bread and olive oil or used to flavor pita chips. Another common way to use zaatar is to make manakish, which is a delicious zaatar bread.

Why this recipe works

Everyone loves grilled chicken, whether it's shish tawook, grilled whole chicken, chicken kebabs or marinated pieces of chicken. When marinated with zaatar and lemon, the chicken gets a special flavor that's hard to resist.

This is an easy grilled chicken recipe that's packed with so much flavor. It's quick and perfect for a nice summer dinner. There are so many ways to serve this chicken including plates and wraps, more on that below!

Ingredients

Here are the essential ingredients you'll want to have on hand:

Chicken thighs: I love using boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe because they're juicy and don't dry out. However, it's possible to make this recipe with boneless skinless chicken breast as well.
Olive oil: Get your hands on a quality extra virgin olive oil if possible and use that in your cooking, you'll notice the difference.
Garlic: I usually use a lot of garlic in cooking, but for this particular recipe, I only used 2 cloves to make sure it won't overpower the flavor of zaatar.
Zaatar: This is what's going to give the chicken all the flavor so don't be shy using it.

To make the herb yogurt sauce, you need a few ingredients as well:

Yogurt: I love using my homemade instant pot yogurt, but you can use Greek yogurt or any other kind of plain yogurt.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a bit of brightness to the sauce.
Tahini: Yogurt and tahini go very well together.
Parsley and cilantro: Herbs are essential for this sauce so make sure you use some fresh herbs.

Instructions

Marinate the chicken

Cut small slits on the chicken thighs and set aside. In a large bowl mix extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, zaatar and salt. Place the chicken in the bowl and make sure they're completely coated with the marinade. Cover and marinate for at least one hour up to 6 hours.

Grill the chicken

Preheat the grill to 400°F and make sure the grates are clean. Using tongs and an oiled kitchen paper towel, grease the grates so the chicken won't stick. Place the chicken thighs on the grates and grill for a for about 6 minutes. Flip and grill for another 6 minutes until cooked through.

Serve with yogurt sauce

Make the yogurt sauce by mixing yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, salt, pepper, minced garlic and chopped herbs. Slice the chicken and serve with the yogurt sauce and your favorite side dishes.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I grill the chicken?

This really depends on the heat and the thickness of the chicken. For chicken thighs, it usually takes between 6 to 8 minutes on each side to grill and cook. As for boneless skinless chicken breast, it usually takes about 5 minutes for each side to grill if the piece is not too thick.

How can I tell if the chicken is cooked?

The chicken should be pretty firm when poked with finger. You can also use a meat thermometer, the chicken is cooked when the thermometer registers at 165°F.

Can I use other cuts of chicken?

Yes, you can make this recipe with bone-in skin-on chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken breasts. Cooking time may vary depending on the cut of chicken you're using.

What to do with the leftovers?

Serving suggestions

The best way to serve this middle eastern grilled chicken is to have a middle eastern feast! You can make wraps using fresh pita or lavash, hummus, serve with green bean salad, fattoush salad, grilled asparagus or grilled Mediterranean vegetables and maybe even some labneh and toum on the side, you can have a delicious feast in the comfort of your home.

You can also serve this grilled chicken on a plate with some Lebanese rice and vermicelli and tabouli salad, the combination is totally a winner!

Another favorite way to have grilled zaatar chicken is with a side of Mediterranean potato salad or cucumber tomato feta salad, perfect for a summer bbq party.

More grilling recipes

Best Ever Beef Shish Kabob (Grill and Oven) [Video]
Greek Grilled Chicken Recipe
Spicy Grilled Chicken Wings
Grilled Halibut with Spicy Mango Salsa

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