A classic baked meat and potatoes is always my go-to when I don't know what to cook, because everyone loves it, and it's easy. This baked honey za'atar chicken is so delicious and at the top of my list when I want an easy weeknight dinner. The herby za'atar mixed with garlic and honey creates a perfectly balanced marinade.
What is Za'atar?
If you know me, you know that I love me some Za'atar. Its a middle eastern herb and spice mix that is totally trending these days, and it deserves the fame. It tastes bright with a lot of earthy notes. Za'atar is typically made up of dried thyme, oregano, sumac, and toasted sesame seeds, although the mix can vary from region to region. Take it from me; you basically need it in your life and you need to sprinkle it on everything.
How to make baked honey za'atar chicken
The low down for this recipe is pretty simple:
- Mix the marinade ingredients together
- Slather it all over your chicken and marinate for a few hours or overnight (the longer the better!)
- Cut up your potatoes and slather more marinade on those
- Pop everything into an oven dish and bake covered. Then uncover to get the chicken nice and golden at the end.
How to serve this dish
This is a "dry" za'atar chicken which means it won't yield any sauce or gravy. That's why I love to have it with a side salad to make a complete meal. I do also serve it with white basmati rice sometimes (although guiltily because like, carbs on carbs?!) and it tastes delicious that way too. Any leftovers of the chicken I make into sandwiches the next day - win win!
If you end up trying this za'atar chicken recipe, be sure to leave me some feedback! I love hearing what you have to say.
For more chicken recipes, check out:
- Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma
- Shish Tawook | Grilled Chicken Skewers
- One Pot Chicken and Rice
- Musakhan Rolls
baked Honey Za'atar Chicken
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 4 Chicken drumsticks or thighs
- 2 large potatoes
- 5 crushed garlic cloves
- 4 tbsp za'atar
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1.5 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 400F
- Wash and dry the chicken
- Peel the potatoes and chop into large cubes
- Mix the marinade ingredients together and rub ⅔ of the marinade evenly over the chicken. If possible, marinated for a few hours in the fridge or overnight
- Using the remaining ⅓ of marinade, rub it over the chopped potatoes
- Add the potatoes to the bottom of the baking dish, then nestle in the chicken on top
- Bake covered for 30 minutes. Uncover and broil for 5-10 minutes or until golden. Ensure your chicken is cooked through before serving (do this by cutting to ensure it is white inside or using a meat thermometer that should read 165F)
- Garnish with parsley and serve with a side salad
Comments
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Hello Amina - Can this be cooked in an air fryer with the same results. If so, any recommendations on the cook time and temp?
Thank you so much!
Hi Kat - yes you can definitely succeed with the air fryer for this recipe. The cook time will depend on how much quantity you have and the size of the fryer too. I would start with 15-20 mins and then gradually increase the time if the chicken is not cooked through yet. Air fryers are generally faster than the oven!
Also I'd stick with same temp in recipe!
Assalamu alaykum! Just made this for dinner tonight. And wow it was delicious! So flavorful! I used quarter chicken legs and cooked it a little bit longer. And the family loved it. We used the potatoes and bread to soak up the sweet glaze at the bottom of the pan. Thank you for a simple and delicious dinner recipe.
I'm so glad you and the family enjoyed it Sumra! Thanks for the feedback 🙂
Hello, I have just made my DIY Zaatar. I would like to know how can I make this dish vegetarian. I do't eat chicken. Which veggies can i use to optimise flavours and taste. Thanks.
You can use potatoes, onions, carrots, and cauliflower. That sounds like a great combo if you enjoy them 🙂
This comes together very quick and is always a hit with the kids!
I made x1.5 of the marinade for 15 drumsticks, and baked uncovered at 375 for 45-50 mins.
Thank you Amina for sharing!
We have made this a few times and it turns out so well!
Made this twice already. I baked it for a little longer than suggested and it was great.
So glad you enjoyed it Palwasha! Good to know about the baking time. Baking times can always be a bit iffy as ovens vary so much. Thanks for the review as always! 🙂
1. SO easy and quick to put together - my favourite type of meal
2. Kids licked their plates cleaned and asked for more!
3. Perfect weeknight, weekend, anytime meal
Aww thank you so much Zahra! So glad the kids enjoyed it! 🙂
Thank you very much this became my favorite chicken recipe <3
That's such an honour! So glad you enjoyed it Vera!
This was such an amazingly flavourful dish. Very easy and straightforward to make!
Thank you for your lovely review Iftikhar!
This was so flavourful! Loved that it was made with ingredients that were already in the pantry, too!
So glad ! Thanks for the review Amanie! 🙂