Za’atar chicken with garlicky yogurt: a delicious recipe

Ingredients for Za'atar chicken with garlicky yogurt

• 900 g chicken legs (thigh and drumstick)

• 2 medium red onions, cut into 2.5 cm thick wedges

• 2 heads of garlic, halved crosswise, plus 2 cloves

• 1 lemon, quartered, seeds removed

• kosher salt

• 80 ml extra-virgin olive oil

• 360 g plain full-fat Greek yogurt

• 45 ml za’atar

• 5 ml ground coriander

• 5 ml finely grated lemon zest

• 5 ml finely grated lime zest

How to make Za'atar chicken with garlicky yogurt

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C (fan) / 180°C (conventional).

2. Pat the chicken legs dry with kitchen paper.

3. Arrange the chicken legs, onions, halved garlic heads, and lemon in a 33 x 23 cm baking dish; season generously with salt, ensuring to season both sides of the chicken.

4. Pour in the oil and toss everything to coat evenly.

5. Turn the garlic cut side down and nestle it into the dish so that it makes contact with the bottom.

6. Roast the dish in the oven, rotating the pan halfway through, until the meat is almost falling off the bone, about 50–60 minutes.

7. Meanwhile, finely grate 1 garlic clove into a small bowl.

8. Add the yogurt, a generous pinch of salt, and 15 ml of water; mix well and set aside the yogurt sauce.

9. Remove the baking dish from the oven and transfer the onions, garlic, and lemon to a plate.

10. Increase the oven temperature to 220°C (fan) / 230°C (conventional) and continue to roast the chicken until the skin is golden brown, about 10–15 minutes more.

11. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 minutes. Set aside the pan with the juices.

12. Finely grate the remaining garlic clove into another small bowl.

13. Add the za’atar, coriander, lemon zest, and lime zest.

14. Pour the reserved juices from the pan into the za’atar mixture until you achieve an oily consistency, about 80 ml.

15. Mix in a pinch of salt.

16. Spread the reserved yogurt sauce over a serving platter and arrange the chicken legs on top.

17. Scatter the onions, garlic, and lemon around the chicken; drizzle with the za’atar oil.

Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.