Baked Zaatar Yogurt Chicken Recipe
This Baked Zaatar Yogurt Chicken offers a flavorful and tender dish featuring marinated chicken thighs or breasts in a tangy Greek yogurt and zaatar spice blend. The chicken is baked until golden and juicy, making it a perfect Mediterranean-inspired meal to enjoy with couscous and warm pita bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lbs (8) boneless chicken thighs or breasts (skin on or off)
Marinade
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- zest from 1 lemon
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed and chopped)
- 2 tbsp zaatar seasoning
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (or Aleppo flakes)
Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice and zest, crushed garlic, zaatar seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
- Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken pieces into a gallon-sized plastic food storage bag or a large plastic container. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal or cover tightly, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to infuse.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly coat the inside of a baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Chicken: Shake off any excess marinade from the chicken and place the pieces in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake Chicken: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, and serve warm alongside couscous and pita bread to soak up the delicious juices.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is fully cooked by verifying it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer.
- Marinating overnight enhances the flavor significantly but a minimum of 30 minutes will still give good results.
- Skin-on chicken will result in a crispier texture, while skinless will be leaner.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Serve with sides like couscous and pita to round out the meal with authentic Mediterranean touches.
Keywords: baked chicken, zaatar chicken, yogurt marinade, Mediterranean chicken, healthy baked chicken, Greek yogurt chicken
Find it online: https://annakocht.com/baked-zaatar-yogurt-chicken-recipe/
