Baked Zaatar Yogurt Chicken Recipe
This Baked Zaatar Yogurt Chicken is a flavorful and juicy dish featuring tender chicken thighs or breasts marinated in a tangy mixture of Greek yogurt, zaatar seasoning, lemon, and garlic. Baked to a golden perfection, it’s perfect served with couscous and warm pita bread to soak up the delicious juices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes to overnight (including marinating time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 lbs (8) boneless chicken thighs or breasts (skin on or off)
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice + zest from one 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)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is properly heated for baking the chicken evenly.
- Prepare Marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice and zest, crushed garlic, zaatar seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken thighs or breasts in a gallon-sized plastic food storage bag or a large plastic container. Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken, seal the bag or cover the container, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse. For best results, marinate overnight.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly coat the inside of a baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking and help the chicken brown nicely.
- Bake the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, shaking off any excess, and arrange the pieces in a single layer in the baking dish. 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) to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, garnish the chicken with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot alongside couscous and warm pita bread to enjoy the flavorful juices.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee it is cooked through and safe to eat.
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness, but marinating for at least 30 minutes also works well.
- You can use either chicken thighs or breasts depending on your preference; thighs will be juicier, while breasts offer a leaner option.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste if you prefer more or less heat.
Keywords: Baked Zaatar Chicken, Yogurt Marinated Chicken, Middle Eastern Chicken Recipe, Healthy Chicken Dinner, Zaatar Seasoning, Greek Yogurt Chicken
