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–+ servings
Za’atar Chicken

Delicious Za'atar Chicken Legs for Effortless Weeknight Dinners

Aromatic Za'atar Chicken legs offer a Mediterranean twist, bursting with flavors for quick weeknight meals.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 legs
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 4 legs Chicken legs (chicken quarters) Can substitute with chicken thighs or drumsticks.
  • 1 each Lemon (juice, zest, and pulp) Use lime juice if lemon is unavailable.
For the Marinade
  • 3 tablespoons Za'atar seasoning Homemade za'atar can personalize the dish.
  • 2 tablespoons Garlic paste Switch to fresh minced garlic for different flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon Tomato paste Optional for added depth; can be omitted.
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil Can be replaced with avocado or vegetable oil.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Adjust to taste.
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper Adjust to taste.
For the Base
  • 1 medium Onion (sliced) Shallots or red onion are great alternatives.

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking Tray
  • Meat thermometer

Method
 

Marinade Preparation
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine za'atar seasoning, lemon juice and zest, garlic paste, tomato paste, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until well-blended.
Chicken Preparation
  1. Trim any excess fat from the chicken legs and make three shallow incisions on each leg.
Marination
  1. Coat the chicken legs with the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Cooking
  1. Preheat your oven or air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Lay out the sliced onions and squeezed lemon halves on a baking tray.
  3. Place marinated chicken legs on top and bake for 35–45 minutes or until golden brown.
  4. Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1legCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 30gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 450mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 8mg

Notes

Marinate chicken overnight for deeper flavor. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

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