Description
This Za’atar Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner is a simple yet incredibly flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish. With juicy, golden-brown chicken thighs, roasted cauliflower, and caramelized shallots, it’s a one-pan meal that delivers maximum taste with minimal effort. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep, this recipe is low-carb, gluten-free, and packed with protein.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and legs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 ½ tsp kosher salt, divided
- 2 tbsp za’atar spice blend
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets
- 3 large shallots, quartered
Za’atar Oil (for drizzling):
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp za’atar
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (218°C) to ensure a crispy, golden-brown chicken skin.
- Prepare the Chicken & Vegetables: Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, 2 tsp salt, and za’atar spice blend.
- Season the Ingredients: Toss the cauliflower and shallots with half of the spice mixture. Coat the chicken with the remaining mixture.
- Arrange on a Sheet Pan: Spread the cauliflower and shallots evenly on a large baking sheet. Place the seasoned chicken pieces between the vegetables. Sprinkle the remaining ½ tsp salt over the chicken.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Prepare the Za’atar Oil: While the chicken bakes, whisk together olive oil, za’atar, minced garlic, and salt.
- Finish & Serve: Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the oven. Drizzle the za’atar oil over the roasted chicken and vegetables. Serve warm with optional sides like tzatziki, tahini sauce, hummus, or couscous.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, broil the chicken for the last 2-3 minutes.
- Swap cauliflower for other vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or bell peppers.
- Serve with quinoa, warm pita, or a simple Middle Eastern salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: ~412
- Sugar: ~6g
- Sodium: ~550mg
- Fat: ~19g
- Saturated Fat: ~5g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~12g
- Trans Fat: ~0g
- Carbohydrates: ~15g
- Fiber: ~4g
- Protein: ~46g
- Cholesterol: ~200mg
Keywords: za’atar chicken, sheet pan dinner, Middle Eastern chicken, roasted chicken, za’atar recipe, easy one-pan meal, healthy chicken recipe