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Bon Appétit

Za'atar Roast Chicken With Green Tahini Sauce

By Yotam Ottolenghi

4.2

(34)

Photo of za'atar roast chicken and pita on a black platter.
Za'atar Roast Chicken with Green Tahini SauceMarcus Nilsson

Because of the brothy marinade, the skin won't get as crisp as with other roast chickens, but the flesh will be so tender, you'll want to eat it with your hands.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    6 servings

Ingredients

Green tahini sauce:

2 garlic cloves, smashed
1 cup (lightly packed) flat-leaf parsley leaves with tender stems
1/2 cup tahini
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt

Chicken and assembly:

1 3 1/2–4-pound chicken, cut into quarters, or 2 large skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts and 2 skin-on, bone-in chicken legs
2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, smashed
1 lemon, thinly sliced, seeds removed
1 tablespoon sumac
1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water
1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons za'atar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup pine nuts
6 pieces lavash or other flatbread

Ingredient info:

Za'atar and sumac are available at Middle Eastern markets and specialty foods stores, and online.

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Green tahini sauce Pulse garlic, parsley, tahini, lemon juice, and 1/2 cup water in a food processor, adding more water if needed, until smooth (sauce should be the consistency of a thin mayonnaise); season with salt.

    Step 2

    Do ahead: Sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

    Step 3

    Chicken and assembly Preheat oven to 400°. Toss chicken, onions, garlic, lemon, sumac, allspice, cinnamon, broth, and 1/4 cup oil in a large resealable plastic bag; season with salt and pepper. Chill at least 2 hours.

    Step 4

    Place chicken, onions, garlic, and lemon on a rimmed baking sheet, spooning any remaining marinade over and around chicken. Sprinkle with za'atar and roast until chicken is browned and cooked through, 45–55 minutes.

    Step 5

    Meanwhile, melt butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add pine nuts and cook, stirring often, until butter foams, then browns, and nuts are golden brown (be careful not to burn), about 4 minutes; season with salt.

    Step 6

    Slice chicken breasts, if desired. Serve chicken with roasted onion and lemon, topped with pine nuts, with green tahini sauce and lavash.

    Step 7

    Do ahead: Chicken can be marinated 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

TagsSauceLevantineParsleyHerbs & SpicesTahiniLemonCitrusFruitWhole ChickenChickenPoultryChicken BreastChicken LegRed OnionOnionRoot VegetableVegetableSumacZa'atarPine NutNutMainDinnerRoastBon Appétit

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