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Za’atar Spiced Grilled Chicken

Name: Za'atar Spiced Grilled Chicken
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 44 min
Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless); 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1/4 cup lemon juice; 1/4 cup za'atar; 4 cloves garlic (minced); 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon pepper

LIZ DELLA CROCE

05/31/2023

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Updated:

11/24/2024

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Za’atar Spiced Grilled Chicken breasts are tender and juicy thanks to a simple marinade of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and za’atar.

Table of Contents

Za’atar is one of my favorite spice blends of all time which is why it thrills me beyond belief to see it becoming trendy these days. The truth is, when I open up a bag of fresh za’atar, the earthy, smoky aroma immediately transports me back into my Great Aunt Vieve’s kitchen. I have countless memories of being a little girl watching her as she masterfully sprinkled za’atar over her famous Middle Eastern Salad with Lemon, Mint and Garlic.

If you’re not familiar with za’atar, think of it as an all-in-one Middle Eastern spice blend, similar to my All-Purpose Lebanese Spice Blend. In addition to spicing up any salad, it is an ideal rub for grilled meats and vegetables. When combined with olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh garlic, Za’atar Spiced Grilled Chicken breasts become a tender, juicy, and flavor-packed weeknight dinner the whole family will devour.

Ingredients

Chicken breasts: An accessible, affordable source of lean protein that grills to be tender and juicy.
Olive oil: Helps to coat the chicken in the spices to soak up the flavor.
Lemon juice: The lemon not only adds great flavor, but the acidity also helps to tenderize the chicken.
Za’atar: A delicious Middle Eastern blend of spices that usually consist of za’atar itself, along with oregano, thyme, sumac, and sometimes marjoram.
Garlic: Nutty, pungent, aromatic flavor that pairs well with the za’atar spice.

How to Make Za’atar Spiced Grilled Chickens

Start your za’atar spiced grilled chicken by making the marinade. First juice your lemon into a large bowl.

Then you’ll drizzle in the olive oil.

Next take a microplane or garlic press and add the garlic cloves.

Then season with a bit of salt and pepper to taste.

And finish with the za’atar spice.

Whisk it all together until fully combined.

Then add your chicken to the bowl and mix around to make sure they are fully coated, then let marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or overnight.

When ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high and grill for about 7 minutes per side.

Forkful of za'atar spiced grilled chicken.

When finished cooking, let rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your Za’atar Spiced Grilled Chicken!

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long to marinate chicken in spices?

As a rule of thumb, I say plan for at least 30 minutes to marinate. But the longer you can let it sit, the better the flavor will be. It’s amazing the extra punch of flavor you’ll get if you let your chicken marinate for 5-6 hours.

How do you keep chicken soft and moist?

Marinating and coating the chicken in olive oil before cooking helps to keep the chicken from drying out on the grill.

What do you do with za’atar spice?

I love to use it on all kinds of meat as well as vegetables! It’s great on both baked and grilled dishes.

Complimentary Side DIshes

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Did you try this recipe and like it? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your dish.

Liz grilling za'atar spiced grilled chicken outside on her grill.

This summer you’ll definitely want to try my za’atar spiced grilled chicken. Be sure to grill a little extra – it’s great the next day in sandwiches, salads, or pitas.

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Za’atar Spiced Grilled Chicken

4.36 stars average

Liz Della Croce

These Za’atar Spiced Grilled Chicken breasts are tender and juicy thanks to a simple marinade of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and za’atar.

PREP: 30

COOK: 14

TOTAL: 44

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4

Ingredients

Instructions

Place chicken breasts in a large glass baking dish or resealable plastic bag.
4 chicken breasts
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, za'atar, garlic, salt, and pepper then pour marinade over the chicken. Move chicken breasts around to ensure they are evenly coated in mixture. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to overnight.
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup za’atar, 4 cloves garlic, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper
Grill chicken breasts on medium-high heat for 7-8 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 155 degrees or higher. Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving to allow juices to re-distribute.

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Nutrition

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Hi, I’m Liz!

Hey there, I’m Liz Della Croce and I’m thrilled to have you here! My aim is to motivate and ignite your passion for cooking amazing meals for your loved ones. I believe in the power of real, wholesome ingredients that are bursting with flavor and won’t break the bank. Whether it’s a traditional Lebanese recipe from my family or a culinary creation from across the globe, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that nutritious food can be exciting, affordable, and easy to prepare.

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4.36 from 77 votes (66 ratings without comment)

67 responses to “Za’atar Spiced Grilled Chicken”

Lesley Maple

This was our first time with za’atar and we loved this recipe. The za’atar with the lemon from the marinade hit all the bases for me. I marinated the chicken for about 5 hours and cooked indoors on a grill pan.

We’ll definitely make this again.

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  So glad you gave the za’atar a try and liked it! Thanks for sharing!
  
  Reply
Lori Wilke

Love Zaatar but this has way too much salt.

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  You could always try just 1 teaspoon instead of 2, but salt is definitely something you want to do more to your taste!
  
  Reply