Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant flavors of the Middle East with our exploration of the tantalizing "Crispy Zaatar Chicken Pilaf with Pomegranate." This delectable dish captivates the senses with its aromatic blend of zaatar, a quintessential Middle Eastern herb mix, and the vibrant tanginess of pomegranate. Succulent chicken pieces are coated in a crispy, flavorful crust, while fluffy rice absorbs the essence of zaatar and chicken juices. Garnished with pomegranate arils, this pilaf offers a symphony of textures and tastes that will transport you to the bustling streets of a traditional Middle Eastern market. Join us as we delve into the culinary secrets behind this delightful recipe.
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CRISPY ZA'ATAR CHICKEN PILAF WITH POMEGRANATE
Nestle crispy za'atar chicken pieces amongst pistachio pilaf rice for an irresistible supper. It's a riot of colour, texture and flavour
Provided by Esther Clark
Categories Dinner
Time 1h35m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Toss together the chicken thighs oil, 1 tsp salt, garlic and lemon juice in a large bowl. Cover and chill for at least 1 hr, or up to 12 hrs.
- Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4, and heat a frying pan over a high heat. Fry the chicken, skin-side down, for 5-7 mins, or until golden and crisp. Transfer to a baking tray and sprinkle with the za'atar, then roast for 10 mins.
- For the rice, heat the oil and butter in a large, shallow casserole or frying pan over a low-medium heat. Fry the onions with a pinch of salt for 15 mins until caramelised and sticky. Stir in the rice, stock, pistachios and chilli flakes. Season. Arrange the roasted chicken thighs on top of the rice, and pour over any roasting juices from the tray. Cook in the oven for 45 mins, or until the rice is tender. Remove from the oven, cover and rest for 5 mins.
- Scatter the chicken pilaf with the pomegranate seeds and parsley, then serve in shallow bowls.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 743 calories, Fat 39 grams fat, SaturatedFat 12 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 60 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 11 grams sugar, Fiber 7 grams fiber, Protein 36 grams protein, Sodium 2.1 milligram of sodium
ZA'ATAR CHICKEN THIGHS
Chicken thighs that are ridiculously simple yet packed with flavor thanks to a generous amount of za'atar. I like to serve this chicken with a fresh green salad of romaine, red onion, and tomato with a tahini-lemon dressing.
Provided by Diana Moutsopoulos
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Chicken Thigh Recipes
Time 35m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Place chicken in a bowl and coat with olive oil. Season liberally with sea salt and black pepper on all sides.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs, skin-side down, to the hot skillet. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon za'atar immediately over each chicken thigh. Cook chicken, without turning, until skin is crispy and browned, 7 to 10 minutes.
- Turn chicken so skin side faces up and remove skillet from heat. Sprinkle remaining za'atar quickly and evenly over each chicken thigh. Spoon some of the rendered chicken fat from the pan over the top of the za'atar.
- Place the skillet in the preheated oven and roast until juices run clear and chicken is no longer pink near the bone, about 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 193.9 calories, Carbohydrate 2.1 g, Cholesterol 70.3 mg, Fat 11.7 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 19.5 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 146.9 mg, Sugar 0.1 g
OVEN-ROASTED ZA'ATAR CHICKEN BREASTS
This za'atar-marinated chicken gets an extra dose of za'atar seasoning right before being roasted in the oven for a tender and juicy meal. Za'atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend found in most spice shops or you can make your own using one of the many recipes found online. Serve the za'atar chicken with couscous, roasted potatoes, or atop a salad.
Provided by France C
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Chicken Breast Recipes
Time 2h30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Pound chicken breasts to a 1-inch thickness for even cooking. Place in a large resealable plastic bag.
- Combine 2 tablespoons za'atar seasoning, lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic in a small bowl. Pour mixture over the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Seal the bag and refrigerate for 2 to 8 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with cooking spray.
- Place chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with remaining za'atar seasoning.
- Roast in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 23 to 25 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Season with salt.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 201.9 calories, Carbohydrate 3 g, Cholesterol 67.2 mg, Fat 9.8 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 24.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 100.3 mg, Sugar 0.2 g
ZA'ATAR CHICKEN AND RICE PILAF RECIPE BY TASTY
This chicken and rice dish makes a great meal for special occasions or impressing guests. It's quite simple to prepare but is full of flavor, and the za'atar brings it all together. Brining the chicken keeps the meat moist while the skin gets nice and crispy, making for a great presentation and almost foolproof cooking. The rice pilaf is hearty and savory, and it cooks up quickly while the chicken roasts.
Provided by Rie McClenny
Categories Dinner
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 28
Steps:
- Spatchcock the chicken: Place the chicken, breast-side down, on a cutting board. Using a pair of kitchen shears or a very sharp knife, find the backbone of the chicken and cut up both sides to remove. Remove any giblets remaining inside the chicken. Turn the chicken over and press down on the breastbone until the chicken lies flat.
- Make the brine: In a small, dry pan, toast the peppercorns, fennel seeds, and coriander seeds until fragrant and starting to change color, 1-2 minutes.
- Transfer the toasted spices to a large pot with 1 quart (1 liter) of water, the oregano, thyme, bay leaves, salt, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar and salt, then let boil for 1 minute. Remove the pot from the heat. Transfer the brine to a large container. Cool the brine by adding the remaining water.
- Place the chicken in the brine, cover the container, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Place a wire rack or roasting rack on top of a baking sheet.
- Make the chicken seasoning: In a food processor, combine the lemon peel, garlic, and canola oil. Process into a thick paste.
- Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. Use your fingers to carefully separate the skin from the breasts and thighs. Rub the lemon garlic paste over the bird, making sure to get some under the skin. Rub the softened butter underneath and over the skin. Season on both sides with the salt and za'atar. Place the chicken on the rack set over the baking sheet, breast-side up.
- Roast the chicken for 40-50 minutes, until the breast meat reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Roast until the thigh meat, near the bones, reaches 160°F (71°C). Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the rice pilaf: Place the rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under running water until the water runs clear. Transfer the rice to a medium bowl and cover with water by 1 inch (2.5 cm). Soak for 10 minutes.
- Add the chicken stock to a small pot and bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low so the stock stays warm.
- In a large pot or pan over medium heat, combine the butter, garlic, and fideo. Cook, stirring constantly, until most of the noodles are golden brown, about 5 minutes.
- Drain the rice once the noodles are toasted, then add to the pan and sauté until the rice is dry and coated with the butter, 2-3 minutes.
- Add the hot chicken stock, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the noodles curl up, about 15 minutes. Fluff the pilaf with a fork, then cover again and let sit for at least 5 minutes before serving.
- Make the za'atar oil: In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, za'atar, and salt.
- Carve the chicken, then arrange over the rice pilaf and spoon the za'atar oil over. Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
- Enjoy!
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use high-quality olive oil and fresh herbs.
- If you don't have time to marinate the chicken, you can simply sprinkle it with olive oil and seasonings before cooking.
- Be sure to cook the chicken until it is golden brown and cooked through.
- If you don't have basmati rice, you can use another type of long-grain rice, such as jasmine rice or brown rice.
- Be sure to rinse the rice before cooking to remove any excess starch.
- To make the pilaf even more flavorful, you can add a cup of chopped vegetables, such as carrots, celery, or onions, to the pot before adding the rice.
- Serve the pilaf with a dollop of yogurt or sour cream and a sprinkling of fresh herbs.
Conclusion:
Crispy Zaatar Chicken Pilaf with Pomegranate is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The chicken is marinated in a flavorful blend of zaatar, olive oil, and lemon juice, then roasted until crispy. The pilaf is made with basmati rice, chicken broth, and a variety of spices. The dish is finished with a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds and fresh herbs. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table.
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