My immediate response was to smell it and take in the aromatics of thyme, sumac and sesame seeds. Everyone here already knows I think thyme is the universal perfect herb and I grow it year round. It can jump into almost any dish and into some desserts.

My appetite for good food is only surpassed by my appetite for food knowledge.

What is Za’atar?

Za’atar is a spice blend made from dried thyme, sumac, marjoram and toasted sesame seeds. It’s the sesame seeds that give that extra something something, and it’s a spice you can make at home. I now order it from Amazon as this brand was recommended to me. Za’atar means thyme in arabic. Thyme is also frequently used in Italian and French dishes.

Sumac is a small shrub with grown with red clusters that has a tangy lemony flavor. You can use lemon zest in its place if you’re going to use it as its made.

Some commercial brands may include roasted flour, so be sure to read the ingredient list when ordering. This is a gluten free and keto friendly brand.

Can I Make Za’atar at home?

Yes, you can. Here is a recipe.

• 3 tablespoons dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon ground sumac
• 1 tablespoon marjoram and a little sea salt.

 How can I use Za’atar?

I love it sprinkled on meat, such as lamb and  chicken. However, you can add a little to your vinaigrette, a dip, roasted potatoes, roasted vegetables, flat breads and soups. Try it with olive oil and bread or with cheese. Za’atar loves lamb! I like to add in lemon slices like I did with this za’atar chicken.

I recently did my DNA test and it seems that somewhere in our ancestry, aside from Italian, we have some middle eastern and North African roots. So, it’s no wonder I love this food and also tend to cook a lot with fruit and nuts in my savory dishes.  You could easily throw some pomegranate seeds on this dish as often seen in many middle eastern dishes as it adds a little sweetness, texture and good health.

Where does Za’atar come from?

This is a spice blend from the middle east and Mediterranean.

Does Za’atar Have Health Benefits?

Absolutely, as za’atar has been used for medicinal purposes, is packed with anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Why is this Za’atar Chicken so Delicious?

The flavors work together well, but I also started with air-chilled chicken, which is by far the tastiest. Thyme is nearly a universally loved herb that wakes food up aromatically, yet gently. When I do baked chicken pieces, I find a green bell pepper adds a little something to chicken as does an onion. The lemon slices top it off with that extra zest.

Is Za’atar Chicken an Easy Dinner?

Yes, here’s is the dish everyone will love. It tastes like a lot more effort went into it, but it it’s about a five minute prep job, and is done in about 45 minutes in the oven. This is big fat healthy food at its easiest and tastiest. Make a huge pan of this as this is a very good dish left over.

Is Za’atar Chicken Keto Friendly, Paleo Friendly?

Za’atar chicken is a naturally keto and paleo friendly dish. I chose to add in turnips instead of potatoes to keep the carbs down. You can switch that up if you like.

Process for Za’atar Chicken

Za’atar chicken can be made with a mix of chicken pieces or all thighs or all breasts. I always cut the breasts in half. I like to place my chicken on top of my onion and green pepper and spread the za’atar all over the chicken which has been rubbed with olive oil. I added in turnips to keep the carbs low.

Za’atar chicken would also be amazing over orzo, couscous or any ancient grain. Crusty bread could sop up the za’atar flavored lemony olive oil.

I love baking this in my Le Creuset, but you can use any baking dish.

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I recently got THIS QUESTION regarding za’atar chicken. 

What if I don’t want to use za’atar but want to make this chicken. What other spices can I use?

I would recommend a smaller amount of oregano, rosemary or an Italian seasoning.

This is a dish you will make many times. Please let me know when you do and if you share on instagram use the hashtag #spinachtiger.

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Za’atar Chicken with Charred Lemon, Roasted Turnips (Keto)

Za’atar Chicken with peppers, onions, lemon and olive oil. Keto Friendly, Paleo, Whole 30 friendly.

Course Entree

Cuisine Mediterranean

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Angela Roberts

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of chicken pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large green bell pepper
• 1 large onion
• 2 turnips or potatoes cut into wedges
• 1/2 cup za'atar
• 1 lemon sliced thinly

Instructions

• Salt chicken pieces one day in advance if you have the time.
• Take chicken out one to two hours in advance of baking.
• I tend to leave the salt on the chicken. If you didn’t do this step, salt chicken.
• Trim bell pepper and seed. Cut bell pepper and onion into strips and slices.
• Place on bottom of pan. Drizzle olive oil over the pieces.
• Place the chicken on top of the vegetables, skin side up.
• Drizzle olive oil over the chicken pieces.
• Sprinkle za’atar over chicken generously.
• Place lemon slices on top.
• Add in turnips or potatoes in between chicken pieces, making sure they also are covered with olive oil, salt and pepper.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until chicken has internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

The post Za’atar Chicken with Charred Lemon, Roasted Turnips (Keto) appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

The Good News about Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

• Leftovers – Make a big batch. Send it for lunch, or have it for another dinner. We work from home, so lunch from the night’s before dinner is always welcome.
• Delicious – Thighs are tasty. I used the za’atar seasoning and lemon slices, but you can use your favorite herbs. And, who doesn’t love potatoes.
• Affordable – We keep hearing about the prices of meat. So far, chicken thighs are still affordable but get the best quality you can. I love Greenwise at Publix and Bell Evans at Whole Foods. Costco organic is another good choice.
• Easy – One sheet pan is all you need. You will have to peel the potatoes, but you can peel and cut and place in water the night before, to make this easy if you’re getting off work and are rushed for dinner.
• Family dinner friendly. Add in the green beans in the last half hour of this one hour bake. A family that eats dinner together (sans phones) is a happier family. Food bonds people, so take advantage of that.
• Healthy Dinner – Need I say more. Chicken, potatoes, green beans, olive oil, lemons are real foods.
• Looks Good – Yes, food should look good.

Easy to Make

• Peel and cut potatoes into quarters.
• Slice lemons
• Dry thighs and sprinkle with salt, pepper, za’atar or Italian seasoning.
• Arrange in sheet pan and douse with olive oil.
• Variations: Add in pieces of green bell pepper or olives.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 50-60 minutes.
• Add green beans in last 30 minutes.

Low Carb Option

Replace potatoes with cauliflower pieces.

More Easy Dinners

• Parmesan Chicken Cutlets
• Twenty Minute Macaroni Bean Soup
• Greek Chicken Kabobs
• Deconstructed Cabbage Rolls
• Salmon Kabobs on the Grill

As always, let me know if you make this dish. Would love to hear from you and Happy Back to School Time if this fits your life.

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Kitchen Tools for this Recipe

• USA Sheet Pan (the BEST pans in my opinion)
• Stainless Steel Potato Peeler
• Za’atar Seasoning

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Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

Za'atar Chicken with lemon and olive oil. Keto Friendly, Paleo, Whole 30 friendly.

Course Entree

Cuisine Mediterranean

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Angela Roberts

Ingredients

• 6 chicken thighs
• 4 tablespoons olive oil more if needed
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 potatoes peeled, cut into quarters
• 1/2 cup za'atar
• 2 lemons sliced thinly
• 1 package green beans trimmed

Instructions

• Salt chicken pieces one day in advance if you have the time.
• Take chicken out one to two hours in advance of baking.
• I tend to leave the salt on the chicken. If you didn’t do this step, salt chicken.
• Place on bottom of pan. Drizzle olive oil over the pieces.
• Drizzle olive oil over the chicken pieces.
• Sprinkle za’atar over chicken generously.
• Place lemon slices on top.
• Add potatoes in between chicken pieces, making sure they also are covered with olive oil, salt and pepper.
  
• Bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until chicken has internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
• Add in green beans in last 25 minutes. Toss with olive oil first.
  

The post Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken and Potatoes appeared first on Spinach Tiger.

I started this recipe with a rack of lamb. Costco has a wonderful lamb section, where you can have your choice of size, ranging from around $14 to $20. Slide the rack out of the plastic, season with salt and pepper and allow the chill to come down, while you preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Then you can simply sprinkle one of my favorite spices, za’atar,  onto the lamb with a bit of olive oil and lemon, and roast for about 15 minutes.

How to Cook Lamb Medium Rare

I personally think medium rare is perfect for lamb.

Use a meat thermometer in the center of the rack. Once the lamb reaches 145 F. remove from oven and allow to rest for ten minutes. Once the lamb is rested, cut into chops. There will be juice from the fat of the lamb which will also have extra flavor.

I finally found a meat thermometer I love. It’s hefty and the prong folds so it’s easily stored. Once opened, it automatically comes on. This recently replaced a rather poor and short-lived thermometer.

Fancy and Fast Roasted Za’atar Lamb Chops

I always think lamb chops or rack of lamb is a fancy dinner. It’s usually the highest priced on a menu and only found in fancy restaurants. We love having these as a quick Sunday night dinner with an arugula salad, a perfect pairing with the acid in a lemony dressing.

What is Za’atar

I made a fantastic za’atar chicken dish here, as this spice loves chicken as much as lamb. It’s a middle eastern spice blend of sesame seeds, sumac, marjoram, sea salt and thyme. You can buy it here or make your own.

Seven More Scrumptious Lamb Recipes from Spinach Tiger

You may also love this Za’atar Chicken Dish, a dish I make over and over.

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Za'atar Roasted Lamb Chops

Fifteen minute roasted rack of lamb, cut into lamb chops, seasoned with za'atar.

Course Meat

Cuisine Middle Eastern

Keyword lamb chops, zaatar

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Resting time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 2 servings

Equipment

• Meat Thermometer

Ingredients

• 1 pound Or Rack of Lamb
• 4 tablespoons zaatar spice blend
• 1 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 whole lemon
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

• Trim any excess fat off rack of lamb.
• Season with salt and pepper. Allow lamb to rest outside of refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. F
• Rub olive oil on lamb.
• Sprinkle with za'atar spice blend.
• Slice lemons and place over lamb.
• Roast for 15 minutes, checking internal temperature. You want 145 F. for medium rare.
• Once lamb has reached 145 F. rest for ten minutes. Cut into chops.

The post Za’atar Spiced Lamb Chops from Rack of Lamb appeared first on Spinach Tiger.