MAYAZ'S ZAATAR CHICKEN

Recipes like these are my favourite, Just throw in all ingredients and let them cook type. I'm sure these days life has become so fast for us all no one really has the time to roast and grind the masalas rather we all want something thats less time consuming and great to serve for friends at the weekend dinner or just have a cozy dinner with your partner. I've lived in Abu Dhabi for 15 years and have never liked zaatar as much as I like it now, i must say its become one of my favourite ingredients. Zaatar is a mixture of thyme,lemon salt,seasam seeds very Mediterranean spice it is. When we were living in the U.A.E every alternate weekend a must thing was to visit Dubai, in Dubai at the time Ghurair center was quite a posh mall to visit I've heard its no more that way, on the back of Ghurair center there was a Lebanese restaurant that we visited occasionally and that's where we had our zaatar chicken it was just too juicy and most tasty ever. Ever since I've been wanting to try making it in my home but didn't have the proper recipe. Last year I was watching some food channel and came across this particular one but as Always this one has a bit of my twist.Hoping you'll enjoy making it in you homes too...HAVE FUN...;)

INGREDIENTS:-

• 1 Whole chicken cut in 4-5 pieces(with skin)
• 2 Tbsp Sea salt
• 4 Tbsp zaatar more if you like more( you'll find it in Arab,Indian or Pakistani shops abroad)
• 4Tbsp olive oil
• 3-4 Medium sized potatoes
• Some coriander or mint leaves for garnish
• 1 Lemon cut in wedges for garnish
  

METHOD:-

1. preheat oven 180 deg
2. Wash you chicken thoroughly.
3. In grilling pan or a frying pan add olive oil and warm it till it crackles.
4. Add chicken piece by piece and fry till its golden brown on the skin side.
5. Cut potatoes in big chunky pieces.
6. Add the potatoes to the baking dish in the bottom of the tray .
7. Place your chicken over the potatoes in the tray and add the olive oil that you used for frying the chicken keeping aside about 1Tbsp olive for later.
8. Place the baking dish in the oven and let it cook for about 30 Min's or until you feel the potatoes are cooked.
9. Take it out of the oven and sprinkle zaatar and sea salt.
10. Then sprinkle the 1Tbsp olive oil over the chicken.
11. Place it back in the oven for 10 Min's switching the top grill on.

This recipe has been a favourite in my family and friends and I hope it becomes a household recipe for you too. People who like chicken roasts and grilled chicken would fall in love with this recipe its best served with fresh salad and humous. until next time..enjoy..:)