Best Middle Eastern Garlic Roasted Chicken With Green Harissa And Flatbread Recipes

MIDDLE EASTERN-INSPIRED HERB AND GARLIC CHICKEN

Middle Eastern-Inspired Herb and Garlic Chicken image

This recipe was inspired by the Middle Eastern dried seasoning mix called za'atar, a combination of herbs (usually thyme, oregano and marjoram), sesame seeds and sumac, often spiked with salt. Here, fresh herbs are substituted for the dried, which, along with fresh parsley and mint and plenty of lemon and garlic, are used to marinated boneless chicken thighs. If you can't find sumac, just leave it out. It does add a nice tang and vibrant color, but the dish will work without it. Optimum marinating time here is 8 hours. But feel free to leave it for as little as 15 minutes or as long as 24 hours. If you would rather use white meat, substitute boneless skinless breasts but reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories weekday, weeknight, main course

Time 40m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 1 3/4 pounds)
6 garlic cloves, grated on a Microplane or minced
Juice and zest of 2 lemons
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more for serving
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, more for serving
2 tablespoons minced fresh mint
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano or marjoram
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, more for garnish (optional)
3/4 teaspoon sumac, more for garnish (optional)
2/3 cup plain Greek yogurt, preferably whole milk yogurt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

Combine chicken with all but 1 teaspoon of the grated garlic (save that teaspoon for the yogurt sauce), the zest and juice of 1 lemon, oil, parsley, mint, thyme, oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the sesame seeds and sumac, if using. Cover and marinate for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature; you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
Heat grill or broiler. If grilling, cook chicken over high heat until charred in spots, 4 to 7 minutes. Flip pieces and continue grilling until just cooked through, another 4 to 7 minutes. If broiling, arrange a rack 3 to 4 inches from flame. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spread chicken out in a single layer. Broil chicken, turning halfway through cooking, until well colored and charred in spots, 4 to 7 minutes per side. Be careful that it doesn't burn.
While chicken cooks, place yogurt in a small bowl. Stir in the reserved grated garlic and lemon zest and season to taste with salt. Serve the chicken drizzled with olive oil, remaining lemon juice to taste, black pepper, parsley and sesame seeds and sumac, if using, with the yogurt alongside for dipping.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 187, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 11 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 17 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 447 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams

MOROCCAN HARISSA ROAST CHICKEN

Moroccan Harissa Roast Chicken image

This roasting technique will not only give your chicken crisp, golden-brown skin, but also juicy tender meat every time. A mildly spicy homemade harissa gives it extra oomph.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories main-dish

Time 2h5m

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

5 dried New Mexico chiles (about 1 ounce)
4 dried guajillo chiles (about 1 ounce)
2 cups boiling water
1/4 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
1/4 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
One 3- to 4-pound whole chicken
1/2 yellow onion, quartered
1 rib celery, quartered

Steps:

Tear open the New Mexico and guajillo chiles and discard the seeds and stems. (You may leave the seeds in if you prefer a spicy harissa.) Tear the chiles into large pieces and place them in a medium bowl. Pour 2 cups boiling water over the chiles and let stand until softened, about 20 minutes.
Put the coriander and cumin seeds in a small skillet and cook, swirling often, over medium heat, until the seeds are fragrant and lightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the spices to a blender and add the oil, garlic, lemon juice and 2 teaspoons kosher salt, then puree until smooth. Using tongs, add the chiles to the blender along with 1/2 cup of their soaking liquid (discard the rest) and puree until very smooth, about 2 minutes on high. Season the harissa with pepper and set aside.
Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 475 degrees F.
In a small bowl, stir together 6 tablespoons butter with 1/4 cup of the harissa until smooth and well-combined; set aside. Place the chicken breast-side-up on a wire rack fitted into a rimmed baking sheet. Slide your forefinger gently under the skin of the chicken and loosen it from the breasts and thighs. Using a spoon, stuff the harissa butter underneath the skin of the breasts and thighs and press it so it spreads out evenly. Rub the exterior of the chicken with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity of the bird with the onion and celery and tie the legs together with butcher's twine.
Roast the chicken for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 400 degrees F and continue to roast until the skin is crispy and golden brown and a thermometer inserted into the thigh (avoiding bone) reads 160 degrees F, about 45 minutes longer. Remove from the oven and immediately brush all over with the remaining harissa. Set the chicken aside to rest for at least 10 minutes, then serve.