Za’atar Chicken

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Cook: 5 hours

Makes

6 servings

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
It's hard to find a dinner that both my husband and kids will enjoy—and even harder to find one that's fast and easy. This is it! No matter how much I make of this dish, every morsel is eaten. —Esther Erani, Brooklyn, New York

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup za'atar seasoning
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 3 pounds bone-in chicken thighs
  • 1 cup pimiento-stuffed olives
  • 1/2 cup dried apricots
  • 1/2 cup pitted dried plums (prunes)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Hot cooked basmati rice, optional

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. Add chicken; toss to coat.
  2. Arrange olives, apricots and plums on the bottom of a 4- or 5-quart slow cooker. Add 1/4 cup water; top with chicken. Cook, covered, on low until chicken is tender, 5-6 hours. If desired, serve with rice.

Test Kitchen tips
  • If you have a few minutes to spare, try browning the chicken in a little oil before placing it in the slow cooker.
  • Make your own za'atar spice by mixing 1 Tbsp. each fresh chopped oregano, ground sumac, ground cumin and sesame seeds; and 1 tsp. each kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
  • Za’atar seasoning may become your new favorite spice. Add it to melted butter and toss with popcorn, mix it with olive oil for a dipping sauce or toss it with potatoes before roasting.
  • Nutrition Facts

    1 serving: 484 calories, 32g fat (7g saturated fat), 107mg cholesterol, 1367mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 30g protein.