Skip to Content

Posted on Last updated: Categories 1-2 Hours, Chicken & Other Bird Recipes, Spicy Recipes

By: Author Brian Jones

Roast Chicken Legs with a Zaatar Crust

Jump to Recipe

The zaatar coating on these roast chicken legs is the real star of the show. The flavours of pomegranate molasses, mint and chili really are sublime together!

Portrait overhead image of zaatar chicken legs served with giant couscous, pomegranate seeds and roasted shallots served on a black plate

Roast Chicken Legs with a Zaatar Crust & Giant Couscous.

It’s the end of Winter I think I am definitely ready to say that Persian/North African flavours have been my ‘new black’ for the period.

This zaatar chicken leg recipe with couscous plays with those flavours that have become fairly common this winter.

These flavours have given me a new set of ingredients to liven up the monotony of stew season.

Becasue of this pomegranate molasses has become my new food squeeze.

Sweet, sour and all sorts of comforting it is an ingredient that I use a lot of. It features in recipes as diverse as this Iranian Fesenjan recipe to these Lamb Kofta.

Here it is combined with zaatar, chili and dried mint to form a crust for the chicken legs.

Portrait image of zaatar chicken legs served with giant couscous, pomegranate seeds and roasted shallots served on a black plate

What is Zaatar?

Well, it’s just another of those spice blends like garam masala or ras el hanout.

It varies from blend to blend but usually contains toasted sesame seeds and sumac along with salt, thyme and oregano or marjoram.

It is used from everything to seasoning for grilled meats through to a dip for flatbreads just after you have dipped them into olive oil.

Trust me you gotta try that one!

Mixed with dried mint and pomegranate molasses it forms an almost chewy fragrant crust to these roast chicken legs.

Close up portrait image of zaatar chicken legs served with giant couscous, pomegranate seeds

What to Serve with Zaatar Chicken Legs?

As a result of cooking the chicken legs in this way you get lots of flavour being left in the pan.

Throwing away those flavours is a crime and because of this you need a flavour mop. I find giant couscous works perfectly.

Why giant couscous? Well mainly because regular couscous would become too claggy when mixed in the pan… I tried!

The side dish here is designed to soak up those flavours and complement them.

Giant couscous is the perfect ingredient in this instance, closely followed by bulgur wheat. You can read more about Giant, pearl or Israeli couscous in this pork chop recipe.

But whatever you do do not throw that stuff away, hell just dip bread in it if you must, it is awesome!

Square image of zaatar chicken legs served with giant couscous, pomegranate seeds and roasted shallots served on a black plate
Yield: 2 Servings

Roast Chicken Legs with a Zaatar Crust & Giant Couscous.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

The coating on this Zaatar Chicken leg recipe is the real star of the show the flavours of pomegranate molasses, mint and chili are the perfect blend!

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • 2 Chicken Legs
  • 2 Tbsp Dried Mint
  • 2 Tbsp Zaaatar
  • 1 Tbsp Dried Chili Flakes
  • 1 Tsp Coarse Sea Salt
  • 3 Tbsp Pomegranate Molasses
  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil

For the Giant Couscous.

  • 150 g Israeli Couscous
  • 3 Shallots
  • 2 Spring onions
  • 30 g Walnuts
  • 10 g Parsley
  • 1 Small Pomegranate
  • 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
  • 1 Tbsp Rosewater

Instructions

  1. Mix together the ingredients for the chicken to form a thick paste and then slather over the chicken and set aside for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Peel and cut the shallots in half.
  3. Cut the spring onions into 5mm lengths and roughly chop the walnuts and parsley.
  4. Preheat your oven to 200°C or 400°F.
  5. Now heat a frying pan that you can transfer to the oven over a medium high heat and when hot add the oil and fry the shallots on the cut side until you get a nice colour.
  6. Flip over the shallots and add the marinaded chicken before transferring to the oven a roasting for 35-40 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 73°C or 165°F.
  7. Whilst the chicken is cooking cook the couscous as per the instructions on the packet, this should take 12-15 minutes. Try and time this so that it is ready a couple of minutes before your chicken is ready to come out of the oven.
  8. When the chicken is cooked remove it from the frying pan along with the onions and we will used the cooking juices as a coating for the couscous salad.
  9. So add the the couscous to the frying pan that the chicken was served in along with the rose water and stir to coat.
  10. Then add in the walnuts, pomegranate seeds, spring onions and parsley and combine.
  11. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

I like to separate my chicken thighs from the drumsticks and french trim the drummer. But it serves no purpose other than aesthetics and ease of eating.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1142Total Fat: 57gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 41gCholesterol: 329mgSodium: 1479mgCarbohydrates: 87gFiber: 11gSugar: 47gProtein: 74g

Calorific details are provided by a third-party application and are to be used as indicative figures only.

Did you make this recipe?

If you made this recipe, I'd love to see what you did and what I can do better, share a picture with me on Instagram and tag me @krumplibrian and tell me how it went!

© Brian Jones
Cuisine: Persian / Category: Chicken & Other Bird Recipes

Portrait overhead image of golden deep fried goats cheese, served on pea puree with garlic flowers , sliced radish, peas and spring onions
Previous
Deep Fried Goats Cheese with Pea Puree
Asparagus Soup may seem a little indulgent but this cream of asparagus soup is a beautifully spring like dish with a surprising and tasty garnish.
Next
Instant Pot Cream of Asparagus Soup
Krumpli Brian Jones Headshot

Hi, my name is Brian and I'm here to prove that ALL cooking is simple! You will get no gimmicks, no trends, no dietary advice and no life advice here, just great food designed for two, the occasional story or two and a spattering of sarcasm!

Coming Soon!

Indian vegan butter bean curry served with coriander and red onion featuring a title overlay.

Find My Dinner!

Skip to Recipe