Spicy Za’atar Grilled Chicken is a recipe that’s perfect for a summer barbecue!A simple spice blend of za’atar, Hungarian paprika, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper is whisked together in a small bowl. The spice blend then coats itself on 3-4 pounds of bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces. Grilled to a golden perfection, this chicken gets the perfect char without being overdone. This spicy za’atar grilled chicken is a delicious way to celebrate summertime grilling!
Ahhhh! It’s Friday! The best … day … ever! Zach and I will be spending this weekend moving a small portion of our belongings up to Wyoming, which should be…um…fun? Heck no, it won’t be fun. I am seriously DREADING this weekend. I specifically told Zach the last time we moved, that I never ever wanted to move again because of the extreme hate I feel for packing. Seriously you guys, this will be the 4th time we’ve moved in almost 4 years. This should be it though, and although we have movers coming to move most of our stuff, we have to move our things for our temporary living situation up now. I had to give most of my kitchen items a big old hug and kiss since I won’t be seeing them for 2 months. It wasn’t a pretty goodbye.
*sad face*
Anyway, I’m super excited to share this recipe for spicy za’atar grilled chicken with you guys today. I have been wanting to share this recipe for a while as Zach and I are OBSESSED with it. This recipe is perfect for those summer cookouts, and the smell it fills the air with? Oh my, it just smells sooooo good. It’s spicy, but not that knock you off your feet kind of spicy. It’s like a dull heat. The kind that lingers just a little in the back of your throat. It’s sensational, and I hope you guys enjoy it just as much as we do!
I hope all of you have wonderful plans for the weekend that don’t involve packing up and moving your entire life! The recipe for this grilled chicken is below! Pair it with an IPA. It will really tone down that heat. Happy Friday, friends! xo
Spicy Za’atar Grilled Chicken
Servings:
6
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup za'atar herbs de provence may be substituted
- 3 tablespoons Hungarian paprika
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons cracked black pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 3-4 pounds skin-on bone-in chicken pieces (I used a mixture of legs and thighs)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
In a small bowl, whisk together the za'atar, paprika, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Season the chicken generously with spice mixture, pressing in to adhere and making sure the chicken is fully coated.
Place the chicken pieces on the grill, skin side down, over direct heat (or flame). Grill for about 10 minutes until lightly charred. Flip the chicken and grill again over direct heat for 10 additional minutes. Transfer the chicken to a section of your grill that has indirect heat. If you are using a charcoal grill, move the charcoal to one side of the grill and place your chicken pieces on the opposite side. Close the grill and cook for about 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through (has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F). Rotate the chicken a few times during the cooking process.
Remove the chicken from heat and let rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and enjoy!
73 Responses
I have not tried za’atar before but I feel like I’m missing out now! Moving is no fun – I feel for ya!
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Try it!!! Thanks so much!
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This grilled chicken looks absolutely delish! We love your blog. Are you interested in becoming a recipe partner with us?
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Sure thing! Shoot me an email (can be found on the contact page)! Thanks!
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You poor thing – 4 moves in 4 years?! I love this chicken – the spices sound incredible! I have a jar of za’atar that I bought last year and haven’t used – I hope it is still good so I can try this recipe!
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USE IT! Thanks girlfriend!
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This sounds amazing! I am always looking for more ways to use za’atar, so I will definitely be trying it (and I’ll pick up an IPA while I’m at it). Good luck w/ the move, I feel your pain.
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Thanks, Heather! xo
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Moving is the WORST. We’ve moved a LOT in our marriage so I can totally relate to this. Good luck! I’m loving this grilled chicken – pinned!
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Thanks for the pin, cute face!
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Oooh, this really does look delicious! Love chicken dishes that are as simple as this … but still super tasty!
Good luck with the move. I know how you feel. I’ve moved a lot in the last few years too and I don’t think we’re done yet!Reply
Oh I hate when there is no end in sight. Ugh. Thanks Helen!
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I hate moving also!! So sorry. I’m loving this grilled spicy Za’atar chicken. This is right up my hubby’s spicy alley. Pinned!
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Thanks for the pin, pretty lady!
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four times in four years!! thats insane! I hope its the last time, for your sake.. eek! At least you can take solace in this grilled chicken.. love that zaatar! YUM!
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Aw, you’re the cutest. Thanks Krista! <3
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I remember moving last year…twice!! And I don’t want to do that again any time soon.
This chicken looks amazing!!Reply
Twice in one year is terrible! I do not envy you! Thanks so much girl.
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I am in love with that charred look on this chicken!! Looks so mouth watering delicious!!
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Awe, thanks Ami! You are the sweetest.
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Yum, this sounds amazing! I love the charred, smoky flavour chicken gets when it is cooked like this! Good luck with the move, we just did it 2 weeks ago with 2 little kids in tow – fun times :)
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Fun times right?! Thanks Donna!
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You had me at the first photo. This looks AMAZING! I feel your pain, too. I’ve moved three times in four years, one of the moves was from Australia to the USA. Packing is the absolute worst. Good luck with it all, I hope you get your kitchen stuff back asap. :)
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Aw, thanks so much Nataliya! It is the absolute worst!
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I LOVE za’atar!! Like, obsessed. This chicken looks awesome, Justine!
And moving is the worst! I would hate to think not having all my kitchen things around me, but I guess it has to be done!
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Ugh right?! Thanks so much friend! <3
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It is never too cold in Sydney for a BBQ, so even though it’s winter here, I’m going to try this soon. It looks so flavorful!!
I’m so jealous of your weather, Amanda! Thank you!
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I have now moved a total of 14 times in my life and after next week I will be moving a 15th time. This time with a baby in tow and what feels like an entire toy store. Hate is an understatement. I feel your pain girlfriend!! But this chicken, now that is something I can love. How did you make chicken look that pretty?! LOVEEEE and pinned ;-)
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Ugh, you definitely have had it worse than me! I grew up in an air force family, so I should be used to this right?! Not! Thanks for the pin pretty lady!
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Moving is not fun :( This chicken looks perfect! Love the combination of spices in za’atar. Pinned!
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Thanks so much for the pin, Mira! TOTALLY not fun moving!
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I’ve never even heard of za’atar before, but spicy grilled chicken always sounds fantastic! Good luck with the move this weekend. I hate moving. Such a hard decision to do it again, and I’m not looking forward to the process! But the end result makes it worth it right! :)
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The end result is DEFINITELY worth it! Thanks girlfriend! xo
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I’m so in love with Za’atar! lovely recipe!
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Thanks, Claudia!
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I never tried za’atar before but this recipe looks really easy! The grilled chicken is simply beautiful. Sharing of course :)
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You have to Maggie! Thanks!
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I hate moving, so you have my sympathies for moving so often! This chicken on the other hand, I LOVE!!
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Moving sucks! I’d be more upset about packing away my kitchen for 2 months though. :) Chicken looks great. Love the charred skin.
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Right?! Packing away the kitchen is the worst! Thanks Byron!
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Oh now, I bet that is super tasty. I tend to just use za’atar with a little olive oil and lemon then bake the chicken or roast it. This recipe has turbo charged the flavour!
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LOVING the lemon, olive oil and za’atar chicken! Trying that soon!
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Yes moving is such a huge pain!! I just moved twice in the past year. Not fun! This chicken sounds amazing! I love that it is spicy!
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Ugh, twice in a year?! I do not envy you, Kelley! Thanks girl!
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This looks so incredible. Makes me wish I had a grill! I so want to make dishes like this.
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Thank you, Debra!
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This chicken just screams flavor — YUM! :)
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Thanks so much Marcie! xo
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OMG YES! Pinning this absolutely delicious looking recipe!!!!
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