Arabic Chicken With Lemon Thyme Recipe

This family-favorite recipe, inspired by the beloved "Foods from Biblical Lands" cookbook, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Our kids call it "Arabic Chicken," and it's a potluck staple that always receives rave reviews. Succulent chicken marinated in a vibrant blend of lemon and thyme, then baked to golden perfection. The flavorful cooking juices are incredible over rice, potatoes, or any roasted vegetables – we even marinate veggies in the leftover marinade! This recipe is incredibly versatile; use bone-in or boneless, skinless chicken breasts, bake, broil, or even grill it – it's almost impossible to mess up! Prepare for a taste of the Middle East that’s both simple and unforgettable. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or your next gathering!

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 145 mins
Calories 1469.3 kcal
Protein 225g
Rating 4.5 (12 Reviews)
Arabic Chicken With Lemon Thyme 23

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Arabic Chicken With Lemon Thyme

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How to Make Arabic Chicken With Lemon Thyme

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients: 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 tablespoons dried thyme, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  2. Add 1.5 lbs of bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces) to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are coated. Marinate for at least 1 hour, or preferably longer (up to overnight in the refrigerator).
  3. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the marinated chicken in a single layer in a baking dish.
  4. Bake for 60 minutes.
  5. After 60 minutes, switch to broil for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). If using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, reduce broiling time to avoid overcooking.
  6. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Spoon the delicious pan juices over rice, potatoes, or other vegetables.
  7. Serve the chicken over rice pilaf for an easy, self-serve dish (see our rice pilaf recipe suggestion!).

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

17 g

Sugar

3g

Fat

142g

Carbs

0g

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