Most of the time, our busy schedule prevents us from cooking a healthy meal, especially during winter when people prefer staying warm in their beds. It’s time to introduce the Middle Eastern Spiced Baked Chicken, a mouthwatering and easy-to-cook meal that will keep you healthy this season.
With its simple ingredients and easy preparation, the Middle Eastern Spiced Baked Chicken is the perfect recipe for every family. Served with pita bread or rice, this juicy, flavorful, oven-fried chicken will be your go-to dish no matter what the occasion!
Easiest Meal to Stay Healthy
Double the Fun with the Right Seasoning
Grilling chicken breast or leg quarters without using any spices or seasoning sounds boring. Healthy food is often said to be bland and bad, but after you try this simple and delicious meal, you’ll never look at healthy food the same way again.
Lemon juice along with the right peppers such as onion, Aleppo, and garlic make an irresistible flavorful meal.
The Perfect Meal with Lighter Prep
Incredibly flavorful and lower in calories, this golden-baked chicken tastes just like fried chicken. In addition to being lower in fat and calories, baking is also lighter than frying. Despite the fact that deep frying is easy, you can definitely feel the grease afterward.
The Needed Proteins Source for Your Carbs
The Perfect Match for Any Side Dish
Are you looking for a simple recipe that goes perfectly with any side dish? The answer to your concern is our special and tasteful Middle Eastern Spiced Baked Chicken. You can pair it with a bowl of Middle Eastern Vermicelli Rice (Ruz Bil Shi’iriya), some fresh salad, pita bread, or boiled vegetables.
You can also enjoy it by itself with some Middle Eastern toum, or garlic sauce on the side. This combo is inseparable!
An Easy Meal You Don’t Want to Miss
Top Tips for an Incredible Baked Chicken
To marinate, use a large bowl or dish and make sure the chicken is completely submerged.
Marinating chicken only takes 20 minutes, but you can keep it for longer if that’s more convenient for you. If necessary, store it in the refrigerator.
Before putting the chicken in the oven, make sure it is completely preheated.
Place a layer of parchment paper on a baking sheet, followed by a layer of melted butter.
For the best results, flip the chicken over halfway through baking.
This baked fried chicken is best served immediately after baking. If you want to save leftovers, keep them in the fridge in an airtight container for 4 days maximum. Note that the chicken won’t be as crispy after reheating.
If you want to make more chicken, make sure not to overcrowd the baking pan. You could use two pans and rotate them halfway through the baking time.
Simplest Chicken Recipe of All Time
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I used skin on leg quarters, chicken breasts will be perfect if you prefer boneless meals.
You can serve it with some pita bread, salad, or a bowl of rice.
Baking chicken leg quarters requires 40 to 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees. If you’re worried, use a digital thermometer.
Easiest Meal to Prepare
Ingredients
The simplicity of this spiced baked chicken is seen through its easy-to-find ingredients. The ingredients needed for this recipe are as follows:
Leg quarters or whole: the main ingredient
Yogurt: When compared to regular marinades, yogurt tenderizes meat much more gently.
Lemon juice: Lemon juice does not only add flavor and acidity, but it also tenderizes the chicken.
Yellow potatoes: In order to get a fully balanced and yummy meal.
Medium yellow onion: To give the recipe a lovely flavor.
Garlic Gloves: To add more flavors to the recipe.
Seasonings: 7 spices, coriander powder, Aleppo pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, old bay seasoning, turmeric, ground cardamom, and sumac (optional).
Sriracha, shatta, or samba: optional if you like your chicken spicy.
Easy Steps to Make this Chicken Recipe
Preparing this recipe is an easy cake! All you have to do is follow the below instructions:
First of all, add the spices, yogurt, and olive oil to the chicken and mix well.
Then, make sure to rub the mixture under the skin.
Now, peel and cut the potatoes into 2-inch pieces, and finely dice and chop the onion and garlic.
After that, add to a deep baking pan and mix well.
Finally, cover with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 425 for an hour, and uncover to crisp up.
Enjoy!
Yummiest Chicken Recipe
Must-try Recipes:
Easy Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
Palestinian Cauliflower Fritters (Emshat)
Authentic Middle Eastern Chicken Shawarma
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Middle Eastern Spiced Baked Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 leg quarters, whole
- 2 tablespoons yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon 7 spice
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ tablespoons old bay seasoning (or whatever chicken seasoning you like)
- ¼ tablespoon ground cardamom
- ½ tablespoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon sumac optional
- 2-4 large potatoes to your liking
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 6 garlic cloves
- sriracha, shatta or sambal optional
Instructions
- Add the spices, yogurt, and olive oil to the chicken and mix well.
- Make sure to rub the mixture under the skin.
- Peel and cut the potatoes into 1 inch pieces, and finely dice and chop the onion and garlic.
- Add to a deep baking pan and mix well.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 425 for 45-55 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165 F. Uncover to crisp up, or broil for a few minutes.
Notes
- To marinate, use a large bowl or dish and make sure the chicken is completely submerged.
- Before putting the chicken in the oven, make sure it is completely preheated.
- You can layer parchment paper before adding the chicken to your oven dish.
- If you want to make more chicken, make sure not to overcrowd the baking pan. You could use two pans and rotate them halfway through the baking time.
- Broil for a few minutes to crisp up.
35 Responses
I can’t wait to try this.. but do u add any water when u bake this or u just put it as is with the chicken potatoes…etc?
Hi! nope, no water. The chicken will release some liquid.
Thanks so much I’m trying this tonight inshallah it will look as good as yours 😀
It s says 20 mins cook time, then I instructions it says 1 hour. It’s 1 hour, right? Will it crisp up at 425 or is 450 better?
Hi, Cook time is 40-45 minutes as mentioned. at 425. You dont want to raise the temperature to 450 as that might make the chicken crispy on the outside but undercooked inside.I prefer to leave my chicken to broil for a few minutes after its done cooking to get it crispy.
Do you think I can make this ahead and then crisp up the skin right before serving?
Hello! Yes you can!
Tried it when it went viral- sooo good!!!
Amazing recipe! Most flavorful chicken I’ve had yet, and my husband loves it as well. This has become a recipe I frequently return to!
Rich of flavors , best chicken recipe I’ve ever made😍😍😍
Wow 😮 I was amazed by the taste of chicken how it’s so delicious with easy steps. Thank you for sharing you recipe
I made the Middle Eastern baked chicken twice now and let me tell you when I say nothing was left at the end…it was delicious, quickly becoming my go too chicken.
This was a very delicious recipe to follow!
Excellent and easy. Thanks for a great recipe.
This is my go to chicken recipe for gatherings.
My kids are picky and they ask for it every week.
Mashallah anek. ❤️
This was so delicious, and the chicken was so juicy. Love marinating in yogurt since this recipe.
Have tried this chicken and it was supeeeer easy and definitely a to go to on Sunday’s! I have also added aubergines, and courgettes halfway through and they came out lovely!
This recipe is so Good!! You all should try it! I actually made it on top of the rice and it was amazing with yoghurt ! 😍
Had this with freekeh soup and it was so friken good. Reminds me of restaurant roasted chicken
We made this next to the ouzi rice and my husband absolutely went crazy for it. Sooo good!
I made this for dinner and it was delicious! So juicy and flavorful! My husband loved it and even had seconds. This was easy to put together and took minimal effort.
We had this next to freekeh soup the other day and it was delicious. Its not oart of our regular dinner rotations
Just made this for my family and my kiddos devoured it on chicken thighs and potatoes. It’s a keeper
This was super tasty! I didnt get the same glazed finish nor the color, but that could be because of the spices I have. Anyway, tasted and smelled super good! Love this
I made this dish last night for my parents. It was a hit! Thank you for the recipe.
Made this for dinner for my kids and my MIL and it was a big hit! Didn’t even marinate it for more than 5 minutes and still was delicious. Didn’t use garlic or bay seasoning and I added carrots to the pan and it was delish. Definitely saving for future weeknight dinners.
I make this chicken for my kids for a quick after school meal and they absolutely love it. It’s quick , easy and healthy . It’s a must in our weekly menu.
Hi! Tried the recipe and I think I need to make a couple adjustments:) I have a few questions . Is there a sub for allepo spice ? When not crowding the pan is this just in regards of the chicken ? Is it okay to place the chicken on top of the potatoes ?
the pan shouldn’t be overcrowded- its only 4 leg quarters. You can place the chicken on the potatoes if you slice them into rounds, keep in mind this might make them stick or become mushy. Aleppo is a little bit spicy, so whatever you can handle from cayenne. Not sure what the adjustments are:)
Could I use a small whole chicken instead of just legs? Would I need to double the marinade?
you can, it should be enough for a chicken.
Does the yoghurt make a big difference to flavour?
In your notes you say to add parchment paper to baking sheet and add melted butter. Silly question but is this to the pan the cooking is chicken in?
it doesnt, it helps tenderize it. thats just a little extra step you COULD do but its not necessary.
Made this tonight and it was so good, but want to try again with shatta added. How much should I use with the recipe as written, and when do I add it?
add it with the marinade ingredients. It depends on how spicy you like it. for me, 2 tbsp on the whole tray doesnt give off any spice