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Chicken Musakhan Recipe
Annie Graves

Chicken Musakhan

Experience the rich, savory flavors of Chicken Musakhan, a traditional Palestinian dish made with sumac-spiced chicken, caramelized onions, and flatbread. Perfect for a hearty meal.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 3
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

  • 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lbs)
  • 4 large onions thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
  • 3 tbsp ground sumac
  • 2 tsp ground allspice
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 large pieces of taboon bread flatbread, or pita bread
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts toasted
  • Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Substitutions
  • Vegan: Substitute chicken with roasted vegetables like eggplant zucchini, and mushrooms.
  • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flatbread or tortillas.
  • Low-Sodium: Use reduced-sodium chicken broth and season lightly with salt.

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Onions: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, for about 20-25 minutes until they are soft and caramelized. Add the ground sumac, allspice, cinnamon, black pepper, and salt, and stir to combine. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Rub the chicken thighs with a little olive oil, and season them with salt, pepper, and an additional sprinkle of sumac. Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish and roast for 35-40 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
  3. Prepare the Bread: While the chicken is cooking, place the flatbread on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and spread the caramelized onion mixture evenly over the bread. Once the chicken is done, place the cooked chicken thighs on top of the onion-covered flatbread.
  4. Final Bake: Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the bread to absorb the flavors and become slightly crispy.
  5. Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley. Serve the Chicken Musakhan hot, cutting the flatbread into pieces so each person gets some chicken and onions with their portion.

Notes

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

  • Calories: 500
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Sugar: 5g


Notes/Advice:

  • Additions/Subtractions:
    • If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the onion mixture.
    • For a more intense flavor, marinate the chicken in a mix of olive oil, sumac, allspice, and garlic for a few hours before roasting.
    • Pine nuts can be substituted with slivered almonds if preferred.