I’m obsessed with chicken and rice dishes and this recipe brings together my favorite concept wrapped in delicious Middle Eastern flavors. From the tangy notes of the za'atar seasoning to the aroma of fresh and dried herbs, each ingredient lends a complex flavor to this Za'atar flavored Chicken and Rice dish.

Why you should Try this Za’atar Chicken and Rice
- Balanced Spice: Unlike Asian cuisines that rely heavily on heat and spice, Mediterranean cuisine is all about simple flavors where the meat shines through.
- Easy and Convenient: You can make this dish in under 30 minutes!
- Delicious: This recipe went viral on my Instagram and for good reason. It’s absolutely delicious and tested again and again by my wonderful community of foodies.
Can I make homemade Za’atar Seasoning
Za’atar seasoning is an aromatic and a potent spice blend that consists of dried herbs like thyme, oregano, cumin mixed with sesame seeds and sumac. Together this spice blend has a fantastic earthy aroma which, once you combine with olive oil and a few other ingredients, make for the best marinade for this chicken.
You can make a batch of za’atar seasoning from scratch but grabbing it from the store is super convenient and will last you a very long time.

Tips to Make the Best Za’atar Chicken and Rice:
- Chicken Thighs: For juicy chicken, I always prefer chicken thighs. It’s the most forgiving meat when it comes to cooking time so even if you go a little over, it would remain juicy!
- Air fryer: You can make this in an oven but the air fryer is my favorite cooking appliance. It results in a moist chicken that has a nice char. Char equals flavor!
- Fluffy Rice: This recipe calls for cooking rice separately. To make the fluffiest rice, cover the lid with a kitchen towel for the last 5 mins and turn the flame to its lowest setting. This will result in grains that are fluffy not mushy.
- Garlic Dip: This dip is a must with this dish. It has a bite to it from the fresh garlic and creaminess from the yogurt. I make this dip with most of my Mediterranean chicken and rice bowls.
What is Allspice and is there an alternative
The name allspice is a bit misleading because it suggests that it’s a spice blend. In reality, however, allspice is a single spice made from the dried, unripe berries of the Pimenta dioica tree, native to the Caribbean and Central America. Its name comes from its flavor profile, which combines the taste and aroma of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper—hence the name "allspice." If you can't find ground allspice berries, you can combine a pinch of ground cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper to mimic the taste.
How to make Za’atar chicken and rice
Chicken Skewers:
- Meat: I prefer to use chicken thighs; it remains juicy and moist even with heating leftovers.
- Dairy: Greek yogurt to your marinade will make the chicken tender and I never skip on this. Regular yogurt is fine to use as well.
- Seasoning: Za'atar seasoning blend. It's easy to just grab this from the store. It will last you a long time.
- Other spices & aromatics: all spice, garlic, cilantro, parsley
Instructions:
- Begin by marinating chicken thighs in a mixture of yogurt, za'atar seasoning, garlic, and aromatic herbs. This yogurt marinade not only infuses the chicken with flavor but also helps to tenderize it. For an extra burst of citrusy freshness, don't forget to add a squeeze of lime or lemon juice before cooking.
- Once marinated, thread the chicken onto wooden skewers. I highly recommend using an air fryer for a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
- Set the temperature to 400°F and cook for approximately 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken is cooked to your desired doneness.
Perfect Rice Pilaf:
- Veggies: onion
- Aromatics: garlic, allspice, turmeric, parsley, chili flakes, salt
- Rice: Long-grain Basmati rice for that fluffy wholesome texture and mouth-feel
- Liquid: water is perfect but you may swap with some chicken stock
Instructions:
- Begin by sautéing sliced red onions and minced garlic in olive oil until translucent. Add a pinch of allspice and turmeric, sautee for a minute before tossing in fresh chopped parsley.
- Next, add rinsed basmati rice to the pan. Pour in water and season with salt and red chili flakes, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, cover the pan and let the rice simmer for 15 minutes until tender and fluffy.
- To ensure perfectly cooked rice, wrap the lid with a kitchen towel to seal the pot, allowing the rice to steam and absorb all the delicious flavors. This is the best tip I learned from my mom and this technique is very popular for cooking rice across South Asia.

Za'atar Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
Ingredients for za’atar chicken
- 1 lb chicken thighs chopped in medium pieces
- 2 tablespoon yogurt
- 1 tablespoon zaatar seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon all spice
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon each fresh chopped cilantro and parsley
- ¾ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ of a lime or lemon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Ingredients for rice pilaf
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red onion sliced
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ teaspoon all spice pinch
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric pinch
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
- 1 ½ cup basmati rice you can increase the quantity
- 3 cups water
- ¾ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon red chilli flakes
Ingredients for garlic yogurt drip
- ½ cup Greek yogurt or labneh
- 3-4 minced garlic cloves
- Squeeze of lemon or lime
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Mix the yogurt marinade in a bowl and let the chicken marinate for as long as you can up to 24 hours.
- Thread through wooden skewers and air fry at 400 F for 15 mins flipping halfway through (or until your desired doneness)
- For rice, heat a pan with oil and sauté onion till translucent then add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds till fragrant.
- Add parsley, all spice and turmeric (add a touch of water so the spices don’t burn).
- Next add the rinsed basmati rice, give a quick stir then add water. Add salt and chilli flake and let the water come to a boil then cook covered for 15 mins.
- After 15 minutes, wrap the lid with a kitchen towel to seal the pot. This will allow the rice to steam and cook to perfection, about 10-15 more minutes, then turn off the stove.
- Add the cooked and charred chicken skewers straight in the pot and serve with the garlic yogurt dip.
- *If serving a little later just add the chicken skewers and keep the lid with the cloth on.
- For the dip mix all the ingredients in a bowl and serve.
SHERON VIRANI
I love this recipe - it has set the foundation for my cooking!! I love all your recipes in general and have given a ton of them a try. Ur cooking queen!
Rookie With A Cookie
Thank you for the kind words Sheron!
Nanajee Travels
This Za'atar Chicken and Rice dish sounds like a dream come true for chicken and rice lovers! 🍗🍚 The tangy za'atar seasoning and the blend of fresh and dried herbs must create such a flavorful and aromatic experience. 😍 Middle Eastern flavors always bring something special, and this recipe sounds like it hits all the right notes! 🌿✨
Lira
This has been a part of our rotation of dinners! We love it! 😊
Anj Sood
It was delicious! My kids and husband enjoyed it very much. Thank you.
Rookie With A Cookie
Thanks for the review Anj! Really appreciate this 🙂
Daniya Umer
This has become a staple in our home! Love it
Natasha
Wow! My family loves this so much. The flavor of allspice comes through beautifully. The chicken pairs really well with this rice. We add sliced almonds to the rice for texture. Thank you for this yummy recipe.
Rookie With A Cookie
Almonds is such a great addition to the rice, thanks for sharing!
Zainab
I've made this so many times and it always hits the spot! Thank you for creating such fool proof recipes!
Rookie With A Cookie
Thank you for the review Zainab! It's honestly your trust that makes me want to keep experimenting in the kitchen.
Matilde
How long do I bake in oven if I don't have an air fryer?
Rookie With A Cookie
You can bake it at 400F and flip halfway through.
M
Man I remember you back in the old days with the seekh kebab video on YouTube. It’s still a classic and I’m so glad to see you continue making cooking videos.
Rookie With A Cookie
thanks for being here 🙂
Erika
Great recipe! Saw this on Instagram and had to try it. Will definitely be adding to my weeknight rotation. I like a little spiciness, so I added ground cayenne. You can try with 1/4–1/2 tsp for a 1-2 out of 5 level of spiciness.
Rookie With A Cookie
Thanks for sharing!:)
Donna
This dish is amazing!! My husband requested it for his birthday dinner and it was perfect!! Yummmmm!!!
Nazema
Just made this dish. Delicious! very versatile if you have dietary restrictions it’s easy to modify without compromising on taste. Also do not own an air fryer but the oven did the job with 400F on convection using less time and did not cut the chicken.
Thank you so much. Will be on my meal rotation.
Rookie With A Cookie
So happy to hear I have another fan of this recipe. Thanks for the review Nazema!
Taiba
So for stop number 5 to boil and cook the rice covered, what should the heat level be?
Rookie With A Cookie
Low setting is ideal
Arvah Numberdar
Any substitution for all spice which is used in marination?
Rookie With A Cookie
Hi Arvah, all spice has notes that mimic nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. So I’d say too add those spices in a very small quantity. If it’s still too much, I’d recommend you at least add a 1/4 tsp nutmeg or a garam masala. Hope this helps.
Faiza
Hi
Whats the ingredient all spice used in chicken marination?
Where to get it from?
Thanks
Rookie With A Cookie
Hi Faiza, allspice berries are called pimento which is a single spice, not to confuse with the all-spice blend that is a mix of multiple spices. Hope this helps!
Karen
Wow! I made this dish last night and my family loved it! So much flavor. A fabulous departure from my regular boring dinners. Thank you!
Rookie With A Cookie
Thank you so much for the wonderful review Karen! Really happy you enjoyed this.