Pan-Seared Chicken with Sumac and Toasted Za'atar

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-30 · Updated 2026-07-30

Pan-seared and seasoned with tangy sumac and aromatic toasted za'atar, served with a side of lemony garlic yogurt sauce. This Middle Eastern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, sumac, za'atar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 pieces, about 6 oz each chicken breasts
• 2 tsp sumac
• 2 tbsp za'atar
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1, minced garlic clove
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 chicken breasts and season both sides with 2 tsp sumac, 1 tbsp za'atar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
3. Step 3: While the chicken cooks, combine 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbsp za'atar, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley in a bowl; mix well and season with a pinch of salt.
4. Step 4: Remove chicken from skillet and rest for 5 minutes. Serve each breast with a generous spoonful of the lemony garlic yogurt sauce.