Sheet Pan Za'atar Chicken with Roasted Chickpeas

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs and crunchy roasted chickpeas are infused with aromatic za'atar spices and roasted together for an easy, flavorful Mediterranean meal. This middle eastern-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, canned chickpeas, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Middle Eastern cuisine 450 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, toss 6 bone-in chicken thighs with 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp za'atar spice blend, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Spread the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side up on a large rimmed baking sheet. In the same bowl, toss 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed chickpeas with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Scatter the chickpeas around the chicken on the baking sheet.
  3. Step 3: Roast in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until the chicken skin is golden and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The chickpeas should be crunchy and slightly browned.
  4. Step 4: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve the chicken and roasted chickpeas with fresh lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sheet Pan Za'atar Chicken with Roasted Chickpeas take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Sheet Pan Za'atar Chicken with Roasted Chickpeas?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sheet Pan Za'atar Chicken with Roasted Chickpeas?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Sheet Pan Za'atar Chicken with Roasted Chickpeas for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Sheet Pan Za'atar Chicken with Roasted Chickpeas?

Middle Eastern chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes