Roasted Za’atar Chicken

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Ingredients:

• 1 (4 lb.) whole chicken

• olive oil

• 1 tbsp + 1 tsp salt

• 2 tbsp + 1 tsp za’atar

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• 1 tbsp minced garlic

• 1/2 tsp red chili flakes

• 1/2 black pepper

• zest of 1 lemon

• 1 tbsp chopped parsley/cilantro

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Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

2. Spatchcock the chicken - using kitchen scissors, cut along each side of the chicken backbone and remove it. Turn the chicken breast side up and press on the breastbone to flatten the chicken. (You can also ask your butcher to do this step for you).

3. Place the chicken , skin side up, on a baking tray and make sure it is completely dry.

4. Drizzle the chicken generously with olive oil, then use a brush to make sure the entire chicken is coated in oil.

5. Sprinkle the chicken generously with 1 tbsp of salt and 2 tbsp of za’atar.

6. Place the chicken in the oven for 35 minutes.

7. While the chicken is roasting, make the cream sauce by mixing together cream, garlic, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp za’atar, red chili flakes, lemon zest and fresh herbs in a small bowl.

8. Remove from the oven and generously lather the chicken with all of the sauce. Place the chicken back in the oven and cook for another 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temp of the thigh reaches 160 degrees.

9. Remove the chicken from the oven and let rest for at least 10 minutes before carving.