Crispy Za’atar Chicken and Cauliflower

There’s nothing wrong with falling back on the usual dinner staples to save time and effort. But Meseidy Rivera’s cookbook, Weeknight Gourmet Dinners, is showing us that switching it up can make any Tuesday night feel special, and you barely have to lift a finger. Take her recipe for crispy za’atar chicken and cauliflower as proof.

“Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend of dried herbs, sesame seeds and sumac,” Rivera writes. “It’s very savory and aromatic, and I recommend everyone add it to their pantry.”

“These chicken thighs are seasoned with za’atar and roasted with cauliflower, red onion, lemons and whole garlic until the chicken is tender and the skin is crispy,” she continues. “You put everything on a sheet pan, rub it with seasonings and toss it in the oven. It is a full Middle Eastern–inspired meal.”

Served with basmati rice, warm naan bread or some roasted sweet potatoes, it’s a weeknight dinner dream.

_{Reprinted with permission from Weeknight Gourmet Dinners by Meseidy Rivera, Page Street Publishing Co. 2020.}

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