Name: Crispy za'atar chicken pilaf with pomegranate
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 8 skin-on chicken thighs -; 3 tbsp olive oil -; 2 garlic cloves, crushed -; 1 lemon, juiced -; 3 tbsp za’atar -; 70g pomegranate seeds -; ½ small bunch of parsley, finely chopped -; 1 tbsp olive oil -; 50g butter -; 2 large onions, sliced -; 220g basmati rice -; 350ml hot chicken stock -; 70g pistachios, chopped -; 1 tsp chilli flakes -

Ingredients for - Crispy za'atar chicken pilaf with pomegranate

1. 8 skin-on chicken thighs

2. 3 tbsp olive oil

3. 2 garlic cloves, crushed

4. 1 lemon, juiced

5. 3 tbsp za’atar

6. 70g pomegranate seeds

7. ½ small bunch of parsley, finely chopped

8. 1 tbsp olive oil

9. 50g butter

10. 2 large onions, sliced

11. 220g basmati rice

12. 350ml hot chicken stock

13. 70g pistachios, chopped

14. 1 tsp chilli flakes

How to cook deliciously - Crispy za'atar chicken pilaf with pomegranate

1 . Stage

Toss together the chicken thighs oil, 1 tsp salt, garlic and lemon juice in a large bowl. Cover and chill for at least 1 hr, or up to 12 hrs.

2 . Stage

Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4, and heat a frying pan over a high heat. Fry the chicken, skin-side down, for 5-7 mins, or until golden and crisp. Transfer to a baking tray and sprinkle with the za’atar, then roast for 10 mins.

3 . Stage

For the rice, heat the oil and butter in a large, shallow casserole or frying pan over a low-medium heat. Fry the onions with a pinch of salt for 15 mins until caramelised and sticky. Stir in the rice, stock, pistachios and chilli flakes. Season. Arrange the roasted chicken thighs on top of the rice, and pour over any roasting juices from the tray. Cook in the oven for 45 mins, or until the rice is tender. Remove from the oven, cover and rest for 5 mins.

4 . Stage

Scatter the chicken pilaf with the pomegranate seeds and parsley, then serve in shallow bowls.