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Black Pepper-Cumin Chicken and Onion Traybake
This baking-sheet dinner was inspired by musakhan, a Palestinian chicken and onion dish seasoned with sumac and warm spices. The broiler makes quick, easy work of cooking while also delivering flavorful browning. The onions, arranged under the chicken thighs, char in spots and release moisture as they cook; their juices, combined with the chicken’s, form a sauce to drizzle on at the end, keeping the dish moist and succulent. Slice the onions about ½ inch thick so they soften but retain some texture. Taboon bread is a traditional component of musakhan, but serve this with any type of soft flatbread.
4 to 6
Servings
Tip
Don’t trim the chicken thighs of fat. The fat adds flavor and helps with browning. Also, don’t use a broiler pan for this. The larger surface area of a rimmed baking sheet (about 13 by 18 inches) is necessary for the onions and chicken to cook at the correct rate.
40 minutes
Ingredients
-
¼
cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to serve
-
2
tablespoons ground sumac, plus more to serve
Directions
-
01Heat the broiler with a rack positioned about 6 inches from the element. In a large bowl, stir together the oil, sumac, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Add the chicken and onions; toss to coat, rubbing the seasonings into the meat. Transfer to a broiler-safe rimmed baking sheet, then distribute in an even layer, placing the chicken on top of the onions. Broil for 10 minutes, then, using tongs, flip the chicken pieces. Broil until the chicken is well browned, charred at the edges and no longer pink when cut into with a knife, about another 10 minutes.
Reviews
October 6, 2025
Wow so flavorful and delicious!
I love being surprised with new dishes. The flavor profile in this simple chicken and onion tray bake is so delicious and different. My family loved it. The melty onions and toasted pine nuts were just right. I made naan to go with it but I'd love to find a Taboon bread recipe to try next time I make this.
March 11, 2025
4. 5 pounds of chicken disappeared in one meal
This one was surprisingly popular with my family. With about 4. 5 pounds of chicken (three trays of thighs) and 3 onions I multiplied all of the spice rub ingredients by 1. 5x and it worked out pretty well. I served this with the recommended toasted pine nuts as well as a yogurt sauce.
February 3, 2025
I love this type of street food!
This is a quick and flavorful dish that is easily whipped up for a weeknight meal. The spices make the chicken so flavorful and delicious and is better than the gyros meals we regularly get. It's a real weeknight treat!
December 11, 2024
Delicious!
Easy and tasty! I had never cooked with sumac before and had to visit a spice shop to get it, but the flavor was incredible. Served this with a za'atar and kale salad. Will definitely make again.
November 18, 2024
On our “make again” list
Easy to make and very good.
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