Palestinian Chicken

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes

• Marination Time: 2 hours (or overnight for deeper flavor)

• Cooking Time: 45 minutes

• Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes

• Servings: 4

• Difficulty / Intensity: 🌟 Medium

• Cuisine: Palestinian / Middle Eastern

• Course: Main Course, Dinner

---

🍗 Introduction

Palestinian Chicken is a celebration of heritage and flavor. Known locally as Dajaj bil Toum wal Limon (chicken with garlic and lemon), this dish reflects the heart of Palestinian home cooking — simple ingredients elevated by aromatic spices and time-honored techniques.

Marinated in a fragrant blend of garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and warm Middle Eastern spices like cumin, coriander, and allspice, the chicken becomes tender and deeply flavorful. When roasted or baked, the skin turns golden and crisp, while the inside remains juicy and infused with the zesty marinade.

Whether served with rice, roasted vegetables, or warm flatbread, this Palestinian Chicken dish brings a taste of the Levant straight to your kitchen.

---

🥘 Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 1 whole chicken (about 1.5 kg / 3 lbs), cut into pieces

• 6 cloves garlic, minced

• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil

• 2 lemons, juiced (about 4 tablespoons juice)

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon ground coriander

• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric

• ½ teaspoon ground allspice

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

• 1 tablespoon plain yogurt (optional — helps tenderize chicken)

For Roasting:

• 1 onion, sliced into rings

• 1 lemon, sliced thin

• 1 cup chicken broth or water

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for drizzling)

For Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped

• Toasted pine nuts or almonds (optional but traditional)

---

🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

1. In a large bowl, combine minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, spices, salt, and yogurt (if using).

2. Mix until a smooth marinade forms.

3. Add the chicken pieces, coating each one thoroughly.

4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight for deeper flavor absorption.

Intensity Level: 🟢 Easy – Mostly mixing ingredients.

---

Step 2: Prepare for Roasting

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C / 400°F.

2. In a large baking dish or roasting pan, arrange onion slices and lemon slices as a bed for the chicken.

3. Place the marinated chicken pieces on top, skin side up.

4. Pour 1 cup of chicken broth or water into the bottom of the dish to keep the chicken moist.

5. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil over the top for crisp, golden skin.

Intensity Level: 🟡 Moderate – Requires handling raw chicken and layering ingredients.

---

Step 3: Roast the Chicken

1. Place the dish in the preheated oven and roast for 40–45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.

2. Baste the chicken halfway through with its own juices for extra flavor.

3. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover it with foil for the last 10 minutes.

Check for doneness: Internal temperature should reach 75°C / 165°F, and the juices should run clear.

Intensity Level: 🟡 Moderate – Monitoring and basting required.

---

Step 4: Rest and Serve

1. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.

2. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and toasted pine nuts or almonds for garnish.

3. Serve hot with your choice of sides.

---

🍚 Serving Suggestions

Palestinian Chicken pairs beautifully with:

• Maqluba (upside-down rice with vegetables) – a traditional Palestinian favorite.

• Simple white rice with toasted vermicelli noodles.

• Freekeh (roasted green wheat) – smoky and high in protein.

• Tabbouleh salad or fattoush – adds freshness and acidity.

• Warm pita bread or flatbread – perfect for soaking up the juices.

---

🧂 Pro Tips for the Perfect Palestinian Chicken

1. Marinate Overnight: The longer you marinate, the more flavorful and tender the chicken becomes.

2. Use Bone-In Chicken: This helps keep the meat moist and infuses more flavor into the dish.

3. Balance Lemon and Garlic: Palestinian cuisine values harmony — too much lemon can overpower the spices, so taste your marinade before adding all the juice.

4. Don’t Skip the Olive Oil: Palestinian olive oil is prized for its richness; it’s key to the authentic taste.

5. Roast with Onion and Lemon Slices: They infuse sweetness and tang that flavor the chicken from beneath.

---

💪 Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Nutrition values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

---

🧭 Recipe Timing and Intensity Breakdown

Total: ~3 hours (including marination)
Overall Intensity: 🌟 Medium – A hands-on yet achievable dish for home cooks.

---

🌿 Cultural Significance

Palestinian Chicken is more than just a meal — it’s a reflection of Palestinian hospitality and tradition. Across villages from Ramallah to Hebron, this dish is often served for family gatherings, Eid celebrations, and Sunday lunches. The scent of garlic, lemon, and olive oil wafting through a home is a symbol of warmth and welcome.

In Palestine, the chicken is sometimes cooked in a taboon oven — a traditional clay oven that gives it a unique smoky flavor. The dish’s simplicity, paired with high-quality local ingredients, represents the heart of Palestinian cooking: respect for the land, family, and food made with care.

---

🍋 Variations

• Palestinian Chicken with Sumac: Add 1 tablespoon of sumac to the marinade for a tangy, vibrant twist — a nod to the famous Musakhan dish.

• Grilled Version: Grill marinated chicken pieces over charcoal for a smoky, outdoor flavor.

• Potato & Onion Base: Layer thin slices of potato and onion under the chicken before baking — they’ll absorb the juices and turn incredibly flavorful.

• Spicy Variation: Add a pinch of chili flakes or Aleppo pepper for gentle heat.

---

🧤 Storage and Reheating Tips

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

• Reheat: Warm in an oven at 180°C / 350°F for 10–15 minutes until heated through.

• Freeze: You can freeze marinated raw chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before cooking.

---

🌟 Final Thoughts

Palestinian Chicken embodies the essence of Middle Eastern home cooking — humble ingredients transformed by tradition, patience, and love. The combination of lemon, garlic, and spices creates a depth of flavor that’s unforgettable. It’s a dish that tells a story: one of family tables, olive groves, and generations of cooks preserving their heritage.

Serve it to your family or guests, and you’ll instantly feel transported to a Palestinian kitchen, where food is always shared with open hearts and full plates.