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Beirut Bazaar Za'atar Chicken Crunch Bowl

Beirut Bazaar Za'atar Chicken Crunch Bowl

Fasten your seatbelts, because tonight we are touching down in the vibrant souks of Lebanon without ever leaving the kitchen! This insanely crunchy, bright, and deeply savory bowl breathes new life into leftover rotisserie chicken with a warm za'atar toss and a pomegranate molasses dressing that you will want to drink straight from the mason jar.

Chef Mira Lin
Chef Mira Lin
Prep: 13 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
2
easy
saladlunchdinner
mediterranean30-minute-mealsno-cook-proteinhealthy+1

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Timeline

21 minutes
0m10m20m
Chop the Veggies
8m
Shake the Dressing
2m
Warm Za'atar Chicken
5m
Prep Herbs & Crunch
3m
Assemble the Bowls
3m

Ingredients

  • 3 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded(Store-bought is perfect; light or dark meat both work)
  • 1 tbsp za'atar spice blend(Ensure it's fresh for maximum fragrance)
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil(Divided: 1 tbsp for chicken, 2 tbsp for dressing)
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce(Chopped into bite-sized pieces)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes(Halved)
  • 1 cup Persian cucumbers(Diced)
  • 1/2 cup radishes(Thinly sliced for ultimate crunch)
  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas(Rinsed and drained well)
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves(Roughly torn, do not skip these!)
  • 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley(Roughly chopped)
  • 1 cup pita chips(Store-bought, roughly crushed)
  • 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses(The secret weapon for sweet-tart depth)
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice(Freshly squeezed only)
  • 1 tsp sumac(Adds a beautiful citrusy zing)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper(Freshly cracked)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Clear your cutting board—or as I call it, your departure gate! Chop 2 cups romaine lettuce, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1 cup Persian cucumbers, and thinly slice 1/2 cup radishes.

    8 min

    Tip: Keep the radishes in ice water if you want them extra snappy.

  2. 2

    Grab your trusty mason jar. Add 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp sumac, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Fasten the lid and shake it aggressively until fully emulsified!

    2 min

    Tip: If your pomegranate molasses is very thick, let it sit at room temp for a few minutes before shaking.

  3. 3

    In a medium skillet over medium heat, warm 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. Add 3 cups rotisserie chicken and 1 tbsp za'atar spice blend. Toss constantly just until the chicken is warmed through and the spices smell incredibly fragrant.

    5 min

    Tip: We aren't cooking the chicken, just waking up those complex Middle Eastern spices.

  4. 4

    While the chicken warms on the stove, drain and rinse 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas. Roughly tear 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves and chop 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley. Give 1 cup pita chips a rough crush with your hands directly into a small bowl.

    3 min

    Tip: Tearing the mint rather than chopping prevents it from bruising and turning black.

  5. 5

    Build your bowls! Start with a bed of the chopped romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, and radishes. Pile high with the chickpeas and warm za'atar chicken. Shower the entire bowl with your massive handfuls of fresh herbs and crushed pita chips, then generously drizzle that glorious shaken pomegranate dressing all over.

    3 min

    Tip: Dress the bowl right before eating to keep those pita chips perfectly crunchy.

Chef's Notes

Years ago, wandering through the ancient streets of Byblos, the scent of toasted za'atar and fresh mint completely rewired my brain. This bowl is my love letter to that memory. Don't skimp on those fresh herbs; they aren't a garnish here, they are the main event! The vibrant acids and massive handfuls of mint are your express ticket to flavor town.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Beirut Bazaar Za'atar Chicken Crunch Bowl take to make?

Beirut Bazaar Za'atar Chicken Crunch Bowl takes about 18 minutes total. That includes 13 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 2 servings.

What skill level is needed for Beirut Bazaar Za'atar Chicken Crunch Bowl?

This recipe is rated easy — it's beginner-friendly and straightforward.

What ingredients do I need for Beirut Bazaar Za'atar Chicken Crunch Bowl?

The main ingredients are: rotisserie chicken, shredded, za'atar spice blend, extra virgin olive oil, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, Persian cucumbers, radishes, chickpeas, fresh mint leaves, fresh flat-leaf parsley, pita chips, pomegranate molasses, fresh lemon juice, sumac, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper.

What type of meal is Beirut Bazaar Za'atar Chicken Crunch Bowl?

Beirut Bazaar Za'atar Chicken Crunch Bowl is categorized as: salad, lunch, dinner.