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Musakhan

A traditional Palestinian dish featuring spice-rubbed roasted chicken served over flatbread with tangy sumac-infused onions, perfect for communal gatherings.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Middle Eastern, Palestinian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 750 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken

  • 4 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs and/or drumsticks, about 2 lbs or 900 g)
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 tbsp ground sumac
  • 1 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

For the Sumac Onions and Assembly

  • 6 large yellow onions (about 1 kg), thinly sliced
  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (use the best quality)
  • 3 tbsp ground sumac, plus more for garnish
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts or slivered almonds, toasted
  • 4 large flatbreads (Naan, thick pita, or Markook/Taboon bread)

For Serving

  • Plain whole-milk yogurt (Greek yogurt is great)
  • Fresh lemon wedges
  • Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions
 

Roast the Chicken

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the chicken pieces dry.
  • In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp olive oil with 1 tsp salt, black pepper, 1 tsp sumac, allspice, and cinnamon. Rub the mixture thoroughly over the chicken.
  • Arrange the chicken pieces skin-side up on a baking sheet. Roast for 45–55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is deeply golden brown and crisp.

Cook the Sumac Onions (While Chicken Roasts)

  • Pour the remaining 3/4 cup of olive oil into a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and 1/2 tsp salt.
  • Cook, stirring occasionally, for 25–35 minutes, until the onions soften completely and turn translucent, becoming jammy and slightly sweet.
  • Once the onions are soft, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the remaining 2 tbsp sumac and cumin until fully coated.

Toast Nuts and Assemble

  • In a small, dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts or almonds for 2–4 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Set aside.
  • Remove the chicken from the oven and pour the flavorful chicken juices from the roasting pan into the skillet with the sumac onions.
  • Brush a generous amount of the onion-infused olive oil over one side of each flatbread.
  • Place the oiled flatbreads on a baking sheet and broil for 1–2 minutes until slightly crisp but still soft in the center.
  • Assemble the dish by placing the warm flatbread on a large serving platter, ladling a generous layer of sumac onions over the bread, topping with a piece of roasted chicken, and sprinkling with toasted nuts, chopped parsley, and an extra dusting of sumac.

Notes

This dish can be made ahead of time, as both the chicken and onions can be prepared in advance. Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
Keyword Chicken, flatbread, musakhan, roasted chicken, Sumac