Lemon-Za'atar Chicken with Herbed Garlic Yogurt

1. Prepare the Marinade

In a large bowl or container, combine 5 grated garlic cloves, half of the lemon zest, 1/3 cup of yogurt, the chopped cilantro, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1.5 tablespoons of za’atar, the chopped oregano or marjoram, 1.75 teaspoons of salt, and 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper. Give it a good stir until everything is well combined and fragrant.

2. Marinate the Chicken

Add the chicken thighs to the bowl, tossing them in the marinade until they are well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight.

3. Cook the Chicken

Preheat your grill or broiler to high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess. Grill or broil the chicken thighs for about 5 to 8 minutes on each side, until they have charred spots and are just cooked through.

4. Prepare the Yogurt Sauce

In a small bowl, stir together the remaining 2/3 cup of yogurt, 1 grated garlic clove, the remaining lemon zest, a pinch of salt, and a dash of black pepper.

5. Serve the Dish

To serve, halve the zested lemons and arrange the chicken on a platter. Drizzle the chicken with a bit of extra-virgin olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Garnish with additional cilantro and oregano or marjoram sprigs. Serve the chicken with the herbed garlic yogurt sauce on the side, and sprinkle a bit more za’atar over everything if desired.