Hazzah! Za'atar is Here!
- Cynthia Schmits
- Jul 27
- 2 min read
Posted by Sideways Kitchen | 3-4 min. read
It’s tangy. It’s nutty. It’s bold. It’s Sideways. We’re spicing up the kitchen once again, Chef-style—with a Middle Eastern classic that just got the Sideways Kitchen salt-free makeover. Introducing our newest blend: Za’atar Seasoning Blend.
If you haven’t met her yet, allow us to introduce her properly: She’s earthy, aromatic, and layered with sumac tang, toasted sesame nuttiness, and the warmth of thyme and oregano. She’s the kind of seasoning that brings flatbreads to life, transforms yogurt into magic, and makes roasted veggies taste like they were blessed by the seasoning gods themselves.
Why Za’atar, Why Now?
Everyone is looking for different flavors to their foods—you’ve been asking for bold, global flavors without the salt. And we listened.
This blend is more than a seasoning—it’s a flavor passport. Created for families juggling wellness goals, picky eaters, our Za’atar is salt-free, deeply layered, and totally versatile. Whether you’re sprinkling it on avocado toast, tossing it with roasted cauliflower, or stirring it into olive oil for a quick dip—Za’atar says, “let’s make this interesting.”
The Sideways Twist
At Sideways Kitchen, we don’t just make seasonings—we craft flavor moments out of chaos. (Remember how Sideways Kitchen got its name? A little boy with toy cars and trains zipping across the kitchen floor while his mom turned the mess into magic.)
This Za’atar blend was born on one of those beautifully chaotic days—with a toddler tugging at our apron, a dinner that needed saving, and a craving for something different. We sprinkled it, tasted it, and said out loud: “This one’s staying.”
Get It While It’s Hot (Well, Toasted) 🔥
✨ Click here to buy Za’atar now
Shop the Blend✨—salt-free, full of soul.✨ Only at Sideways Kitchen, where the heart of every home is the kitchen ❤
Chef’s Favorite Ways to Use Za’atar
🫓 Drizzle warm pita with olive oil, sprinkle generously, and warm in the oven🍗 Rub onto chicken thighs before roasting with lemon and garlic🥒 Swirl into Greek yogurt with a squeeze of lemon for a quick dip🥗 Sprinkle on cucumber-tomato salads with a dash of vinegar🍠 Toss with sweet potatoes before air-frying for a crispy, herby bite
Pro Tip: Try it on popcorn. Trust us.
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From our Sideways heart to yours—keep cooking with love. And if you’re not cooking with love... don’t do it. The ❤ won’t be tasted.
1
Chicken
You can substitute a whole chicken for chicken pieces, or chicken kababs
2
Tenting your chicken/resting
Tenting is also known as resting. We tent our chicken to retain its moisture and heat. This results in a juicier chicken, and it also continues to give you your final cook time.
Notes



1
Preheat oven to 450 degrees, and line a large baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
Place chicken, backbone side up, on baking sheet
Using kitchen Shears, cut along each side of backbone; remove & discard backbone (or keep and freeze for chicken soup).
Turn chicken breast side-up, with both hands, push on breast bone to flatten chicken.
Season chicken with garlic and onion powder on both sides.
Breast side up, roast chicken 40 - 45 minutes (rotate pan 1/2 way through), or until a thermometer inserted registers 140 degrees.



2
Remove chicken.
Baste your chicken, vigorously with drippings.
Add your Sideways Seasoning, Za'atar blend.
Return chicken to oven, and roast until a thermometer registers 155 degrees - this should be approx. 10 -15 min. (Note - every oven is different).



3
Remove chicken and let rest with a tin tent (aluminum foil) for 10 -15 min.
Carve chicken and serve.
Instructions
1 whole chicken (cleaned & patted dried)
3 tbls. Sideways Seasoning Za'atar Blend
black pepper
garlic powder
onion powder
fresh thyme or rosemary for garnish
Za'atar Roasted Chicken

Za'atar Roasted Chicken
Owner Sideways Kitchen
Chef Cynthia

Golden, juicy, and bursting with bold Middle Eastern flavors, this Za'atar Roasted Chicken is a Sideways Kitchen summer stunner.
Generously seasoned with our handcrafted Sideways Seasonings Za'atar Blend, each bite is a celebration of earthy herbs, and a citrusy taste.
Whether you're entertaining on the patio or serving up a weeknight dinner with flair, this recipe brings bold flavor, color, and comfort to the table.
Servings :
4 Servings
Calories:
Prep
20 Min.
Cooking Time
2 Hrs. 20 Min.
Rest Time
15 min
Total Time
2 Hrs. 35 Min.
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