Main Course · Dinner · Middle Eastern ·

Aromatic Palestinian Musakhan with Sumac-Spiced Chicken and Onions

Name: Aromatic Palestinian Musakhan with Sumac-Spiced Chicken and Onions
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 160 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on; Olive oil, 3 tablespoons; Sumac, 2 tablespoons; Allspice, 1 teaspoon; Cinnamon, 1 teaspoon; Salt and pepper, to taste; 2 large onions, thinly sliced; Olive oil, 4 tablespoons; Sumac, 2 tablespoons; Salt, to taste; Taboon bread or flatbread, 4 pieces; Olive oil, for brushing

Enjoy the rich flavors of Palestine with this delicious Musakhan recipe featuring succulent sumac-spiced chicken and caramelized onions on fluffy flatbread.

4.3(546 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 17, 2025

Aromatic Palestinian Musakhan with Sumac-Spiced Chicken and Onions — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

40 min

Cook

2 h

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Chicken Marinade

For the Onion Topping

For the Bread

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 675 kcal
Protein: 23 g
Carbs: 45.25 g
Fat: 43 g
Fiber: 4 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2700 kcal
Protein: 92 g
Carbs: 181 g
Fat: 172 g
Fiber: 16 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on	800	64	0	56	0
Olive oil 3 tablespoons	360	0	0	40	0
Sumac 2 tablespoons	14	1	3	0	1.5
Allspice 1 teaspoon	6	0	1	0	0.5
Cinnamon 1 teaspoon	6	0	2	0	1
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
2 large onions thinly sliced	100	2	24	0	4
Olive oil 4 tablespoons	480	0	0	53	0
Sumac 2 tablespoons	14	1	3	0	1.5
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Taboon bread or flatbread 4 pieces	800	24	148	10	8
Olive oil for brushing	120	0	0	13	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Chicken

1
Combine marinade ingredients
In a bowl, combine olive oil, sumac, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
2
Coat the chicken
Add chicken thighs and coat them well, ensuring they are fully covered with the marinade.
3
Marinate
Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Tip: Ensure chicken is fully thawed before marinating to absorb the spices well.

Preparing the Onions

1
Heat oil
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2
Sauté onions
Add sliced onions and sauté until soft.
Tip: Use a sharp knife to slice onions uniformly for even cooking.
3
Caramelize
Sprinkle sumac and a pinch of salt, and continue cooking until onions are caramelized.

How to Make Aromatic Palestinian Musakhan with Sumac-Spiced Chicken and Onions

Total time: 2 h 40 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Bake the Chicken
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake marinated chicken for 30-40 minutes until cooked through and skin is crispy.
2
Assemble the Musakhan
Place baked chicken on flatbread, top with caramelized onions, and brush edges with olive oil.
3
Final Bake
Return assembled dish to the oven for 5-7 minutes to heat through.