Musakhan (chicken with onions and sumac)
Nutrition per serving
The signature Palestinian dish: chicken roasted on a bed of sumac-spiced slow-cooked onions, served on bread. Tangy, fragrant and sociable, it is a complete, high-protein dish.
Prep time: 20 min | Cook time: 45 min | Servings: 4 | Difficulty: Easy
Calculated per portion from Anses Ciqual 2025 values for each ingredient, based on the quantities in the list. Household measures (spoonfuls, pieces) use average weights. 497 kcal · 40 g protein · 14 g carbohydrate · 30 g fat
Ingredients
Method
- Slowly cook the sliced onions with the sumac until soft and sweet.
- Roast the chicken in the oven.
- Arrange the bread, sumac onions and chicken.
- Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts.
Nutritional benefits
Chicken provides lean protein, the onions (a large quantity, slow-cooked) fibre and antioxidants, and the sumac a characteristic fruity tang without fat. The pine nuts add good fats. A complete, sociable Palestinian dish, balanced if you remove the chicken skin.
Variations and substitutions
- With pitta breads or tortillas.
- With skinless chicken (lighter).
- With almonds instead of pine nuts.
- Served as individual wraps.
Storage and making ahead
Keeps for 2 days; reheat in the oven. The slow-cooked onions can be made ahead.
💡 Good to know
Sumac (a tangy spice) is the soul of musakhan: it flavours the slow-cooked onions and gives the dish its red colour.
Related reading
Discover more high-protein recipes · healthy & balanced recipes.
The foods in this recipe: chicken thighs · onions · sumac · breads · pine nuts.
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