Lebanese 7 Spice Chicken
Juicy oven-baked chicken with warm Middle Eastern flavors
If you're looking for an easy way to bring Middle Eastern flavor into your kitchen, this Lebanese 7-spice chicken is a great place to start. With just a handful of ingredients, the oven does most of the work while the chicken roasts until tender and golden. This isn't a classic, traditional recipe — it's one of the ways I love bringing international flavor to my own table. That warm blend of Lebanese 7-spice, plus roasted onions, garlic, and a touch of lemon, makes the chicken pop in a way that's always a crowd-pleaser at my house, and it's just as easy for a weeknight as it is for guests
Why you’ll love this recipe.
Minimal prep time and mostly hands off cooking.
Beginner friendly, made with just a few ingredients.
Family friendly with warm, mild spices. Delicious enough for entertaining.
What is Lebanese 7 Spice Chicken?
Lebanese cuisine is known for transforming simple ingredients into deeply flavorful meals through the use of herbs and spice blends. One of the most iconic seasonings is Lebanese 7 Spice, known locally as Baharat. Despite the name, the exact blend varies from family to family and may contain more than seven spices. Common ingredients include black pepper, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, and ginger.
Rather than creating heat, Lebanese 7 Spice adds warmth, aroma, and depth to meats, soups, rice dishes, and stews. It’s considered staple in many Lebanese kitchens and is often compared to the role that garam masala plays in Indian cooking.
This recipe lets the spice blend shine while keeping the preparation wonderfully simple. The chicken comes out juicy and tender with beautifully crisp, golden skin. As it roasts, the onions soften and become naturally sweet, while the garlic turns mellow and fragrant. The Lebanese 7 Spice creates a warm, slightly earthy flavor with hints of cinnamon, black pepper, and allspice that make the kitchen smell incredible while the chicken bakes.
Ingredient spotlight.
Chicken drumsticks or thighs are ideal for this recipe. Dark meat stays juicy during roasting and develops beautifully crisp skin. Bone-in, skin-on pieces also produce flavorful juices that combine with the onions and garlic to create a delicious natural pan sauce.
Lebanese 7 Spice is the heart of the recipe. Depending on the brand, you’ll often taste notes of cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, nutmeg, coriander, cloves, or ginger.
Garlic mellows its sharpness and adds sweetness to the pan juices while roasting.
Onion underneath the chicken, softens and absorbs the flavorful drippings, becoming incredibly delicious.
Lemon juice brightens the rich spices and balances the savory flavors.
Easy ingredient swaps.
No Lebanese 7 Spice? You can make a simple substitute by combining:
1 teaspoon of each: cinnamon, cumin, and coriander
¼ teaspoon of each: black pepper, allspice, ground cloves, and nutmeg
Instead of parsley you can use fresh cilantro or fresh mint.
Beginner tips for success.
The small amount of water creates a gentle steam during the first part of baking, helping keep the chicken moist while preventing the onions and garlic from burning. As the water evaporates, the chicken skin begins to crisp and brown naturallly. Finishing the chicken under the broiler adds the final layer of golden color and crispness without overcooking the meat.
What to serve with Lebanese 7 Spice Chicken.
This chicken pairs beautifully with many Middle Eastern-inspired sides
Lebanese Lemon Garlic Potatoes (Batata Harra)
White or basmati rice
Warm pita bread
Garlic yogurt sauce
Tzatziki
Cucumber tomato salad
Fattoush
Roasted Vegetables
Make it a complete meal.
For a simple Indian inspired vegetarian family dinner:
Main: Lebanese 7 Spice Chicken
Side: Lebanese Lemon Garlic Potatoes
Salad: Fattoush or Cucumber tomato salad
Dessert: Fresh watermelon, grapes, or seasonal fruit
Easy Lebanese 7 Spice Chicken
This Easy Lebanese 7 Spice Chicken is an oven-baked recipe featuring juicy chicken, aromatic Lebanese 7 Spice, garlic, onions and lemon. Simple to prepare and perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
- 8 chicken drumsticks or bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Lebanese 7 Spice
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup water
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- Lightly drizzle the olive oil into a large baking dish.
- Arrange the chicken pieces skin-side up in the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the Lebanese 7 Spice, paprika, salt, and black pepper evenly over the chicken. Drizzle the lemon juice over the top.
- Scatter the copped onion and garlic around the chicken. Pour 1/2 cup of water into the baking dish, being careful not to pour it directly over the seasoned chicken so the spices stay on the skin.
- Bake uncovered for 40 minutes.
- Turn the oven to Broil. Broil for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken skin is deeply golden and crisp.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken produces the juiciest results.
- Don't skip the broiling step - it creates the beautiful golden skin that makes this dish so appealing.
- Spoon some of the roasted onions and garlic over the chicken when serving - they're packed with flavor.
PSST… LOVED THIS RECIPE?
Get all 10 in one printable guide.
This is one of ten global chicken dinners I’ve gathered into a free, printable collection - built around the same handful of pantry staples. Grab it free with my Global Flavor Pantry Basics.
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Make easy Mongolian Beef at home with tender sliced beef, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and brown sugar. A quick, flavorful takeout-style dinner.