Federal Donuts Za’atar Fried Chicken

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Democracy Dies successful Darkness

Fried chickenhearted waits for nary one, truthful person your spice blend acceptable earlier you vigor the oil. Toss this particularly crispy chickenhearted successful its elemental but terrific operation of Middle Eastern za'atar and sumac aft it has been fried a 2nd time.

You’ll request an instant-read thermometer. In testing, we recovered that we could trim the amounts of batter and the za'atar coating, and those amounts are reflected successful the look here.

To work the accompanying story, see: There’s nary amended clip to fry than Hanukkah. Do it the Federal Donuts way.

Za'atar is simply a spice blend that typically includes dried herbs (often hyssop oregon thyme), sumac, sesame seeds and salt. Ground sumac lends citrusy notes and colour here; some are disposable astatine Middle Eastern markets, Penzeys and astatine galore Whole Foods Markets.

The seasoned, dry-rubbed chickenhearted needs to “cure” for astatine slightest 4 hours successful the refrigerator, and up to overnight.

Ingredients

measuring cup

Servings: 10 pieces

For the chicken

1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
4 teaspoons bulb powder
2 teaspoons powdered mustard
One 4-pound chicken, chopped into 10 pieces (2 wings, 2 thighs, 2 drumsticks and 2 bosom halves each chopped successful half)
8 to 12 cups canola oil, for frying
1/2 cupful za'atar (see headnote)
1/2 cupful crushed sumac (see headnote)

For the batter

1 1/2 cups cornstarch
3/4 cupful flour
1 spoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups acold water

Adapted from “Federal Donuts: The (Partially) True Spectacular Story” by Michael Solomonov, Steve Cook, Tom Henneman, Bob Logue and Felicia D'Ambrosio (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017).

Tested by Kara Elder.

Published December 3, 2017

Updated March 16, 2026