Instructions: Heat the oven to 450 degrees.

Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a large skillet over low heat. Add the onions and cook until theyre golden, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes. After 5 minutes, sprinkle on salt to taste.

Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, rubbing well into the skin. Transfer the onions to 13- by 9-inch baking dish and place the chicken on top. Bake, uncovered, 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to 375 degrees and bake 15 minutes more.

Drizzle a tablespoon or so of the remaining olive oil into a skillet. Heat the oil, then add the pine nuts. Cook over a medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the pine nuts are browned, 10 minutes.

Mix together the sumac, allspice, cloves and pine nuts in a small bowl. Remove the chicken from the oven and sprinkle on the sumac-pine nut mixture. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the top and return the dish to the oven. Continue baking until the chicken is cooked, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the chicken from the oven.

Heat the broiler. Transfer each chicken piece to a round of pita bread, or place all the chicken pieces over the large pita. Sprinkle the onions, with a small amount of the cooking liquid, on top and around the chicken.

Broil the chicken 6 inches from the heat source until the skin is crispy, 5 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.

This recipe yields 8 servings.

NOTES :

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