Make the Dough: Get a big bowl. Mix the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt together. Pour in the warm water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir it all up until it looks like a messy dough.

Knead the Dough: Put some flour on your counter. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes. It should become smooth and stretchy. If it's too sticky, add a little more flour, one spoonful at a time.

First Rise: Put the dough in a bowl that has a little oil in it. Turn the dough so it gets covered in oil. Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Let it sit in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours. It should get twice as big.

Prepare the Za'atar Mixture: While the dough is rising, mix the za'atar spice and 1/4 cup of olive oil in a small bowl. Stir it until it looks like a paste.

Preheat Oven & Divide Dough: Turn your oven on to 450°F (232°C). Punch down the dough that has risen. Divide the big piece of dough into 4 smaller, equal pieces.

Shape the Manousheh: Put some flour on your counter. Roll or stretch each piece of dough into a thin circle. It should be about 8-10 inches across.

Assemble: Put the dough circles on a baking sheet. Put parchment paper on the baking sheet first. Spread a lot of the za'atar paste on each circle. Leave a little space around the edge.

Add Chicken & Cheese (Optional): Sprinkle the shredded chicken on top of the za'atar. If you're using cheese, sprinkle it on top of the chicken.

Bake: Put the baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should turn golden brown. If you used cheese, it should be melted and bubbly. Watch them carefully, they can cook fast!

Serve: Take them out of the oven. Let them cool down a little before you eat them. You can brush the edges with a little more olive oil to make them taste even better.