shawarma recipe

 

Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish that consists of seasoned meat (usually beef, chicken, or lamb) cooked on a vertical rotisserie. It's typically served in a flatbread with various toppings and sauces. Here's a basic recipe to make chicken shawarma at home:

Ingredients:

For the marinade:

- 500 grams boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced

- 3 tablespoons plain yogurt

- 3 tablespoons olive oil

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 teaspoon ground cumin

- 1 teaspoon ground coriander

- 1 teaspoon paprika

- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your preferred spice level)

- Juice of 1 lemon

- Salt and pepper, to taste

For serving:

- Pita bread or flatbreads

- Sliced tomatoes

- Sliced cucumbers

- Sliced onions

- Shredded lettuce

- Tahini sauce or garlic sauce (store-bought or homemade)

- Hummus (optional)

- Pickles (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Marinade:

   - In a large bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients: yogurt, olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

   - Mix the marinade well until it forms a smooth paste.

2. Marinate the Chicken:

   - Add the thinly sliced chicken to the marinade and coat the chicken pieces thoroughly with the marinade.

   - Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or put the chicken and marinade in a resealable plastic bag.

   - Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to infuse into the meat.

3. Cook the Chicken:

   - Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) or use a grill or stovetop griddle.

   - If using an oven, spread the marinated chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

   - Cook the chicken in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until it is cooked through and slightly charred. If using a grill or stovetop griddle, cook the chicken until it's done and has a nice grilled texture.

4. Warm the Flatbreads:

   - While the chicken is cooking, warm the pita bread or flatbreads in the oven or on a stovetop griddle for a few minutes.

5. Assemble the Shawarma:

   - Lay a warmed flatbread on a clean surface.

   - Add a generous amount of cooked chicken to the center of the flatbread.

   - Top the chicken with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, shredded lettuce, and any optional toppings you desire, like hummus or pickles.

6. Add Sauces:

   - Drizzle tahini sauce or garlic sauce over the toppings. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice for extra freshness.

7. Roll and Serve:

   - Roll up the flatbread to form a shawarma wrap or fold it like a sandwich.

   - Serve the chicken shawarma while it's still warm and enjoy!

Note: You can customize your shawarma by adding other vegetables, pickles, or your favorite sauces. The marinated chicken can also be cooked on a rotisserie if you have the equipment.