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What Is Shawarma?
Shawarma is a popular street food that can be found throughout the Middle East and is particularly prevalent in Egypt. Served in a variety of ways, it can be made with chicken, beef, lamb, or turkey.
No matter the main ingredient, the protein used in shawarma recipes is typically slow-roasted on a spit and seasoned with a shawarma spice blend. Once it is fully cooked, tender, and juicy, it is sliced into thin strips. Then, it’s served on a plate with hummus or stuffed in pita bread for a shawarma sandwich.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Pita bread or flatbreads
- Toppings (such as hummus, tahini sauce, chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickles)
Procedure:
1. In a bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix well to make the marinade.
2. Slice the chicken breasts or thighs into thin strips and add them to the marinade. Make sure all the chicken is coated evenly. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or overnight for better flavor
4. If using a grill, thread the marinated chicken strips onto skewers. If using a skillet, you can cook the chicken directly in the pan.
5. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until it is cooked through and nicely browned.
6. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skewers or skillet and let it rest for a few minutes.
7. Warm the pita bread or flatbreads either on the grill or in a toaster.
8. Assemble your chicken shawarma by placing a generous amount of cooked chicken onto a warmed pita bread or flatbread. Add your desired toppings such as hummus, tahini sauce, chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickles.
9. Roll or fold the bread tightly around the chicken and toppings to form a wrap.
10. Serve the chicken shawarma immediately and enjoy!
what’s best to serve with chicken shawarma?
Chicken Shawarma is most often served as a wrap inside some sort of flatbread. If you’re looking for a low carb bread to serve this with you can use flour tortillas .
It’s also delicious if you serve it alongside a salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions for a fantastic flavor combination, you can either add them inside your chicken shawarma wrap with a little natural yoghurt, or serve them on the side with a little oil and vinegar dressing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
A: Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts in this recipe. Thighs tend to be more flavorful and moist.
Q: Can I bake the chicken instead of grilling or using a skillet?
A: Yes, you can bake the marinated chicken in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
Q: What are some common toppings for chicken shawarma?
A: Some popular toppings for chicken shawarma include hummus, tahini sauce, chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, pickles, shredded lettuce, and garlic sauce.
Q: Can I make the marinade in advance?
A: Yes, you can prepare the marinade ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Marinating the chicken overnight will result in more flavorful meat.
Q: Are there any vegetarian options for shawarma?
A: Yes, you can substitute the chicken with grilled vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and eggplant to make a delicious vegetarian shawarma.
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