Hen Shawarma

What’s Shawarma?

Shawarma is a Center Jap dish consisting of thinly sliced meat—usually lamb, beef, or rooster—that’s seasoned with spices, stacked on a vertical rotisserie, and slow-cooked because it turns. The outer layers are shaved off for serving. Originating from the Ottoman Empire (modern-day Turkey), shawarma developed from the normal Turkish döner kebab. Immediately, shawarma is a preferred avenue meals throughout the Center East and North Africa, particularly in international locations like Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey, and has develop into broadly fashionable in Europe and North America as nicely. It’s generally served in pita or flatbread with toppings like tahini, garlic sauce, pickles, and greens.

Making Hen Shawarma at Dwelling

However don’t fear—I’m not about to make you stack meat on a vertical rotisserie and slow-turn it like a avenue meals professional. We’re retaining it easy (and weeknight-friendly) with a deliciously simple model cooked proper on the grill—or a grill pan on the stovetop (if you do not have an outside grill). We’ll be serving it the most well-liked method—as a wrap, tucked inside heat pita bread.

Components & Substitutions

• Hen: I favor utilizing rooster thighs for shawarma as a result of they keep juicier and extra flavorful than breasts. Thighs can deal with the excessive warmth and longer cooking time with out drying out, providing you with that tender texture that’s key to nice shawarma.
• Different proteins: You might be greater than welcome to change out the rooster thigh with different proteins like lamb or steak. Use the identical marinade and cooking strategies to arrange it. For a seafood model, substitute the rooster with the identical quantity of shrimp. You’ll solely must marinate it for half-hour. 
• Varieties of bread: I like making shawarma with pita bread. Do not sweat it if you do not have it! Lavash, tortillas, flatbreads, naan, and even giant items of lettuce are nice substitutes for the pita bread!
• Greek yogurt substitutes: Utilizing common yogurt or bitter cream are good swaps for Greek yogurt for my selfmade tzatziki sauce.
• Spices: I used paprika (smoked or candy), cumin, coriander, turmeric powder, cardamom, cinnamon, cayenne pepper (or crushed crimson pepper flakes), salt, floor black pepper. You can too embrace turmeric (I didn’t use it but it surely works nicely right here!)
• Tip: the beneath picture depicts each single ingredient you want. Take a screenshot on your buying record!

The best way to Make Hen Shawarma – Step-by-Step Photographs

Word: It is a fast rundown of the recipe, full with useful step-by-step images! For the total recipe & directions please scroll right down to the recipe card beneath.

• Begin by making ready the marinade. In a big bowl, combine garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest, and olive oil.
• Add the rooster and toss till absolutely coated. Cowl tightly with plastic wrap pressed instantly onto the floor of the rooster. Let it marinate at room temperature for 1–2 hours, or refrigerate in a single day for deeper taste.

• Put together the tzatziki sauce whereas the rooster marinates. Mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, cumin, dill, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir nicely, regulate seasoning to style, and put aside.

• When able to prepare dinner, convey the rooster to room temperature if it was refrigerated.
• Warmth a grill or grill pan over excessive warmth and brush with impartial oil. Prepare dinner the rooster for about 3–4 minutes per facet with out transferring it, so that you get good grill marks. As soon as cooked by way of, switch to a plate, cowl with foil, and let relaxation for five–10 minutes.
• Optionally available: grill your pita bread for 15–30 seconds per facet for additional taste and char.

• To assemble, unfold a spoonful of hummus on heat pita bread, then layer with tzatziki, sliced grilled rooster, cucumbers, tomatoes, and crimson onion. Wrap in parchment if desired and dig in!

The best way to Serve Hen Shawarma

• Wrap Model: I prefer to serve rooster shawarma sliced in heat pita or flatbread, layered with hummus, tzatziki (or garlic sauce), cucumbers, tomatoes, crimson onion, and generally pickles. Wrapping it in parchment makes it simpler to deal with and excellent for grabbing on the go.
• Bowl Model: For a bowl model, I skip the pita and layer every thing over a mattress of rice or blended greens. I high it with the sliced rooster, a giant dollop of tzatziki, chopped veggies, and a drizzle of olive oil or additional lemon juice. It’s simply as satisfying and nice for meal prep, too. And excellent news? I have already got a bowl model prepared for you, I simply must publish it! Keep tuned!

Facet Dish Suggestions

• Cilantro-Lime Black Bean Rice
• Mediterranean Lemon Rice with Chickpeas
• Greek Salad
• Orzo Salad
• Greek Pasta Salad