The Ultimate Guide to Making Mouthwatering Shawarma Chicken at Home
Are you craving for some delicious and flavorful shawarma chicken but don’t want to go out? Why not make it at home! Shawarma chicken is a Middle Eastern dish that has become increasingly popular around the world. It’s made with marinated chicken, cooked on a spit, and then shaved off into thin slices. The result is a tender, juicy, and flavorful meat that can be enjoyed in many different ways. In this ultimate guide, we’ll show you how to make mouthwatering shawarma chicken at home with some tips and recipes that will leave your taste buds wanting more!
What is shawarma chicken?
Shawarma chicken is a popular Middle Eastern dish that has gained worldwide recognition. It’s made by marinating chicken in a mixture of spices, yogurt, and lemon juice. Once the chicken is marinated, it’s placed on a spit and cooked slowly until it’s golden brown and tender.
What makes one-pot shawarma chicken and orzo skillet unique is the way it’s cooked – on a vertical rotisserie. As the spit rotates, the meat cooks evenly and develops an irresistible aroma that draws people in from miles away.
Once cooked to perfection, shawarma chicken is shaved off into thin slices using a long knife called a “sajj.” The result is juicy, flavorful meat that can be served in many different ways. You can wrap it up in pita bread with some veggies or enjoy it as part of a salad bowl.
In essence, shawarma chicken is all about flavor – from the marinade to cooking method to final presentation!
How to make shawarma chicken at home
Are you craving the delicious taste of shawarma chicken but don’t want to leave your house? Well, good news! You can make mouthwatering shawarma chicken right in your own kitchen. Here’s how:
First, gather all of your ingredients: boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin powder, paprika powder, turmeric powder and salt.
Next step is to marinate the chicken. In a large bowl mix together lemon juice with olive oil and minced garlic until well combined. Then add in cumin powder along with paprika powder and turmeric powder as well as salt. Mix it all up until everything is evenly coated.
Now it’s time to add the chicken into the mixture. Make sure every piece of meat gets covered with marinade on both sides before placing them into a ziplock bag or container for 4-6 hours.
After marinating time has passed preheat your oven at 425°F (220°C) then line up a baking sheet with parchment paper before placing each piece of marinated meat onto it one by one.
Finally bake the shawarma seasoned chicken for around 20-25 minutes (depending on thickness), making sure that they’re completely cooked through yet still juicy inside!
There you have it – homemade shawarma-style grilled or baked succulent pieces of tenderly spiced juicy flavorful goodness that’s perfect for wraps or salads!
Tips for making perfect shawarma chicken
Making shawarma chicken at home can be a bit tricky, but with these tips, you’ll be able to whip up perfect and mouthwatering shawarma chicken every time.
Firstly, marinating the chicken overnight is crucial for tender and flavorful meat. Use yogurt as a base for your marinade to help break down the proteins in the chicken. Add spices like paprika, cumin, coriander, garlic powder and lemon juice for an authentic taste.
Secondly, invest in a vertical rotisserie or use skewers on your grill to mimic the traditional way of cooking shawarma. This will result in evenly cooked meat that’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Thirdly, don’t overcrowd your pan or grill when cooking shawarma chicken. Overcrowding leads to uneven heat distribution which results in undercooked or overcooked meat.
Fourthly, always let your shawarma rest before slicing it thinly against the grain. This allows all those delicious juices to redistribute throughout the meat resulting in moist and succulent pieces.
Serve your homemade shawarma chicken with warm pita breads, fresh veggies such as tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce along with some tangy sauces like tahini sauce or tzatziki sauce for an amazing meal that’ll transport you straight to Mediterranean heaven!
Recipes for shawarma chicken
Recipes for Shawarma Chicken
Now that you know the basics of how to make shawarma chicken at home, it’s time to explore some delicious and easy recipes. Here are a few variations of shawarma chicken that you can try:
1. Classic Shawarma Chicken: Marinate the chicken in lemon juice, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric and yogurt for several hours before roasting on a spit or grill.
2. Spicy Shawarma Chicken: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the classic marinade recipe for an extra kick.
3. Greek-inspired Shawarma Chicken: Use oregano instead of coriander and add feta cheese crumbles to the wrap along with tomatoes and cucumber.
4. Mediterranean-style Shawarma Chicken: Mix together chopped parsley, mint leaves and garlic with olive oil and lemon juice as a dressing for lettuce wraps filled with sliced onions and peppers.
5. Vegetarian option – Halloumi Cheese Shawarma
Grill halloumi cheese slices after marinating them in olive oil infused with sumac powder (a Middle Eastern spice). Stuff them into pita breads containing hummus dip spread on one side.
These recipes are just starting points – feel free to experiment by adding your own twist!
Conclusion
Making shawarma chicken at home can be a fun and delicious experience. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can recreate this popular Middle Eastern dish in your own kitchen.
Remember to marinate your chicken for at least 2 hours before cooking to ensure that it is infused with all of those delicious flavors. Cooking on high heat will also help to get that perfect charred exterior while keeping the inside juicy.
Don’t forget about the toppings! Adding fresh veggies, pickles, hummus or tzatziki sauce will really take your shawarma to the next level.
So go ahead and try making shawarma chicken at home tonight – we promise you won’t regret it!
