Rooster Shawarma

What’s Shawarma?

Shawarma is a Center Jap dish consisting of thinly sliced meat—sometimes lamb, beef, or hen—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 standard Turkish döner kebab. In the present day, 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 change into broadly widespread in Europe and North America as properly. It’s generally served in pita or flatbread with toppings like tahini, garlic sauce, pickles, and greens.

Making Rooster Shawarma at Residence

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 conserving 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 preferred method—as a wrap, tucked inside heat pita bread.

Substances & Substitutions

• Rooster: I want utilizing hen 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’re greater than welcome to change out the hen thigh with different proteins like lamb or steak. Use the identical marinade and cooking strategies to organize it. For a seafood model, substitute the hen with the identical quantity of shrimp. You’ll solely have to 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 massive 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 even embody allspice (I didn’t use it however it works properly right here – you should utilize it as an alternative of cinnamon!)
• Tip: the under picture depicts each single ingredient you want. Take a screenshot in your purchasing record!

Tips on how to Make Rooster Shawarma – Step-by-Step Pictures

Word: This can be a fast rundown of the recipe, full with useful step-by-step pictures! For the complete recipe & directions please scroll right down to the recipe card under.

• 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 hen and toss till totally coated. Cowl tightly with plastic wrap pressed instantly onto the floor of the hen. 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 hen marinates. Mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, cumin, dill, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir properly, modify seasoning to style, and put aside.

• When able to cook dinner, convey the hen to room temperature if it was refrigerated.
• Warmth a grill or grill pan over excessive warmth and brush with impartial oil. Prepare dinner the hen for about 3–4 minutes per facet with out transferring it, so that you get good grill marks. As soon as cooked by, 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 hen, cucumbers, tomatoes, and crimson onion. Wrap in parchment if desired and dig in!

Tips on how to Serve Rooster Shawarma

• Wrap Type: I wish to serve hen 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 ideal for grabbing on the go.
• Bowl Type: For a bowl model, I skip the pita and layer every thing over a mattress of rice or blended greens. I prime it with the sliced hen, 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 have to publish it! Keep tuned!

Facet Dish Suggestions

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