Chicken Shawarma

Shawarma

INGREDIENTS:

Chicken -

Cut chicken breasts and thighs to 1 ½ inch pieces. Set this aside

Preparing the marinade -

Add the following ingredients to a mixing bowl.

1 ½ garlic clove minced about 1 large

1½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil

½ tsp cumin powder / jeera

¼ tsp all spice powder

½ tsp chili powder / paprika

1/8 tsp turmeric

1/8 tsp cinnamon powder

Salt as needed

1/8 tsp pepper

INSTRUCTIONS-

Chicken -

1. Mix all the ingredients. I also added 2 tbsp greek yogurt / hung curd (fresh, not sour).

2. Add lemon juice only if needed to give a slight tang. I use about 1.5 tsps. Mix everything well and check

3. Add lemon juice only if needed to give a slight tang. I use about 1.5 tsps. Mix everything well and check the salt.

4. 5. Marinate chicken well. The marinade must be thick and not runny.

5. 6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours. I prefer 24 hours. The longer we rest, it turns more tender and flavorful

6. Use grilling pan

7. Turn on the flame to the highest. Heat a non-stick pan with half tbsp oil. When the pan turns really hot,place the chicken pieces separately without crowding. Flip them to all the sides for even cooking. Note That I grilled the 300 grams chicken in 2 batches. Do not crowd the pan, chicken begins to release moisture if crowded.

8. When the marinade almost begins to caramelize then put the flame to medium high. Continue to cook until the marinade completely dries up and the chicken is completely cooked. Since the chicken is marinated well in yogurt, it cooks fast.

9. You will have to control the flame else it might char the meat and turn it hard. So i switch off the stove

10. for a while. Quickly with a wooden spoon cut the chicken further.I cook further for one to 2 mins to make sure chicken is cooked well. Set the chicken aside. Add quartered layers, separated onions and quartered deseeded tomatoes to the pan and toss for a few mins on a high flame.

Tahini -

1. You will have to make tahini from here or use store bought. If buying from a store, prefer the one that is packed in glass jars and is made from organic sesame.

2. Add 3⁄4 cup tahini, 1/4 to 1/2 cup lukewarm water, 2 large garlic cloves minced, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, salt only if needed to a processor and process until it turns light and creamy.