Shawarma Djaj -- Chicken Shawarma (Lebanon -- Middle East)

Submitted by Sydney Mike

"This recipe comes from the 2002 cookbook, Mediterranean Street Food. Preparation time does not include the 3 hours needed for the chicken breasts to marinate."

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 16
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1⁄2 cup onion, thinly sliced
• 1 lemon, juice of
• 1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil (a 'scant' 1/2 cup)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt, to taste
• 1⁄8 teaspoon dried thyme
• 4 pita bread, oval
• 4 tablespoons garlic sauce (see Thum -- Garlic Sauce (Lebanon -- Middle East) #373997)
• 2 small tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 gherkins, thinly sliced lengthwise
• 2 tablespoons mint, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley, finely chopped

directions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine chicken breasts with 1/2 cup of onion, lemon juice, olive oil & spices, then add the thyme before adding the salt to taste.
2. Stir well & then let marinate, covered, in the refrigerator for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, then place chicken breasts in a roasting pan & bake for 25-30 minutes or until done.
4. Remove from the oven & shred the chicken into slivers.
5. Open oval pitas at the seam to create a large pocket, then spread a tablespoon of garlic sauce on the bottom half before filling each pits with equal amounts of sandwich ingredients (i.e. chicken, tomato, onion, gherkins, mint & parsley).
6. Wrap the bottom of the 'sandwiches' with a napkin & serve immediately.

Reviews

[Teddy N.]

bro its called djej not djaj in lebanon but the sandwish is really tastyyyyyyyyyyyyy

 

[um-um-good]

This was good; but, didn't quite remind us of the shawarma we're used to at the restaurant we go to. It wasn't bad; but, i will continue my search for the perfect shawarma.

 

[mary winecoff]

I loved this recipe! I did serve Tzatziki instead of the garlic sauce because my children like it and I tons of cucumber in the garden. Quick and easy to do. Will make again soon!