Homemade Chicken Shawarma — The Mediterranean Dish
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Official cooking video · The Mediterranean Dish · YOUTUBEOven-Roasted Chicken and Onion Shawarma Pitas (6 Servings)
Juicy boneless chicken thighs and onions are coated in cumin, coriander and turmeric, oven-roasted and tucked into pita with fresh vegetables and sauce. A sheet-pan adaptation, six portions.
Ingredients
servings: 6 · Check ingredients
Steps
- 01
Combine 3/4 tbsp each cumin, turmeric, coriander, garlic powder and paprika with 1/2 tsp each cloves and cayenne.
- 02
Pat eight thighs dry, cut into bite-size pieces and coat evenly with the starting amount of 3/4 tsp salt.
- 03
Toss the chicken with spices, then add one thinly sliced onion, juice of one lemon and 1/3 cup olive oil; mix well.
- 04
Optionally cover and marinate in the refrigerator around three hours; skip this step if short on time. Do not marinate raw chicken at room temperature.
- 05
Preheat oven to 220°C and spread the marinated chicken and onion in a single layer on a large sheet pan.
- 06
Roast about 25–30 minutes, checking from 25 minutes. Ensure the thickest chicken piece reaches 74°C with a thermometer; cook longer if necessary.
- 07
For more color, broil briefly for no more than one minute while watching constantly; clean all utensils exposed to raw poultry.
- 08
If using the accompaniments, warm six pitas; wash and prepare 60g arugula, one tomato, one cucumber and 60g pickles.
- 09
Divide the cooked chicken and onions among six pitas and, if desired, add the vegetables and 1 tbsp tahini sauce per serving. Serve right away.
- 10
Refrigerate cooked chicken in shallow containers within two hours, use within 3–4 days, and reheat to 74°C. Keep fresh vegetables and sauce refrigerated separately.
Before you cook
Confirm the thickest chicken reaches 74°C on a food thermometer; refrigerate raw-chicken marinade and prevent cross-contamination. Pita contains wheat and optional tahini contains sesame; read labels. Refrigerate cooked leftovers within two hours, use within 3–4 days and reheat to 74°C.
Allergens: wheat in pita pockets, sesame in optional tahini sauce, commercial pita, pickles or prepared tahini may contain other allergens; check labels
Image & source credits
These illustrations stand in for food photos.
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