Chicken Shawarma

 Oh my tastiness.  I like to do the marinade in the morning and allow the chicken to marinate all day.   Such good and tender chicken that way.  

CHICKEN SHAWARMA

(seves 6)

Marinade Ingredients:

*1 teaspoons ground cumin

*1/4 teaspoons ground coriander

*1 teaspoons paprika

*1 teaspoons garlic powder

*1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper 

*1 teaspoon salt

*1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

*1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

*3 tablespoons olive oil

*6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs 

Garlic Yogurt Sauce Ingredients: (you can use tzatziki sauce or Tahini sauce if you prefer)

*1 cup plain yogurt (can use greek)

*2 garlic cloves, minced

*1 teaspoon cumin 

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

*juice squeezed from 1/2 lemon

Pita Ingredients:

*6 soft pitas

*1 cucumber, sliced (optional)

*1 tomato, chopped (optional)

*dill pickles (optional)

*red onion, sliced (optional)

*lettuce, shredded

Marinade Directions:

~In a large zip-loc bag, place all the marinade ingredients except the chicken thighs.

~Close bag and mix ingredients well.

~Pat dry thighs and then place in zip-loc bag

~Seal bag and coat chicken with marinade.

~Refrigerate for 4-24 hours

Yogurt Sauce Ingredients:

~In a small bowl,  combine all yogurt sauce ingredients.

~Whisk until ingredients are mixed well.

~Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Time to make the shawarma:

~Heat a heavy skillet (i use a cast iron pan) or grill over medium high heat.

~Place chicken in hot skillet/grill (it will smoke a lot).

~Cook thighs for 4-5 minutes on one side or until it's caramelized (careful not to burn).

~Flip chicken and cook another 3-4 minutes or until chicken is done.

~Remove chicken from skillet/grill and cover loosely with aluminum foil for 5-6 minutes. 

~Warm up pita breads (optional).

~Place chicken down the center of warmed pita or open pita and place chicken inside.

~Place cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, dill pickles, and lettuce on top.

~Drizzle desired amount of yogurt sauce on top.