What To Know
- For a complete meal, serve the chicken shawarma with a side of soup or a dessert.
- If you don’t have a skillet or griddle, you can also cook the chicken in a grill pan or on a barbecue.
- For a healthier version, you can bake the chicken in the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
If you’re a fan of flavorful and juicy chicken, then you must try the delectable chicken shawarma recipe from Pakistan. This mouthwatering dish is a staple in Pakistani street food and is sure to tantalize your taste buds with its unique blend of spices and tender chicken. In this blog post, we’ll take you on a culinary journey to create the perfect chicken shawarma recipe Pakistani style. So, get ready to experience the authentic taste of Pakistan with this delicious dish!
Ingredients
To make the perfect chicken shawarma recipe Pakistan style, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into small pieces
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup chopped coriander leaves
- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 1/2 cup pickled cucumbers
- 4 pita bread
- Tahini sauce (for serving)
Preparation
1. Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, garlic paste, ginger paste, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, chili powder, black pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil. Mix well.
- Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and coat them thoroughly.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results.
2. Cook the Chicken:
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Drain the chicken from the marinade and cook it in the skillet until golden brown and cooked through.
- Set the cooked chicken aside.
3. Assemble the Shawarma:
- Warm the pita bread in a toaster oven or over an open flame.
- Spread a generous amount of tahini sauce on the pita bread.
- Add the cooked chicken, tomatoes, onions, pickled cucumbers, parsley, and coriander leaves.
- Roll up the pita bread tightly and serve immediately.
Tips for Perfect Chicken Shawarma
- To make sure the chicken is evenly cooked, cut it into uniform pieces.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken. This will prevent it from cooking evenly.
- If you don’t have tahini sauce, you can substitute it with hummus or yogurt sauce.
- For a vegetarian version of this recipe, you can replace the chicken with grilled vegetables.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the chicken shawarma with a side of French fries, salad, or rice.
- You can also serve it with a refreshing drink like lemonade or iced tea.
- For a complete meal, serve the chicken shawarma with a side of soup or a dessert.
Storing and Reheating
- Store leftover chicken shawarma in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, wrap the shawarma in aluminum foil and heat it in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.
Alternative Cooking Methods
- If you don’t have a skillet or griddle, you can also cook the chicken in a grill pan or on a barbecue.
- For a healthier version, you can bake the chicken in the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
Variations
- For a spicy shawarma, add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
- For a smoky flavor, grill the chicken over charcoal.
- To make a vegetarian shawarma, replace the chicken with grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms.
Not a Fan of Chicken? Try These Alternatives:
- Beef Shawarma: Use thinly sliced beef instead of chicken.
- Lamb Shawarma: Use thinly sliced lamb instead of chicken.
- Fish Shawarma: Use grilled fish fillets instead of chicken.
Quick Answers to Your FAQs
Q: Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe?
A: Yes, you can use boneless chicken. Just cut it into small pieces before marinating.
Q: How long can I marinate the chicken?
A: You can marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results.
Q: What if I don’t have tahini sauce?
A: You can substitute tahini sauce with hummus or yogurt sauce.
Q: How can I make a vegetarian version of this recipe?
A: Replace the chicken with grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms.
