Chicken Shawarma

Fast Grill

Chicken Shawarma

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Antonio Montes

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Active Fire Time: 10 minutes             Total Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

With origins from Middle Eastern markets, the shawarma is a global sensation with its irresistible flavor, combination of spices, and juicy, slow-cooked meat. Traditionally, shawarma meat is cooked on a vertical rotisserie. In our recipe, we’ll show you an early adaptation of this dish using your H1.

Shawarma can come in many variations and different proteins like lamb, turkey, and beef, as well as chicken. Our chicken version features homemade pita bread with easy fresh salad with tomatoes, mint, and parsley, and pickled red onion. You will want to keep a jar of the pickled onions in your fridge for sandwiches and to top on salads.  Plus, we’re adding a creamy yogurt and tahini sauce to bring all these flavors together.

This dish is perfect for dinner with the family or for guests. The guests could even take part in the cooking process. 
We hope this recipe becomes a regular tradition in your household.

Let’s get started!

 

Ingredients

Serves 4+

1 lb boneless chicken breast 

Pita bread:

14 oz (400 g) all-purpose flour
7 g instant yeast
1 cup room temperature water 
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil 
1 teaspoon sugar

For the chicken rub 
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg 
1 teaspoon black ground pepper
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1  teaspoon ground cinnamon 
¼ teaspoon ground cloves 
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika 
½ teaspoon cardamom
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger 
1 teaspoon sumac
2 teaspoons baharat 
3  garlic cloves 
½ cup lemon juice 
¼ cup vinegar 
olive oil 

Pickled onion:

1  large red onion 
1 tablespoon sumac
salt to taste 
¼ cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons white or apple vinegar
olive oil

Yogurt tahini sauce:

2.4 oz (70 g) tahini
1 grated garlic clove 
10 oz  strained or Greek yogurt (not sweetened) 
lemon juice (about half a lemon)

Tomato salad:
2 tomatoes
a bunch of mint leaves
a bunch of  parsley
salt
fresh ground pepper

Supplies:

2-3 lb lump charcoal
High-Temperature Gloves
The Smoke Controller
Metal skewers 

 

Preparation

Step 1:

Start by preparing the pita bread dough. Combine water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl and let it activate for 10 minutes.

Step 2: 

In a separate bowl, add flour, salt, and olive oil. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix well until the dough comes together. Knead for about 5 minutes until you have a smooth and soft dough ball.

Step 3: 

Divide the dough into 6 portions and shape them into small balls. Place them on a greased tray, cover with plastic wrap, and let them rest for 1 hour or until they double in size.

Step 4:

Slice the chicken breast lengthwise into strips about one finger wide.

Step 5:

Prepare part of the rub for the chicken using a mortar and pestle: crush garlic cloves, coriander seeds, and salt into a paste. Transfer the mixture to a bowl large enough to hold the chicken and add the vinegar.

Step 6:

Continue preparing the rub by adding the rest of the spices: nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, paprika, cardamom, grated ginger, sumac, and baharat (it is a 7-spice mix) to the garlic mixture. Then add the lemon juice and olive oil and mix well.
Add the chicken to the bowl and make sure the chicken is coated with the rub. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. If possible, let it marinate overnight for a greater depth of flavor.

Step 7:

Fire up the H1 in Fast Grill Mode at 662°F according to the owner's manual instructions or the Masterclass video. Place The Smoke Controller on the top rack position.

Step 8:

While the chicken marinates, prepare the salad, pickled onions, and the sauce:

For the yogurt and tahini sauce, mix the yogurt with the tahini and grated garlic in a bowl. Stir well and add lemon juice until it reaches a thick, almost mayonnaise-like consistency.

Step 9:

Tomato salad: Dice the tomatoes and finely chop a handful of parsley and mint. In a bowl, mix the tomatoes with the fresh herbs, add salt, pepper, and olive oil. Combine well and add 2 tablespoons of the previously prepared yogurt sauce.

Step 10:

Pickled onions. Thinly slice the red onion. In a bowl, mix the sliced onion with salt, pepper, sumac, vinegar, and lemon juice. Stir well.

Step 11:

After the pita dough has risen, carefully roll it out with a rolling pin to about 0.4 inch thickness. Place the pita bread on the Smoke Controller in the H1 and cook for 30 seconds on each side. Once done, cover them with a kitchen towel to keep them warm.

Step 12:

Skewer the marinated chicken pieces onto metal skewers. You can use two skewers for better stability.

Step 13:

Place the chicken skewers on the bottom rack and cook for 3 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 3 minutes.

Step 14:

Remove the chicken from the skewers and assemble your shawarma with the salad, pickled onions, and the tahini sauce inside your freshly baked pita bread. Enjoy!

Cook's Notes:

This recipe is an excellent option for when you have guests at home—you can involve them in the experience. Plus, you don’t have to make it only with chicken—dare to explore shawarma options with lamb, turkey, or beef!

 

Share With Us

Post what you cook using the Keveri H1 on social and tag us @Keveri. usa #KeveriFam

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Check the full recipe video here

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