Description
Culinary adventurers will delight in this oven-baked chicken shawarma tower, a Middle Eastern masterpiece that elevates traditional street food. Layers of spiced chicken, crisp vegetables, and creamy sauce promise a mouthwatering journey you won’t soon forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken breast, cut into strips
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Accompaniments and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon yogurt (optional)
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Pita bread or flatbread for serving
- Tahini sauce for drizzling
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C), preparing a culinary canvas for the shawarma transformation.
- Craft a vibrant marinade by whisking olive oil with paprika, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and zesty lemon juice until harmoniously blended.
- Envelop chicken strips completely in the aromatic marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Allow the flavors to meld and intensify for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- Arrange marinated chicken strips strategically in a spacious oven-safe dish, creating layers interspersed with sliced onions and colorful bell peppers.
- Roast the layered shawarma in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until chicken achieves a golden-brown exterior and reaches complete doneness.
- Assemble the shawarma tower atop warm pita or flatbread, cascading the aromatic chicken and roasted vegetables with finesse.
- Enhance the dish with a luxurious tahini sauce drizzle and sprinkle fresh parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous finale.
Notes
- Marinating chicken for at least 30 minutes allows deeper flavor penetration and tenderizes the meat, creating more succulent results.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier texture and richer taste compared to chicken breast, which can dry out quickly.
- Adjust spice blend to accommodate dietary needs by reducing salt for low-sodium diets or using smoked paprika for deeper flavor without adding heat.
- For gluten-free option, replace traditional pita with lettuce wraps or grain-free flatbread, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delicious shawarma tower.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg