Shawarmas are so on trend at the moment but yet so simple to make, you simply need a handful of spices and some chicken and away you go. I prefer to use chicken thighs when I cook this so that is how the method will read, breast is fine but allow a bit longer for cooking time. You need to have this delicious dish in your list of meals to impress, so go ahead and see for yourself just how easy it is.
Prep time 10mins (plus 30mins for marinating)
Cooking time 20mins approx
600g skinless boneless chicken thighs (breasts are also fine)
4tbsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, crushed
Inch sized piece of ginger, grated (or 1tsp ground ginger)
2tsp ground cumin
2tsp ground coriander
1tsp salt
1tsp ground pepper
1tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cayenne (optional)
100g Greek yoghurt
1 large garlic clove, crushed
1tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
1tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Heat oven to 180c.
In a bowl mix all of the marinade ingredients, with out the chicken, and mix well, then add the whole peices of chicken, don't cut the chicken into chunks as we are going cook it whole so it doesn't dry out.
Coat the chicken all over in the marinade, cover the bowl and leave in the fridge to marinate for at least 30mins.
While the chicken is marinating we are going to make the simple yoghurt sauce for the shawarma. In small bowl mix all of the ingredients for the sauce, mix well and again leave to rest in the fridge and really let the different ingredients get to know each other. (I know how simple is that) Have a taste after about 15mins and tweak the seasoning if need be, then leave until needed.
Place the chicken on a a baking tray that has been lined with foil, pop in the oven for 20mins or until the chicken is cooked (if you're using breasts they will take longer then small thighs to cook)
Once the chicken is cooked and cooled slightly put it on a chopping board and roughy slice it.
Heat a frying pan on a medium to high heat with 1tbsp of olive oil, pop the chicken in and just cook for a few mins, this is to get some lovely crunchy bits around the edges of the chicken, it adds a real authentic charred flavour that you can't achieve in the oven.
Serve on some fluffy flatbreads with a delicious salad and don't forget your yummy yoghurt sauce!!
