As a family we’ve gravitated to big, bold flavors in most of the food we prepared at home over the years, embracing enthusiastically the various food cultures we’ve grown up with in Texas and the desert Southwest.
Several years ago our photojournalist daughter spent a week in Jordon on assignment, and she brought back some stunningly good olive oil and spice mixes, along with tall tales and images of meals eaten in the field and at some of the finest restaurants in the country.
She loved the shawarma there, and I’ve been tinkering around the edges with various shawarma recipes for months now, finally settling on this one. We most often reach for chicken thighs here, given their rich flavor and higher fat content, though you can of course substitute any protein you’d care to choose. The spice mix is delightful, though I often cheat the spices up a little, and the yogurt sauce is delicious, and has become one we reach for to serve with other grilled proteins as well as serve as a change-up-the-game salad dressing now and again too.
The chicken can of course be grilled, though the sheet pan, high-heat bake is a genius, quick, and easy prep that is simple enough for even a beginner in the kitchen. Cook extra, this one makes a great lunch (or breakfast) the next day or two.
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp good salt
1 tsp ground coriander seed
1 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp cinnamon
4-5 tbsp olive or avocado oil
2 to 2 and 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
For the sauce
1 and 1/2 cups full-fat yogurt
2 tbsp tahini
1/2 tsp finely grated garlic
1/2 tsp (or more) finely grated fresh lemon zest
5 tbsp fresh lemon juice, divided
2 tbsp (or more) fresh dill, chopped
2 tbsp (or more) fresh mint, chopped
Good salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
To Serve
Several romaine hearts, chopped
1/2 (or more) English hothouse cucumber, thinly sliced
5-6 ounces grape or cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Kalamata olives
Combine the seven spice ingredients with 3 tbsp of the oil; throw in the chicken and toss to coat. (Add a little more oil if needed). Let rest at room temperature while you heat the oven to 425.
Now bake the chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet for 15-17 minutes until browned with crispy edges (interior temp in the thickest thigh should be 165). Remove and let rest for 5 minutes.
While the chicken is baking, stir together the sauce, folding in the mint and dill last, and seasoning to taste with good salt and pepper. Prep the romaine, cucumber, tomatoes, and onion.
Traditionally this would be served in pitas; it’s even better thinly sliced over the salad, drizzled with the sauce. And the chicken is amazing cold.
Enjoy.
