Last Friday evening, my cousins dropped by without any prior notice. Everyone was in the mood for something special but no one wanted to order from outside. Suddenly, an idea came to my mind: why not make shawarma at home?
Ingredients (for 4-5 shawarmas)
Boneless chicken: 500 grams (cut into thin strips)
Yogurt: ½ cup
Garlic paste: 1 teaspoon
Ginger paste: 1 teaspoon
Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons
Red chili powder: 1 teaspoon
Black pepper powder: ½ teaspoon
Paprika: 1 teaspoon
Salt: 1 teaspoon
Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
Shawarma bread/pita bread: 5
Tahini sauce or garlic mayo: as desired
Fresh vegetables: Lettuce, cucumber, tomato, onion (chopped)
How I made it
I marinated the chicken with yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and spices, then left it for about an hour to absorb all the flavors. While the chicken was marinating, I chopped some fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.
Next, I heated olive oil in a pan and grilled the marinated chicken strips until they were soft and golden. The sizzling sound of the chicken, along with the aroma of spices, immediately reminded me of the streets of Dubai where shawarma is sold on every corner.
When the chicken was ready, I lightly warmed the pita bread on a pan. Then I spread a layer of garlic mayo on it, drizzled it with lettuce, tomatoes, grilled chicken strips, and tahini sauce. Finally, I rolled the bread tightly to make a perfect homemade shawarma wrap.
Serving Time
When I placed the shawarma on the plate, my cousins eagerly grabbed them. Their eyes lit up with the first bite.
“It tastes just like the authentic shawarma stalls abroad!”
Juicy chicken, creamy sauce, and crunchy vegetables wrapped in soft pita bread — it was an absolute delight! Everyone enjoyed it so much that they insisted we should make the shawarma again instead of ordering it from the restaurant.
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