Ingredients:
For the chicken & rice
600 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs
200 g basmati rice (well rinsed)
400 ml hot chicken stock
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp butter (to toast the rice and add richness)
lemon juice
Shawarma marinade
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp turmeric
½ tsp cinnamon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Fresh salad
Finely shredded red cabbage
Sweet cherry tomatoes, halved
Small pickled gherkins, sliced
Extra virgin olive oil
Vinegar
Salt and pepper
Tahini sauce
3 tbsp good-quality tahini
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 small garlic clove, crushed
50 g plain yogurt
Salt to taste
Method
1. Marinate the chicken
Mix all the marinade ingredients together.
Add the chicken and rub well to coat.
Cover and let it rest for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight in the fridge.
2. Prepare the fresh salad
Slice the red cabbage, tomatoes, and pickled gherkins.
Dress with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Keep refrigerated to stay crisp until serving.
3. Make the tahini sauce
Mix tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and yogurt until smooth and creamy.
Season with salt to taste.
4. Cook the chicken & rice
Sear the marinated chicken on both sides in a hot pan until nicely browned. Remove and set aside.
In the same pot, add the onion and let it soften. Then add the garlic and turmeric, cooking for another minute.
Add the rinsed and drained basmati rice, toasting it for 1 minute while stirring.
Pour in the hot chicken stock.
Return the chicken to the pot along with its juices.
Cover with a lid and cook over low heat until the rice has absorbed all the liquid.
Turn off the heat and let it rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
Remove the chicken, drizzle lemon juice into the rice, and fluff gently with a fork.
5. Final assembly
Slice the chicken and lay it over the rice.
Serve with the fresh salad of red cabbage, tomatoes, and pickled gherkins on the side.
Drizzle generously with tahini sauce over the chicken and salad.
Enjoy!
Dining and Cooking