Pakistani Shawarma Recipe | Traditional Street Food

 

Pakistani Shawarma Recipe

Introduction:

Pakistani Street Food Shawarma

Pakistani Shawarma is a delicious and popular street food that has gained immense popularity due to its rich flavors and satisfying taste. Unlike the traditional Middle Eastern Shawarma, the Pakistani version is often spiced up with local ingredients, making it a must-try for food lovers.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 500g boneless chicken (cut into thin strips)
• 2 tablespoons yogurt
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil

For the Garlic Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons yogurt
• 1 tablespoon garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Salt to taste

For Assembling:

• 4 pita breads or shawarma wraps
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumbers
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced onions
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup pickled vegetables (optional)
• Green chutney (optional)

Instructions:

1. Marinating the Chicken:

   • In a large bowl, combine yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, black pepper, lemon juice, and salt.
   • Add the chicken strips to the marinade and mix well to ensure the chicken is fully coated.
   • Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.

2. Cooking the Chicken:

   • Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
   • Add the marinated chicken strips and cook until the chicken is tender and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
   • Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and to prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan.
   • Once cooked, remove from heat and set aside.

3. Preparing the Garlic Sauce:

   • In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, yogurt, garlic paste, lemon juice, and salt.
   • Mix until smooth and creamy. Adjust the seasoning if needed.

4. Assembling the Shawarma:

   • Warm the pita bread or shawarma wraps on a skillet or in the oven.
   • Spread a generous amount of garlic sauce on each bread.
   • Place a portion of the cooked chicken in the center of the bread.
   • Top with shredded cabbage, sliced cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, and pickled vegetables.
   • Drizzle some green chutney for an extra kick (optional).
   • Roll the bread tightly to form a wrap, securing it with foil or parchment paper if necessary.

5. Serving:

   • Serve the Pakistani Shawarma hot, with additional garlic sauce or chutney on the side.