I could hardly wait for today to come so I could share the recipe for Chicken Shawarma Fries with Mediterranean Salsa and Garlic Sauce with you!
Now, if you’re looking at the words “Chicken Shawarma” right now and feeling unsure, don’t be. Chicken Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish that might sound unfamiliar, but the at-home preparation couldn’t be easier. Chicken breasts are marinated in everyday spices plus lemon and fresh garlic, then baked and chopped. Couldn’t be simpler, plus the flavors will bring a new taste experience to your kitchen.
We then take things a step further by topping homemade french fries with the chopped Chicken Shawarma then adding lots of fresh Mediterranean Salsa and a drizzle (read: POUR) of homemade garlic sauce. This is a french fry platter that’s going to leave you feeling light and satisfied instead of greasy and weighed down. I LOVE this flavor combination!
Let’s circle back to this dreamy garlic sauce for a moment because I’d been trying, extremely unsuccessfully I might add, to recreate one we recently tried at a local Middle Eastern restaurant, and I’m happy to report I finally found the magic combo. It is unbelievable and I promise you be drenching every single square inch of french fry with it. Paired with a fresh and crunchy Mediterranean salsa, and tangy dollops of hot sauce, you will be craving this dish until you finally cave and make it!
How to Make Chicken Shawarma
Start by marinating the chicken, which you can do 1 hour or up to 12 hours before cooking. To a large Ziplock baggie add fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, cumin, paprika, turmeric, allspice, plus cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste.
Next slice chicken breasts into 5-6 pieces each then add to a Ziplock bag and squish to evenly coat.
Spread the chicken out on a foil-lined, nonstick-sprayed baking sheet then bake for 12-15 minutes at 400 degrees, flipping halfway through. Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, cut into thin slices then wrap in foil to keep warm. Chicken Shawarma = done! Told you it was easy!
How to Make Homemade French Fries
While the chicken is baking, cut Russet potatoes into fries then spread onto another foil-lined, nonstick-sprayed baking sheet. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and a generous amount of salt and pepper then toss with your fingertips to evenly coat. Turn the heat up to 425 then roast the potatoes for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
While the potatoes are crisping, make the two Chicken Shawarma Fry toppers aka total scene stealers. Fresh Mediterranean Salsa starring chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, garlic, and lemon juice, and a four-ingredient garlic sauce that’s as easy as it is insanely delicious!
More Easy Family Favorite Recipes:
- Cheeseburger Quesadillas
- Thai Sticky Chicken Fingers
- Skillet Tater Tot Casserole
- BBQ Cheddar Mini Meatloaves
- One Pot Chicken and Rice
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Chicken Shawarma Fries with Mediterranean Salsa and Garlic Sauce
Description
Chicken Shawarma Fries with Mediterranean Salsa and Garlic Sauce are a party on a platter! Full of delicious, fresh and bold flavors.
Ingredients
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- pinch cinnamon
- pinch cayenne pepper
- salt
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed then peeled
- 1lb chicken breasts, cut into 5 or 6 strips
- 1-1/2lbs russet potatoes (about 2 large potatoes)
- hot sauce
- For the Mediterranean Salsa:
- 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, seeded then chopped
- 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded then chopped
- 1/4 small red onion, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup packed parsley, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- salt and pepper
- juice of 1/2 - 1 lemon
- For the Garlic Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (I like Hellman’s EVOO mayo)
- 1 - 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- salt
Directions
- Add lemon juice, 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, spices, and smashed garlic cloves to a large Ziplock bag then squish to combine. Add chicken, squish to coat, then marinate for 1 hour or up to 12 hours in the refrigerator.
- Slice potatoes into fries. Can be cut up to 12 hours ahead of time - store completely submerged in a glass bowl of water in the refrigerator, then drain and pat very dry with kitchen towels.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees then line a baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with nonstick spray. Spread chicken out on baking sheet then bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through, flipping halfway through. Remove to a cutting board then thinly slice once cool enough to handle. Cover with foil to keep warm.
- Turn heat up to 425 degrees then line another baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with nonstick spray. Add potatoes to baking sheet then drizzle with remaining 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Toss with your fingers to coat then spread potatoes out evenly and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown, stirring halfway through.
- Meanwhile, combine all ingredients for Mediterranean Salsa in a bowl then stir to combine and set aside. Add all ingredients for Garlic Sauce into a food processor or blender (start with 1 teaspoon lemon juice then add more if desired) then process until very smooth. Can be done ahead of time.
- Scoop fries onto a serving platter or plates then top with chicken, Mediterranean Salsa, Garlic Sauce, and hot sauce, and then serve.
Notes
- You will need 2 lemons total for this entire recipe.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Of course you could always serve the chicken over rice with the salsa, garlic sauce, and hot sauce, though I think the french fry platter is a fun way to change things up. It’s a great way to introduce little ones to new flavors too. Your children/new flavor-adverse spouse/roomies might not recognize Chicken Shawarma, but I bet they recognize french fries! This dish was a home run with Lincoln – I just chopped everything up and added it to a bowl calling it “French Fry Bowls”. However you make it, enjoy!
susan 03.22.2016
Instead of using mayo for the garlic sauce, could you use yogurt?
Carma 03.22.2016
First, I am so glad that I hadn’t finished my menu plan for this coming week because this needs to be part of my world…soon.
Second, when this came up on my FB feed, I missed who posted the picture and thought for a moment it was from Splendid Table. (I think it would be something that Lynn would be good with.)
Wallpaper, I guess I am of two minds. My bathroom has a non-design wallpaper that I am okay with. My mom did a two paint sponge technique in her downstairs bath that was cool. (She had a third paint that had a bit of gold in it that made it quite pretty.)
Valerie 03.22.2016
We used the Martha Stewart faux beadboard wallpaper for an accent wall in our bedroom. We intended on painting it dark grey to boot (everything else is bright white), but haven’t gotten around to it yet (and it looks mighty fine just plain white)…
It was idiot-proof and it’s paintable. I want to put it on all my walls!! There are other textures/patterns in this line of paper too.
Polly 03.21.2016
Oh my! This looks so mouthwatering good!
Susan 03.21.2016
Authentic Middle Eastern garlic “sauce” is called toum and is just garlic, oil, and lemon juice. It’s like the texture of mayonnaise and ridiculously delicious! Also dairy free, which is nice. Quite a bit thicker than yours, but a nice option if you want to try it.
Kristin 03.21.2016
Making toum was what I was referring to as my “extremely unsuccessful” attempts at making garlic sauce. I could NOT get the oil to emulsify! Thank goodness for mayo. ?
Susan 03.22.2016
Yeah, you probably need one of those super high speed professional food processors to get it that light and fluffy!Enough garlic in anything renders in amazingly good though. :)
GZS 03.21.2016
Do you think it would be possible to substitute yogurt or something else for the mayo?
Kristin 03.22.2016
I tend to think the flavor would overpower the garlic, but I might try it mixed with a little sour cream and garlic, leaving the lemon juice out.
susan 03.22.2016
So, just ignore my question! I should have checked the comments first :P
Kelly 03.21.2016
Wallpaper scared me off so I’m going to use wall stencils to achieve the same look. Look at Cutting Edge Stencils online for some inspiration. Plus, it’s cheap and I love a bargain. Sometime, when you are back in Minnesota for a visit, you must try Wally’s in Minneapolis and have their chicken Shawarma sandwich. It is in my top 10 sandwiches of all time. They don’t do theirs like any others I’ve had. It’s chicken, garlic mayo, French fries and pickles. If you can handle any amount of spice, ask for it spicy (they add chili garlic sauce). It is salty, a little spicy, and it.is.perfection.
JC 03.21.2016
How about going with colored tin/metal wall tiles? Get texture, color and it’s unique.
Lacey Jones 03.21.2016
I say GO FOR IT on the wallpaper. I have been wanting to add a wallpaper accent wall to our bathroom for awhile and my husband thinks I am crazy! I think its a great idea. Post some pictures if you do it!!
caslyn 03.21.2016
first of all…omg yum. i can not wait to try this recipie.
second of all, I LOVE WALLPAPER. go for it!!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious 03.21.2016
These are some of the best looking fries I’ve ever seen. I need to try this!
Ann 03.21.2016
Love Shawarma! We used to live in Toronto and my teenagers frequented Pita Nutso. In Chicago, Naf Naf is great! Wall covering is IN! about a year ago, I chose Phillip Jeffries, Juicy Jute Grass cloth in Tantalizing Teal for my family room. Great pop against my all white trim and crown molding. There are many colors and it is amazingly cool. It takes your décor up many notches. I live in the North Shore of Chicago, where every home is different, but if you live in a home that is similar to many others in your “hood”, it will truly differentiate your home! Totally worth the spend!
Sandra 03.21.2016
Love, love, love shawarma. Hands down one of my favourite foods ever! This is totally getting made ASAP.
Emily 03.21.2016
This sounds really good! I wonder if there’s a meat alternative that could get the Shawarma treatment…
Kate K. @ thesiscakes.com 03.21.2016
OH MY GOSH! I am making this tonight. It has everything I love.
Passade 03.21.2016
Looks delicious and spicy!! I cannot wait to prepare it, specially after adding Mediterranean Salsa and Garlic Sauce. It looks more tasty. Thanks Kristin for sharing this recipe :)
Stephanie 03.21.2016
This looks SO yummy – I’ve saved it to make in the coming weeks, it sounds like such a great snack food to have at parties, or to munch on during a film
Steph – http://nourishmeclean.blogspot.com
Heather Hawkins 03.21.2016
I love “wall covering”. Also our family completely enjoyed your fish taco recipe. Thanks! I enjoy your blog!
Ginny 03.21.2016
You are knocking it out of the park lately! So much good stuff I can’t wait to try!
Vivian | stayaliveandcooking 03.21.2016
I love this: we made pizza fries last week and this sounds just as delicious!
We had a very low-key weekend as well: no basketball but just hanging around and enjoying each others’ company. Wallpaper is definitely a Yay for me: if you’re done with it you just take it off and cover the walls with a different colour!