Jordanian Inspired Chicken Pita

Description:

This chicken dish flavored with Arabic spices, served on a simple homemade pita, will help us remember the faithfulness that Christians bring to this Muslim country.

Serves: 4-6 People

Cook Time: 1.5 hours

INGREDIENTS FOR CHICKEN:

4 Chicken Thighs Boneless and Skinless, cut ½ inch pieces

½ tsp Ground Cumin

½ tsp Ground Turmeric

½ tsp Ground Coriander

½ tsp Ground Cinnamon

½ tsp Ground Clove

2 tsp Salt

2 tsp Black Pepper

2  Garlic Cloves Minced

½  Red Onion ¼ cuts

4-5 Cilantro Leaves Only

2 Metal Skewers (or wooden skewers soaked in water)

2 Tbsp Plain Yogurt

½  Lemon  Juiced and Zested

½ English Cucumber ¼ inch pieces

1 Roma Tomato ¼ inch pieces

How To Make:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine chicken, yogurt, lemon juice, zest, cumin, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, clove, salt, and pepper. Marinate for 10 minutes to 1 hour.
3. Skewer the chicken. Intersperse with red onions on skewers.
4. Use an oven safe grill pan, lightly oiled. Cook each side for 3 minutes or until chicken is caramelized on at least 2 sides.
5. Place the entire pan (or place chicken in an oven safe pan) in the oven and cook for 15-20 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.
6. Serve chicken in a pita with a spread of hummus and some fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and cilantro.

INGREDIENTS FOR HUMMUS:

1 Can of Chickpeas Drained and rinsed

2 Tbsp Tahini Paste

2 Garlic Cloves Minced

½ Lemon Juiced and zested

3-4 Tbsp Olive Oil (use less if preferred)

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp  Black Pepper

How To Make:

1. Combine all ingredients into a food processor or a large mixing bowl. Use an immersion blender to create a creamy paste. Add more or less oil for your desired consistency.
2. If hummus is too thick, you can add some cold water or add a few ice cubes in the blender.

INGREDIENTS FOR PITA BREAD:

1 cup Self Rising Flour (Plus, extra for dusting your work surface)

½ cup Plain Yogurt

How To Make:

1. Combine the flour and yogurt. Mix together. Knead until it forms a soft ball. Let it rest for 30 minutes in a covered container.
2. Cut the large ball into 6 equal pieces, forming 6 smaller balls.
3. Sprinkle some flour on your work surface and use a rolling pin to create thin pieces of dough from each ball.
4. Heat a nonstick frying pan and cook each pita one at a time for a few minutes on each side, until slightly golden brown with crispy bubbles.