Arabic Food

Palestinian Msakhan Chicken

This is one of the best Palestinian receipes, but it is known all over the arab world because it is very delicious. The receipe is for 4 persons and require about 1h30 for preparation and cooking.

Ingredients :

• 1 chicken (about 1 kg \ 32 oz) , cleaned and boned
• 1 teaspoon salt (as desired)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• a dash of olive oil
• 1/2 cup of vegetable oil and butter mixture
• 3/4 cup roughly chopped onion
• 3 tablespoon ground sumac
• 1 large pitta (30 cm diameter), opened (makes 2 pieces)

Steps :

1. Rub cleaned chicken inside and out with salt and pepper. Fry in hot oil and butter over medium heat, turn on all sides to brown. Place in a plate.
2. Fry onions in remaining oil mixture. Add sumac, stirring for 2 minutes. Add olive oil and remove mixture. Place 1 pitta piece in a tray, spread in the middle 1/2 quantity of onion mixture, put chicken over onion mixture. Top with remaining onions, cover with the second pitta piece (face inside part of bread downward). Sprinkle some water on bread.
3. Bake in a moderate heat oven (180°C) till tender (if pitta starts to burn, cover with aluminium foil).
4. Serve hot with its bread. Cut into several pieces.