Shawarma Djaj -- Chicken Shawarma (Lebanon -- Middle East)

Ingredients

• 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup onion, thinly sliced
• 1 lemon, juice of
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil (a 'scant' 1/2 cup)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon salt, to taste
• 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
• 4 pita bread, oval
• 4 tablespoons garlic sauce (see Thum -- Garlic Sauce (Lebanon -- Middle East) #373997)
• 2 small tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 gherkins, thinly sliced lengthwise
• 2 tablespoons mint, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley, finely chopped

Directions

1. 1

   In a mixing bowl, combine chicken breasts with 1/2 cup of onion, lemon juice, olive oil & spices, then add the thyme before adding the salt to taste.

2. 2

   Stir well & then let marinate, covered, in the refrigerator for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

3. 3

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, then place chicken breasts in a roasting pan & bake for 25-30 minutes or until done.

4. 4

   Remove from the oven & shred the chicken into slivers.

5. 5

   Open oval pitas at the seam to create a large pocket, then spread a tablespoon of garlic sauce on the bottom half before filling each pits with equal amounts of sandwich ingredients (i.e. chicken, tomato, onion, gherkins, mint & parsley).

6. 6

   Wrap the bottom of the 'sandwiches' with a napkin & serve immediately.