The life of a foodie isn’t easy. Not that I’m complaining but a real foodie must be always on the lookout for new and interesting dishes. One of these dishes, chicken musakhan rolls, I had for the first time in Memphis. Despite the challenges, such as the chef giving me a hard time, I finally managed to add another winning recipe to my collection. Consequently, here is the story.
As a passionate food enthusiast, I am constantly searching for interesting and innovative dining experiences. Therefore, when I had the opportunity to take a trip to Memphis, Tennessee recently, I was very happy. This historic city did not disappoint. Each restaurant offered something unique and delicious that made my palate sing. From classic southern BBQ to exotic fusion cuisine, Memphis had it all – an extraordinary culinary journey I will never forget!
One evening, my family and I ventured out to a local Middle Eastern restaurant that we heard had some of the most delicious chicken musakhan rolls. Consequently, we were all excited to try them out and see what they had to offer.
Once we sat down, the waiter quickly arrived with a tray of steaming hot chicken musakhan rolls that filled the entire room with their tantalizing aroma. Their delicious smell simply amazed me and couldn’t wait to start eating! The cook had cooked the succulent pieces of chicken to perfection and lovingly wrapped them in soft and light pita bread to create delectable rolls. The flavor combinations were simply divine, the tenderness of the chicken combining perfectly with the comforting texture of the freshly-made pocket bread. The flavor, an exquisite blend of sweet and savory spices that harmonized wonderfully with the chicken, packed the succulent filling. The combination tantalized the taste buds, creating a delectable experience that lingered on the palate.
Just as we were about to tuck into our eagerly anticipated meal, disaster struck. A fire erupted in the kitchen. This unexpected disaster stunned and dismayed us. The restaurant staff acted swiftly, and they brought the fire under control within a few short minutes. Despite the commotion and disruption caused by the incident, our food was fortunately unaffected. This enabled us to carry on enjoying our meal without interruption.
After the excitement died down, I asked the waiter if I could speak to the chef who made the chicken musakhan rolls. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the chef – an elderly Middle Eastern man with a wealth of experience and expertise. He had been preparing these delicious, authentic rolls for many years, much to my astonishment. I asked for the recipe, desiring to replicate the dish in my own kitchen, however, he let me down when he declined to provide it to me.
A few days later, I was on a mission to recreate this recipe. I searched and experimented with many versions until I found a winner.
The ingredients for chicken musakhan rolls include chicken legs, onions, sumac, allspice, cinnamon, salt, black pepper, olive oil, parsley, and pita bread.
The chicken legs are the star of the dish, providing a tender and flavorful protein source that’s seasoned with a blend of Middle Eastern spices including sumac, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. The spices not only add flavor but also help to tenderize the meat, making it juicy and succulent.
Caramelized onions are also a key component of this dish, providing a sweet and savory filling that’s mixed with shredded chicken and fresh parsley. The onions are sliced thinly and cooked until they’re soft and golden brown, giving them a deep, rich flavor that complements the spices in the chicken.
Other essential ingredients include olive oil, which is used to brush on the pita bread before baking, adding richness and flavor to the rolls, and sumac, a tangy and lemony spice that’s commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine. Finally, the rolls are wrapped in soft, pillowy pita bread that’s baked until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, creating a delicious and satisfying meal.
If you’re looking to serve this dish at a party, you could pair it with other Middle Eastern dishes like hummus, tabbouleh, or baba ganoush. Or, for a heartier meal, you could serve the rolls with a side of rice pilaf or roasted vegetables.
In the end, this chicken musakhan rolls recipe has become a favorite in my household, and I’ll always remember the kind old woman who shared it with me during that chaotic night in the restaurant.
So here is the recipe for that satisfying dish I’m sure you’d enjoy:
Ingredients:
- 3 to 4 whole chicken legs
- 8 to 10 small onions
- 1/3 cup of sumac, plus extra for garnish
- 1 teaspoon of allspice
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil, plus extra for brushing on pita bread
- 1 cup of tightly packed parsley
- 3 pieces of 8-inch pita bread
How to make chicken musakhan rolls?
- To start, place the chicken legs in boiling water with a pinch of salt. When cooked through, shred the meat and discard the bones. (A nice addition would be to use the broth to make soup!)
- Cut the onions into thin slices and fry in olive oil for 10 to 15 minutes until they are softened and caramelized.
- Mix the shredded chicken with the onions, seasoning it with all the spices. Cook for a few minutes to let the flavors combine. Taste and adjust as needed – I usually add more salt and like mine tart with plenty of sumac.
- Mince the parsley and incorporate it into the chicken mixture.
- Split each pita bread by gently opening it in a crosswise direction to make two halves. After adding the filling to each pita, brush the outside with olive oil. Roll them up and place seam side down on a lined baking sheet. Do this for all of them, then top off with more sumac.
- Set your oven to 350 ℉ (180 ℃) and cook for around 15-20 minutes until they are golden brown. If you need a crunchier top, put them under the broiler for a few minutes.
- Top your dish off with a sprinkle of parsley and accompany it with a salad or soup. Bon appétit!
This dish is pretty quick to make. In less than one hour you can have rolls that will award you with compliments and raving responses. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I did!
