A number of years ago, Kelly & Gilbert lived in Hartford, CT. Eric & I frequently visited them. If the purpose of the visit was to help with a project, we often stopped for lunch at a Middle Eastern grocery store/lunch counter. That lunch counter was where I was first introduced to and fell in love with falafel! These deep fried balls or patties are a popular Middle Eastern vegetarian street food, made from ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices. They have an earthy and herbaceous flavor and are crispy on the outside while being tender on the inside. They are often served in a pita with a variety of vegetables and hummus, all things that I also relish eating. Delicious!
The second I found a recipe for a falafel-inspired chicken dish that could be made at home (minus the deep frying part) I saved it to my computer. We made it for dinner twice in just a few days. Once over the very next weekend and then again in that work week. In the wise words of my brother-in-law Nick, “This is ‘make-again’ good!” I intend to make this chicken for dinner regularly!
Falafel Chicken with Hummus Slaw
Falafel Chicken with Hummus Slaw (adapted from foodnetwork.com) Total Time Required: 30 minutes, Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 15 minutes, Makes: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1-1/4 pounds boneless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup falafel mix
- 2 pita breads, halved
- 6 tablespoons hummus
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/2 teaspoon sambal oelek
- 4 cups shredded coleslaw mix
- 6 radishes, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
- kosher salt
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425º F. Set a rack on a rimmed baking sheet and coat it with cooking spray. Pound the chicken to 1/2-inch thickness and cut it into strips.
Pound the chicken and cut it into strips.
Toss the chicken with the olive oil in a large bowl. Add the falafel mix and toss them together to coat the chicken.
Coat the chicken in oil, then the falafel mix.
Arrange the chicken on the rack and bake it until it is golden and cooked through, about 12-15 minutes. While the chicken is baking, stack the pita halves and wrap them in foil. Warm the pitas in the oven, for about 5 minutes.
Bake the chicken.
Meanwhile, mix the hummus, lemon zest and juice, and sambal oelek with 3 tablespoons of water in a large bowl. Remove 2 tablespoons of the hummus sauce and reserve it for serving.
Combine the ingredients for the hummus sauce.
Add the coleslaw mix, radishes, and parsley to the remaining hummus sauce and toss it all together. Season with salt.
Put together the coleslaw.
Divide the chicken among plates and drizzle the pieces with the reserved hummus sauce. Stuff the slaw into the pitas and serve with the chicken.
This is a “Make-Again” meal!
Experiencing the food of other cultures is delightful! ~Linda
Falafel Chicken with Hummus Slaw (adapted from foodnetwork.com) Total Time Required: 30 minutes, Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 15 minutes, Makes: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1-1/4 pounds boneless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup falafel mix
- 2 pita breads, halved
- 6 tablespoons hummus
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/2 teaspoon sambal oelek
- 4 cups shredded coleslaw mix
- 6 radishes, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
- kosher salt
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425º F. Set a rack on a rimmed baking sheet and coat it with cooking spray. Pound the chicken to 1/2-inch thickness and cut it into strips.
Toss the chicken with the olive oil in a large bowl. Add the falafel mix and toss them together to coat the chicken.
Arrange the chicken on the rack and bake it until it is golden and cooked through, about 12-15 minutes. While the chicken is baking, stack the pita halves and wrap them in foil. Warm the pitas in the oven, for about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix the hummus, lemon zest and juice, and sambal oelek with 3 tablespoons of water in a large bowl. Remove 2 tablespoons of the hummus sauce and reserve it for serving. Add the coleslaw mix, radishes, and parsley to the remaining hummus sauce and toss it all together. Season with salt.
Divide the chicken among plates and drizzle the pieces with the reserved hummus sauce. Stuff the slaw into the pitas and serve with the chicken.