Palestinian Musakhan Recipe

[clintonbee]

I recently made Palestinian Musakhan, and it was a wonderfully aromatic and flavorful dish! This traditional recipe features sumac-spiced chicken, caramelized onions, and pine nuts, all served on warm, freshly baked flatbread. Here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients:​

For the Chicken:​

• 1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds), cut into pieces
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup sumac
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2-3 pieces of flatbread (Taboon bread or pita)
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions:​

1. Prepare the Chicken:​

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Rub the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, pepper, ground allspice, and ground cinnamon.
• Place the chicken on a baking sheet and roast for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crispy.

2. Caramelize the Onions:​

• While the chicken is roasting, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and caramelized, about 25-30 minutes.
• Stir in the sumac towards the end of the cooking time.

3. Toast the Pine Nuts:​

• In a small dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts until they are golden brown. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent burning. Set aside.

4. Assemble the Musakhan:​

• Once the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.
• Place the flatbread on a large serving platter or individual plates.
• Spread the caramelized onions evenly over the flatbread.
• Arrange the roasted chicken pieces on top of the onions.
• Sprinkle the toasted pine nuts and chopped fresh parsley over the chicken.

5. Serve:​

• Serve the Musakhan with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the top.
• Enjoy it warm, ideally with your hands, for an authentic experience.

Conclusion​

Palestinian Musakhan is a delicious and aromatic dish that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends. The combination of sumac-spiced chicken, sweet caramelized onions, and crunchy pine nuts on warm flatbread is simply irresistible. Give this recipe a try and bring a taste of Palestine to your table!