If the never-ending queues in front of their Halal Carts are not evidence enough of their success, Halal Guys have made it big with their street-style meals that’ll have you drooling just by the smell. They started with humble beginnings in NYC back in 1990, when the three Egyptian founders decided to sell authentic halal food instead of operating a hot dog stall. Since then, their business has been booming, and this recipe for their famous ‘Chicken and Gyro over Rice Bowl’ is sure to prove to you exactly why they’re worth all the hype.
Start off by marinating the chicken. For this, you’ll need to add olive oil, lemon juice, white vinegar, soya sauce, black pepper, pink salt, brown sugar, sumac, turmeric, oregano powder, cumin powder, ginger powder, paprika powder, and minced garlic in a large bowl. Combine until both the wet and dry ingredients are well-mixed, and soak your chicken breasts in this mixture. Cover the bowl with cling wrap and let the chicken marinate for 2 to 3 hours. This essential step will make all those rich and strong flavors soak into the meat and make it even juicer and tender. Once done, coat a medium skillet with olive oil and cook the chicken on each side for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and chop into bite-sized pieces once cooled. For extra flavor and char, stir the chopped chicken in the same skillet for 2 to 3 minutes.
Next up, almost everybody loves their signature creamy and savory white sauce. It’s a simple yet iconic recipe made using sour cream, mayonnaise, black pepper, kosher salt, sugar, lemon juice, white vinegar, garlic spread, and a few tablespoons of water. Finally, their iconic yellow basmati rice is made by melting together unsalted butter, turmeric, cumin, salt, and pepper in a pot.
Next, wash and soak your rice before adding them to the pot. Pour in chicken broth, let the rice simmer, and cook it for 15 minutes. Once the excess water has evaporated, remove the pot from the heat and start plating your food.
