Musakhan
 | |
| Course | Meal |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Palestine |
| Region or state | Levant |
| Associated cuisine | Palestinian, Levantine |
| Main ingredients | Chicken, sumac, onion, taboon bread, olive oil |
Musakhan (Arabic: مسخّن, lit. 'something that is [re]heated'),[1] also known as muhammar (Arabic: محمّر, lit. 'reddish'), is a Palestinian dish composed of roasted chicken baked with onions, sumac, allspice, saffron, and fried pine nuts served over taboon bread. Originating in the Tulkarm and Jenin area,[2] musakhan is often considered the national dish of Palestine. The dish is particularly popular among Palestinians and Jordanians.[3] It is also eaten by Druze in the Galilee, especially around Iksal and Sandala, and in the Triangle.[4][5] The dish can be found in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan as well.[3] The dish owes its name to the practice of Palestinian farmers reheating old taboon bread and make it taste better.[6]
History
The exact origin of the dish is unclear, references to it are found in Palestinian folk songs from the 19th-century.[7]
Some sources state that the dish was created by mistake, where in communal ovens that were dug into the ground, ingredients like chicken and bread were frequently placed next to one another to cook simultaneously, and eventually came to be placed on top of one another.[8]
Different versions of the dish have existed for 150 years.[8]
Preparation
Musakhan is simple to make and the ingredients needed are easily obtainable, which may account for the dish's popularity. Many of the ingredients used—olive oil, sumac and pine nuts—are staples of Palestinian cuisine. The dish is typically eaten with one's hands. It is usually presented with the chicken on top of the bread, and could be served with soup.[9][7]
Some versions will shape the dish into rolls rather than the traditional layered setup, with thin saj bread instead of the much thicker taboon bread.[10][7]
World records
On April 20, 2010, the largest ever dish of musakhan was prepared in Ramallah and was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records.[11] Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayad described it as a great achievement and honor for the Palestinian people: "This great achievement completely depended on Palestinian products, mainly olive oil. It also has a cultural dimension and a Palestinian message to the world that they want their legitimate rights."[12] The total diameter of the musakhan loaf was 4 meters, with a total weight of 1,350 kg. Forty Palestinian cooks made use of 250 kg of flour, 170 kg of olive oil, 500 kg of onions and 70 kg of almonds.
See also
References
- ^ "Msakhan (Palestinian Flatbreads with Onion, Sumac, and Roast Chicken) Recipe".
- ^ Albala, Ken. Food Cultures of the World Encyclopedia [4 volumes]: [Four Volumes]. p. 293.
- ^ a b Ghillie Basan (January 2007). The Middle Eastern Kitchen. Hippocrene Books. pp. 189–. ISBN 978-0-7818-1190-3.
- ^ Trevor Mostyn (1983). Jordan: A Meed Practical Guide. Middle East Economic Digest Limited. ISBN 978-0-9505211-8-3.
- ^ Haaretz (10 November 2014). "After Death Threats, Palestinian Food-serving U.S. Restaurant Closes". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- ^ Kassis, Reem (2023). We Are Palestinian: A Celebration of Culture and Tradition. Bonnier Books Ltd. ISBN 9781800783287.
- ^ a b c Kassis, Reem. "Msakhan (Palestinian Flatbreads With Onion, Sumac, and Roast Chicken) Recipe". Serious Eats. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ a b Yassky-Weiss, Eyal (30 January 2018). "The Musakhan Queens of Ramallah". TASTE. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ Tamimi, Sami. "Chicken Musakhan". Another Pantry. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "'Every dish on our menu is a memory made real': Dubai-based food author crafts unique culinary experience". Khaleej Times. 16 Jan 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ Amjad Rafiq (2010-04-10). "Palestinian 'musakhan' to enter Guinness record book". Archived from the original on 2017-10-12. Retrieved 2017-11-29.; "الفلسطينيون يدخلون "غينيس" بأكبر رغيف مسخن في العالم" [Palestinians enter Guinness World Records with the world's largest 'Musakhan']. 20 April 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-04-23.
- ^ "Palestinian largest "Musakhan "enters the world Guinness book". Baheth Center. 2010-04-20. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011.
