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Dajaj Mashwi (Libyan Grilled Chicken)

Dajaj Mashwi (Libyan Grilled Chicken): a sourced grill recipe with measured ingredients and cooking instructions. Pack a cooler for perishables.

Community rating
Added October 9, 2026
Dajaj Mashwi (Libyan Grilled Chicken)

Photo: Ayyappannagamani · CC BY-SA 4.0. Source-recipe food photograph; not a Wild10 cooking-test photo.

Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients

  • •4 cloves of garlic , minced
  • •¼ cup olive oil
  • •2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • •2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • •2 teaspoons ground paprika
  • •1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • •½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (adjust according to spice preference)
  • •½ teaspoon salt
  • •¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • •1 whole chicken , cut into pieces
  • •Fresh parsley or cilantro , chopped , for garnish
  • •Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. 1In a mixing bowl, combine the minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, ground cumin, paprika, coriander, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to form a smooth marinade .
  2. 2Place the chicken pieces in the marinade and rub them well, ensuring that each piece is coated with the marinade. Let the chicken marinate for at least 2–4 hours, allowing the flavors to infuse.
  3. 3Preheat the grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
  4. 4Place the marinated chicken pieces on the grill, skin side down. Cook for about 10–15 minutes, then flip the pieces and continue grilling for another 10–15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and nicely charred.
  5. 5While grilling, use a basting brush to brush any remaining marinade onto the chicken for added flavor and moisture.
  6. 6Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes.
  7. 7Garnish the dajaj mashwi with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro, and serve it with lemon wedges on the side.

Camp tips

  • • You can use bone-in chicken pieces or boneless chicken, depending on your preference. Adjust the grilling time accordingly.
  • • For a smokier flavor, you can add a small amount of soaked wood chips to the grill.
  • • Ensure that the grill or grill pan is well preheated to achieve nice grill marks and prevent the chicken from sticking.
  • • If using a charcoal grill, arrange the coals to create two zones: direct heat for searing and indirect heat for slower cooking. Start grilling the chicken over direct heat and then move it to the indirect heat zone to finish cooking.
  • • For a spicier kick, add additional cayenne pepper or chile powder to the marinade.
  • • Serve the dajaj mashwi with a side of traditional Libyan dips such as baba ganoush or hummus .
  • • Keep perishables at 40°F (4°C) or below in a monitored cooler. Discard food left above that temperature for over 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C). Use potable water, wash hands, and pack out scraps. Never cook inside a tent. Check local fire restrictions. Cook poultry to 165°F (74°C), checked with a food thermometer.

Food safety & trail facts

Keep perishables at 40°F (4°C) or below in a monitored cooler. Discard food left above that temperature for over 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C). Use potable water, wash hands, and pack out scraps. Never cook inside a tent. Check local fire restrictions. Cook poultry to 165°F (74°C), checked with a food thermometer.

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