Quick Recipe for Delicious and Crispy Turkish Chicken Börek

How to Prepare Turkish Chicken Börek

1. Preparing the Börek Filling

The first step in preparing Turkish Chicken Börek is to make the filling. Heat a pan and add 3–4 tablespoons of oil. Once the oil is warm, add the chopped onion and sauté for about a minute. When the onion softens slightly, add the ground chicken and stir over high heat until all the excess liquid evaporates. Then, add tomato paste, salt, paprika, crushed red pepper, cumin, lemon juice, chopped green chili, and finely chopped cilantro. Mix everything well. Finally, turn off the heat and let the filling cool.

2. Assembling the Turkish Börek

In this step, mix one and a half eggs, a quarter cup of milk, and oil thoroughly to prepare the brushing mixture for the layers. Separately, mix the remaining egg with milk to use as the final coating.

Take a baking dish and grease it lightly with oil. Place one sheet of phyllo dough in the dish and brush it with the prepared mixture. Add a layer of the chicken filling on top of the phyllo dough. Cover the filling with another phyllo sheet, brush it with the mixture, and add another layer of filling. Continue layering the dough and filling alternately until all the ingredients are used, ensuring that the final layer is phyllo dough.

For the top layer, brush generously with the mixture of egg and milk prepared earlier.

Tip: You can shape the Börek in various styles, but the layered method described here is the simplest and quickest to prepare.

3. Baking the Börek

3. Baking the Börek

In the final step of preparing Turkish chicken börek, cut it into your desired serving sizes using a knife. Place it in a preheated oven at 175°C (347°F) and bake for 20–25 minutes or until it turns a golden brown. Your chicken börek is now ready to serve.

Tips for Preparing Chicken Börek

Making chicken börek is a delightful cooking experience, but to ensure it tastes as authentic as Turkish börek, follow these essential tips. Don’t worry—we've got everything you need to know for creating a perfect homemade börek.

Shaping the Börek: Get Creative!

One of the appealing aspects of börek is the variety of shapes you can create. You can roll it into cylinders, layer it, fold it like samosas, or shape it into triangles. Each form offers a unique appearance and texture to your börek.

Cooking Methods for Turkish Börek: Oven, Pan, or Pot?

While chicken börek is typically baked in an oven, you can also prepare it in a pan or pot if an oven is unavailable. Just adjust the heat carefully to ensure the börek doesn’t burn and cooks evenly.

Using Different Types of Cheese for Börek

In Turkey, various cheeses are commonly used in börek recipes. You can experiment with different options, such as cream cheese or mozzarella, to add a unique flavor to your börek.

By following these simple tips, you can create a delicious and professional-quality homemade börek. So, roll up your sleeves and enjoy the cooking process!

How to Store Turkish Börek

It's best to consume börek fresh after baking, but you can store it for up to three days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

If you prefer to freeze it, wrap the börek tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then place it in an airtight container. Frozen börek can be stored for up to one month.

Reheating Turkish Börek

If your börek is frozen, do not thaw it, as the dough may become soggy. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For refrigerated börek, the reheating time will be shorter. Avoid reheating börek in the microwave, as this will soften the dough and ruin its texture.