Tuzda tavuk

Tuzda tavuk is a traditional dish originating from the Hatay region. The dish is made by stuffing a whole chicken with a combination of rice and selected spices and seasonings, depending on the cook. Once stuffed, the whole bird is covered with wet salt so that it forms a crust. It is then placed into a wood-fired oven or a furnace and baked for up to two hours until fully cooked and tender. Once taken out of the furnace, the salt crust is cracked with a hammer in front of the patrons, making it a visually attractive dish that's nowadays prepared in restaurants across the region and outside of it.