Chicken Shawarma Recipe

Chicken Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern street food that’s flavorful, tender, and incredibly aromatic. With the right blend of spices and a few easy steps, you can recreate this authentic dish in your kitchen.

In this article, I’ll walk you through how to make chicken shawarma from scratch, the best marinades, cooking methods, and tips for creating the perfect meal. If you love Middle Eastern flavors, this dish will soon become a favorite in your recipe rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Shawarma Recipe

• Bursting with Flavor: The marinade is packed with garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and cinnamon, giving each bite a delicious, smoky depth.
• Versatile: You can serve chicken shawarma in various ways: wrapped in pita bread, over rice, or in a salad.
• Easy to Make at Home: With just a few ingredients and simple cooking methods, you can enjoy authentic shawarma without a rotisserie.
• Healthy and Nutritious: Chicken shawarma is rich in protein and can be part of a balanced meal with vegetables and whole grains.

Ingredients for Chicken Shawarma

Making authentic chicken shawarma requires a few simple ingredients that you may already have in your pantry. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

Marinade Ingredients:

• Chicken Thighs or Breasts (2 pounds): Thighs are preferred for their juiciness, but breasts work too.
• Olive Oil (¼ cup): Helps distribute the spices evenly and adds richness.
• Lemon Juice (2 tablespoons): Adds acidity, tenderizing the meat and enhancing the flavors.
• Garlic (4-5 cloves, minced): Essential for a bold, aromatic flavor.
• Ground Cumin (2 teaspoons): Adds earthy depth.
• Ground Coriander (2 teaspoons): Offers a warm, citrusy note.
• Ground Paprika (2 teaspoons): Provides color and a mild sweetness.
• Ground Turmeric (1 teaspoon): Adds a golden hue and subtle bitterness.
• Ground Cinnamon (½ teaspoon): For a warm, sweet-spicy undertone.
• Ground Cardamom (½ teaspoon): Adds complexity to the flavor profile.
• Ground Black Pepper (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the other spices.
• Salt (1 ½ teaspoons): Essential for seasoning.

To Serve:

• Pita Bread or flatbreads
• Fresh Vegetables: Cucumber, tomato, and lettuce.
• Tahini Sauce or Garlic Sauce
• Pickled Vegetables: Such as pickles or turnips for added crunch and acidity.
• Rice or Salad: As a base for the shawarma if you prefer a low-carb option.

How to Make Chicken Shawarma: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Marinade

1. Mix the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, and salt.
2. Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs or breasts to the bowl, making sure each piece is well-coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight for deeper flavor.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

You can cook chicken shawarma in the oven, on the grill, or in a skillet. Here are the instructions for each method:

Oven-Baked Chicken Shawarma:

1. Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Arrange Chicken on a Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and place the marinated chicken in a single layer.
3. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is golden and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Flip halfway through for even cooking.
4. Rest and Slice: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing it thinly against the grain.

Grilled Chicken Shawarma:

1. Preheat the Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high.
2. Grill the Chicken: Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until charred and fully cooked. Make sure to achieve those delicious grill marks for added flavor.
3. Rest and Slice: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice thinly.

Skillet Method:

1. Heat a Large Skillet: Over medium-high heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil.
2. Cook the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken in the skillet, cooking for 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked and golden brown.
3. Rest and Slice: Allow the chicken to rest before slicing it into thin strips.

Step 3: Assemble the Shawarma Wraps

1. Warm the Pita Bread: You can lightly toast the pita or flatbread in a skillet or on the grill.
2. Layer with Chicken: Add sliced chicken shawarma to the center of the pita bread.
3. Top with Vegetables: Pile on fresh vegetables like cucumber, tomato, lettuce, and pickles for crunch and freshness.
4. Add Sauce: Drizzle tahini sauce or garlic sauce over the top for added creaminess and flavor.
5. Wrap or Fold: Roll the pita around the filling and enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Chicken Shawarma

Achieving authentic chicken shawarma flavor at home is easier with these helpful tips:

1. Marinate for Maximum Flavor

The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful it will be. Aim for at least 1 hour, but overnight is best. The acidic lemon juice helps tenderize the meat while the spices deeply penetrate.

2. Use Chicken Thighs for Juiciness

While chicken breasts work in this recipe, thighs are ideal because they are more flavorful and stay juicy during cooking. If using breasts, be careful not to overcook them.

3. Don’t Skip the Resting Period

Letting the cooked chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing helps the juices redistribute, making the meat more tender and flavorful.

4. Char for Authentic Flavor

Whether you’re using the grill or oven, try to get a slight char on the chicken. This mimics the crispy bits you’d find in traditionally cooked shawarma and adds a smoky depth to the flavor.

5. Serve with a Variety of Sides

Chicken shawarma is incredibly versatile. Serve it in wraps, with rice, or over a salad. Don’t forget the pickles and tahini or garlic sauce!

Variations of Chicken Shawarma

While the classic chicken shawarma recipe is delicious on its own, there are plenty of ways to customize it:

1. Chicken Shawarma Salad

For a low-carb option, serve the sliced chicken shawarma over a bed of greens. Add cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and a light lemon dressing for a refreshing meal.

2. Chicken Shawarma Rice Bowl

Create a hearty rice bowl by serving the shawarma over basmati rice, with a side of hummus and roasted vegetables.

3. Spicy Chicken Shawarma

Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the marinade for an extra kick. Top the wrap with a spicy garlic sauce for more heat.

4. Shawarma Platter

Serve chicken shawarma alongside tabbouleh, hummus, baba ganoush, and warm pita for a full Mediterranean feast.

5. Vegan Shawarma

For a plant-based version, substitute chicken with marinated and roasted chickpeas or cauliflower. The same marinade works beautifully for vegetables!

Conclusion

With this chicken shawarma recipe, you can easily bring the rich, bold flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine to your kitchen. The aromatic spices and tender chicken make it a crowd-pleaser, and its versatility ensures there’s a way for everyone to enjoy it.

Happy cooking! For more recipes, click here!