Go Back

Shawarma Chicken

A delicious and flavorful Middle Eastern dish featuring marinated chicken, perfect for serving in pita, over rice, or in a salad.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 280

Ingredients
  

For the Marinade
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp coriander
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
For the Chicken
  • 2 lbs chicken thighs
For Serving
  • Pita bread for serving
  • Fresh vegetables (tomato, cucumber, lettuce)
  • Tahini sauce or garlic sauce for drizzling

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine minced garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice to create a flavorful marinade.
  2. Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, making sure they are fully coated. Cover and let them marinate for at least 1 hour, but for the best flavor, marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
Cooking
  1. Preheat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat until it’s hot.
  2. Place the marinated chicken thighs on the grill or skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until they are fully cooked and golden brown on the outside.
  3. Remove the chicken from the grill, placing it on a cutting board. Allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly against the grain.
Serving
  1. Serve the sliced chicken in warm pita bread, topped with fresh vegetables and your choice of sauce.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to the marinade. Consider variations such as using marinated tofu for a vegetarian version or experimenting with serving styles like rice bowls or salads.