Description
Chicken Shawarma brings Middle Eastern street food magic straight to your kitchen with tender, spice-packed chicken that delivers bold flavors. Wrap this juicy goodness in warm pita or pile it on a salad for a quick dinner that’ll make your taste buds dance.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup garlic cloves
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 cup neutral oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ tablespoons ice water
Instructions
- Combine 1 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and all ground spices in a large mixing bowl. Whisk the marinade until completely smooth and blended.
- Add 2 pounds chicken thighs to the marinade. Massage the mixture thoroughly to coat each piece evenly. Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Remove chicken from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature. This helps ensure even cooking.
- For grilling, heat your grill or heavy skillet to medium-high (around 400°F). Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels to remove excess marinade.
- Grill chicken thighs for 5-6 minutes per side, rotating once. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer.
- For oven roasting, preheat to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
- Arrange marinated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet, keeping space between them. Roast for 25-30 minutes.
- Halfway through cooking, flip chicken pieces to ensure even browning. During final 2-3 minutes, switch oven to broil for crispy exterior edges.
- Let cooked chicken rest for 5-7 minutes before slicing. This helps retain juices and makes cutting easier.
Notes
- Marinating overnight dramatically enhances the chicken’s flavor, so plan ahead if possible.
- For gluten-free diets, ensure all spices and yogurt are certified gluten-free and check ingredient labels carefully.
- If grilling, use tongs to turn chicken and prevent piercing the meat, which can cause juices to escape and dry out the chicken.
- For a lighter version, swap chicken thighs with chicken breasts, but reduce cooking time to prevent overcooking and maintain tenderness.
- Prep Time: 12 hours 37 minutes
- Cook Time: 33 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 372 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 517 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg