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Chicken Shawarma

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🍗 Discover the authentic flavors of the Middle East with this Chicken Shawarma recipe featuring a fragrant and vibrant spice blend.
🌯 This quick and easy recipe offers juicy, perfectly charred chicken that’s ideal for wraps, plates, or sharing with family and friends.

  • Total Time: 20 minutes (excluding marinating)
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

– 1 kg (2 lb) boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets

– 1 large garlic clove, minced

– 1 tablespoon ground coriander

– 1 tablespoon ground cumin

– 1 tablespoon ground cardamom

– 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

– 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

– 2 teaspoons salt

– Black pepper to taste

– 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

– 3 tablespoons olive oil

– 1 cup Greek yogurt

– 1 garlic clove, crushed

– 1 teaspoon cumin

– Squeeze of lemon juice

– Salt and pepper to taste

– 4 to 5 Lebanese or pita breads or homemade soft flatbreads

– Sliced lettuce (cos or iceberg)

– Tomato slices

– Finely sliced red onion

– Shredded cheese (optional)

– Hot sauce of choice (optional)

Instructions

1-First, start by preparing the chicken. Trim any excess fat from the 1 kg of boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets and cut them into thin strips if you like. In a large ziplock bag, combine the marinade ingredients: 1 large minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon ground coriander, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 tablespoon ground cardamom, 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons salt, black pepper to taste, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, and 3 tablespoons olive oil. Add the chicken to the bag, seal it while squeezing out the air, and give it a good massage to coat everything evenly. Pop it in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours that’s how you get those deep, authentic flavors, though 3 hours works if you’re in a rush.

2-Next, whip up the yogurt sauce while the chicken marinates. Mix 1 cup Greek yogurt with 1 crushed garlic clove, 1 teaspoon cumin, a squeeze of lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and chill it for at least 20 minutes to let the flavors blend. This sauce adds a cool, creamy contrast to the spiced chicken and makes your meal feel complete. For more ideas on pairing sauces, you might check out our chicken shawarma wrap ideas on the blog.

3-Now, it’s time to cook. Heat a large non-stick skillet or BBQ grill to medium-high brush it with a bit of oil if needed. Cook the marinated chicken for 4 to 5 minutes on one side until it’s nicely charred, then flip and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken and let it rest for about 5 minutes under loose foil so the juices settle in. Finally, slice the chicken if you want and serve it on a platter with the flatbreads, salad fixings, and that yogurt sauce. Everyone can build their own wraps, making it a fun family activity. For grilling tips or variations, a quick look at our shawarma wrap recipes can add even more inspiration.

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Notes

🍖 Use chicken thighs for juiciness and caramelization; substitute breasts thinly sliced for quicker cooking if preferred.
🌿 Cardamom brings an essential citrusy pine note that defines authentic shawarma flavor.
🔥 Adjust cayenne pepper to control spiciness; it’s optional and can be omitted if desired.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Marinating time: 3-24 hours
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Marinating, Grilling, Pan-cooking
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 275 kcal
  • Sodium: 918 mg
  • Fat: 16.2 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 1.1 g
  • Protein: 32.9 g
  • Cholesterol: 140 mg