What is Chicken Shawarma and where does it come from?

Chicken Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish made by marinating thinly sliced chicken in a blend of spices and cooking it on a vertical rotisserie or grill. Traditionally, the spiced meat is shaved off as it cooks, creating tender, flavorful slices. Shawarma can be served wrapped in flatbreads with vegetables and sauces or plated with rice and salad. It originated as street food popular across the Middle East and has since spread worldwide.

What ingredients do I need to make authentic Chicken Shawarma at home?

To prepare authentic Chicken Shawarma, you’ll need boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and a mix of spices including ground coriander, cumin, cardamom, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Cardamom is especially important for its distinctive flavor. The chicken is marinated for several hours to absorb these spices before cooking.

What sauces pair best with Chicken Shawarma?

Chicken Shawarma is commonly served with tahini sauce, made from sesame paste, or a lemon garlic yogurt sauce, which is popular in many recipes. The yogurt sauce typically includes Greek yogurt, garlic, cumin, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, offering a fresh and tangy contrast to the spiced chicken. These sauces add moisture and balance the flavors in shawarma wraps or plates.

How should I cook Chicken Shawarma if I don’t have a vertical rotisserie?

If you don’t have a vertical rotisserie, you can still cook Chicken Shawarma by pan-frying, grilling, or baking the marinated chicken. Cook the chicken on medium-high heat until it’s nicely charred and cooked through, usually about 12-15 minutes depending on thickness. Let the cooked chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing or shredding for serving.

What are easy ways to serve Chicken Shawarma for gatherings?

Chicken Shawarma is ideal for gatherings because it can be made in large batches and set up as a wrap or plate station. Offer flatbreads, fresh vegetables like tomatoes and lettuce, yogurt or tahini sauce, and optional sides like rice or fries. This allows guests to customize their meals. The dish also travels well and can be made ahead, making it convenient for parties.

Chicken Shawarma Recipe With Authentic Middle Eastern Spices

Name: Chicken Shawarma
Prep time: PT-494080H1M42S
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: – 1 kg (≈2 lb) boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets; – 1 large garlic clove, minced (or 2 small cloves); – 1 tbsp ground coriander; – 1 tbsp ground cumin; – 1 tbsp ground cardamom; – 1 tsp ground cayenne pepper (reduce to 1/2 tsp for milder heat); – 2 tsp smoked paprika; – 2 tsp salt; – Black pepper, to taste; – 2, crushed (note: ensure this is prepared as per your garlic needs); – 1 tsp ground cumin; – A squeeze of lemon juice; – Salt andoptional)

Ingredients

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

– 1 large garlic clove, minced (or 2 small cloves)

– 1 tbsp ground coriander

– 1 tbsp ground cumin

– 1 tbsp ground cardamom

– 1 tsp ground cayenne pepper (reduce to 1/2 tsp for milder heat)

– 2 tsp smoked paprika

– 2 tsp salt

– Black pepper, to taste

– 2, crushed (note: ensure this is prepared as per your garlic needs)

– 1 tsp ground cumin

– A squeeze of lemon juice

– Salt andoptional)

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Instructions

1-Getting your Chicken Shawarma just right: and it starts with mixing up those authentic Middle Eastern spices for a marinade that’s full of life. First, grab a bowl and combine olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, lemon juice, salt, and pepper stir it all until it’s a flavorful mix that smells amazing. This step sets the stage for that bold taste you love in Chicken Shawarma.

2-Next, toss in your boneless chicken thighs, making sure every piece gets a good coat of the marinade. Pop it in the fridge for at least an hour, or better yet, overnight to let those spices work their magic and really sink in. When it’s time to cook, fire up your grill or oven to get that perfect char that makes Chicken Shawarma so irresistible.

3-Now, lay the chicken on a hot grill or baking tray and cook it for about 6-8 minutes per side until it’s juicy and done. Don’t forget to let it rest a bit before slicing this keeps everything tender. For serving, pile on fresh veggies and a simple sauce, and if you’re feeling adventurous, check out our chicken shawarma wrap ideas for even more ways to enjoy it.

4-Additional Cooking Tips: While the chicken cooks, whip up some quick sides like chopped tomatoes or a yogurt sauce to round out your meal. This Chicken Shawarma recipe made with authentic Middle Eastern spices is flexible, so feel free to adjust based on what you have. Once assembled, you’ll have a wrap that’s as fun to eat as it is to make.

Last Step:

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Notes

🧂 Use a mix of fresh lemon juice and a pinch of salt in the marinade to keep the chicken juicy.
⏰ For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken overnight; the longer the marinate, the deeper the spice infusion.
❄️ The cooked chicken can be stored with its pan juices in the fridge for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 2 months for future meals.

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Marinating time: 12–24 hours
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Grill/Skillet
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 wrap (approximately 1/4 of the recipe)
Calories: 275 kcal
Sugar: 0 g
Sodium: 918 mg
Fat: 16.2 g
Saturated Fat: 3.2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 1.1 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 32.9 g
Cholesterol: 140 mg