Description
Chicken Shawarma is a flavorful and easy-to-make Middle Eastern dish featuring tender marinated chicken cooked with aromatic spices. Paired with a creamy yogurt sauce and fresh salad, it’s perfect for wraps or served on a platter with flatbread.
Ingredients
1 kg (2 lb) chicken thigh fillets, skinless and boneless
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 (adjust to taste)
2 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp salt
Black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp lemon juice
3 tbsp olive oil
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 clove garlic, crushed (for yogurt sauce)
1 tsp cumin (for yogurt sauce)
Squeeze of lemon juice (for yogurt sauce)
Salt and pepper, to taste (for yogurt sauce)
4–5 flatbreads (Lebanese, pita bread, or homemade soft flatbreads)
Sliced lettuce (cos or iceberg)
Tomato slices
Red onion, finely sliced
Shredded cheese (optional)
Hot sauce of choice (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all marinade ingredients in a large ziplock bag. Add the chicken, seal the bag, and massage to coat. Marinate for at least 3 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- To make the yogurt sauce, combine yogurt, crushed garlic, cumin, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir well and refrigerate until needed.
- Preheat a non-stick skillet with 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat or heat a BBQ grill to medium-high.
- Cook the marinated chicken for 4-5 minutes on the first side until charred. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the second side. The second side cooks faster.
- Remove the chicken and let it rest for 5 minutes covered loosely with foil.
- Slice the chicken into strips and arrange on a platter with flatbreads, salad, and yogurt sauce. To make a wrap, smear some yogurt sauce on a flatbread, add lettuce, tomato, and chicken, then roll it up and enjoy!
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add more cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce to the yogurt sauce.
- Chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs, but thighs give better flavor and juiciness.
- Use tahini sauce as a dairy-free alternative to the yogurt sauce.
- For grilling, ensure the grill is preheated for a better charred effect.
- Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grill or Skillet
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/5 recipe
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg