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