Chicken Shawarma Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Marinating Time
6 hrs
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Total Time
6 hrs 45 mins
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Calories
288 kcal
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Course
Dinner
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Cuisine
Mediterranean
Chicken Shawarma Recipe
Description
The Chicken Shawarma recipe involves marinating chicken thighs in a robust mixture of garlic paste, various warm spices including cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, along with lemon juice and cooking oil to tenderize and flavor the meat. The balanced spice blend provides warmth and a gentle heat without overpowering the chicken.
Cooking is flexible: the chicken can be air fried for a quicker approach or oven-roasted for a traditional method. In either method, the chicken is cooked until the edges crisp and the meat remains juicy. Resting the chicken after cooking allows the juices to redistribute before slicing into thin strips.
The accompanying dill tzatziki sauce combines Greek-style yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and fresh dill, offering a cool, fresh contrast. Serving this in warmed pita bread or flatbreads with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and sliced red onion completes the shawarma wrap, balancing the spices with crisp textures and creamy sauce.
For oven roasting, ensure the internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F and allow the chicken to rest before slicing to maintain moisture. The nutrition facts exclude bread, so portions can be adjusted based on serving preferences.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs boneless; skinless
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon cloves ground
- ½ teaspoon black pepper ground
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
Dill Tzatziki sauce
- 1 cup Greek-style plain yogurt
- 2 cucumber peeled, grated (squeeze excess moisture out, Persian
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 2 tablespoons dill finely chopped, fresh
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Serving
- pita bread or parathas
- 2 cups romaine lettuce
- 2 tomato diced
- 2 cucumber peeled and cubed, Persian
- ½ cup red onion thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix together salt, garlic, paprika, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, ground cloves, ground black pepper, lemon juice, and oil
- Add chicken and coat well. Allow to marinate for 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the Air Fryer at 400 F. Line the chicken in a single layer. Spread sliced onions on top. Air Fry at 380 F for 10 minutes. Turn over and cook for another 2 to 5 minutes. Note: My air fryer basket fits 4 to 5 chicken thighs at a time without overcrowding. I usually air fry chicken in 2 batches.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 2 minutes before cutting into thin strips.
Tzatziki
- Stir together the yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and dill in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Bread
- Warm up the pita breads, flatbreads or parathas
Serving
- Here is the classic way to serve shawarma - spread Tzatziki on the warm bread, top it with your favorite veggies, lettuce, and tomato are a must for me. Then layer over the sliced chicken. Roll up and enjoy.
- You can also serve them as Pita pockets. Bake the pita bread in the toaster oven until it fluffs up. Allow it to cool for a minute and then cut into half. Carefully open up each half and spread Tzatziki inside. Add lettuce, tomatoes, and top with chicken.
- For a low-carb meal, serve the shawarma meat on a pile of crispy lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and drizzle with creamy yogurt Tzatziki.
Notes
- Chicken can be cooked in the oven at 425°F for 30 to 40 minutes, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F before resting and slicing.
- Air frying requires cooking in batches to avoid overcrowding, with slices of onion added during cooking for flavor.
- Fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion add crunch and balance to the shawarma wraps.
- Tzatziki sauce with fresh dill complements the spiced chicken and can be made ahead for convenience.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 1Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 288 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 288kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 10g | 3% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 146mg | 49% |
| Sodium | 1126mg | 47% |
| Potassium | 695mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 2103IU | 42% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 101mg | 10% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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