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Chicken Shawarma

Featured in Dinner Ideas Everyone Will Love.

These Middle Eastern chicken wraps are worth the wait. Marinate chicken overnight in a blend of yogurt, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic, and lemon to let the flavors deeply infuse the meat. Grill until the chicken is perfectly charred on the outside and juicy on the inside. Serve with cooling yogurt sauce, fresh herbs, and warm flatbreads so everyone can build their own wraps. Leftovers are perfect for salads or grain bowls. Pair them with a side of hummus or tabbouleh for a complete, satisfying meal.
A young woman with wavy hair is gazing down contemplatively in a warmly lit kitchen filled with plants.
Updated on Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:32:30 GMT
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A close-up view of a grilled chicken wrap filled with chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and a creamy sauce, served on a wooden surface. Pin it
A close-up view of a grilled chicken wrap filled with chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and a creamy sauce, served on a wooden surface. | cookingkeys.com

My love for Chicken Shawarma started during travels through the Middle East watching those giant spits of marinated meat turning slowly creating the most incredible aromas. Back home I was determined to recreate those amazing flavors in my own kitchen. After lots of experimenting I found this perfect blend of warm spices garlic and lemon that transforms ordinary chicken into something absolutely magical. The kitchen fills with these wonderful scents while it cooks making everyone ask when dinner will be ready.

Simple Kitchen Magic

What makes this recipe so special is how everyday spices come together to create something extraordinary. That marinade works its magic turning regular chicken into this tender flavorful feast. My neighbor caught the smell through our open windows last week came running over for the recipe. Now she makes it every Sunday says her family fights over the last pieces.

What You'll Need

  • The chicken: I use boneless thighs they stay super juicy and tender.
  • Your spice blend: Cumin paprika turmeric coriander cardamom creates that perfect shawarma flavor.
  • Fresh ingredients: Lots of garlic fresh lemons good olive oil.
  • For serving: Warm pita bread crisp lettuce tomatoes red onions.
  • The sauce: Creamy tzatziki or tahini sauce brings everything together.

Making Magic

The perfect marinade:
First I mix all those beautiful spices in my biggest bowl. The kitchen starts smelling amazing right away. Fresh garlic and lemon juice go in then plenty of good olive oil to bring everything together.
Prep the chicken:
I coat every piece of chicken really well in that gorgeous marinade. Everything goes into a big zip bag pushing out the air so the marinade touches every bit. Into the fridge it goes overnight if possible at least three hours.
Time to cook:
When that marinated chicken hits the hot pan it creates the most incredible sizzle and smell. Each piece gets nice and golden before flipping just like at those street vendors.
A close-up of a plate featuring spiced grilled chicken slices on a tortilla, topped with red peppers, tomatoes, fresh cilantro, and a creamy sauce. Pin it
A close-up of a plate featuring spiced grilled chicken slices on a tortilla, topped with red peppers, tomatoes, fresh cilantro, and a creamy sauce. | cookingkeys.com

Let's Get Cooking

After the chicken's had time to soak up all those wonderful flavors I get my pan nice and hot. Each piece goes in carefully not overcrowding the pan that's important for getting that perfect golden crust. Watch the temperature a good medium-high heat gives you that beautiful color without burning the spices. Always let it rest after cooking keeps all those good juices inside.

Time to Feast

We love serving this so many ways. Wrapped in warm pita bread with crisp lettuce tomatoes and red onions is classic. Sometimes I'll make a big platter with fluffy rice hummus and a fresh Middle Eastern salad. That creamy tzatziki sauce or tahini drizzled over top makes everything perfect. Don't forget that extra squeeze of lemon right at the end brightens all the flavors.

Tips From My Kitchen

After making this countless times I've learned all the tricks. The longer it marinates the better it gets overnight is perfect. Play with the spice levels my kids like it mild but my husband loves extra cayenne. Always let that chicken rest before slicing keeps everything juicy. I usually make extra perfect for lunch boxes or quick dinners later in the week.

Mix It Up

While chicken is traditional this marinade works beautifully on other meats too. Try it with beef sirloin or lamb absolutely delicious. My vegetarian daughter loves when I use the same spices on mushrooms or chickpeas. Sometimes I'll add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the spice blend gives everything an extra layer of warmth.

Make It Last

The leftovers from this chicken might even taste better the next day. Keep them in a good sealed container in the fridge they'll stay perfect for about four days. When you're thinking ahead marinate several batches and freeze them. Nothing better than having ready-to-cook shawarma waiting in your freezer for busy nights. Just thaw overnight and cook as usual dinner solved.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use chicken breast instead?
Yes, but slice thin and cook quickly on high heat. Thighs are preferred for better caramelization and moisture.
→ Why marinate so long?
24 hours allows spices to fully penetrate meat. Minimum 3 hours works but longer gives better flavor.
→ Can I make ahead?
Yes, can freeze in marinade or cook and reheat. When reheating, toss with accumulated juices to keep moist.
→ Why rest the meat?
Resting 5 minutes lets juices redistribute through meat, preventing dryness when sliced.
→ Can I bake instead?
Yes, bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes. Grilling gives better caramelization but baking still works well.

Chicken Shawarma

Tender chicken thighs marinated in aromatic Middle Eastern spices, grilled until charred and served with yogurt sauce and flatbreads.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Yield: 5 Servings (4-5 servings)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 2 lb chicken thigh fillets.
02 1 large garlic clove, minced.
03 1 tablespoon ground coriander.
04 1 tablespoon ground cumin.
05 1 tablespoon ground cardamom.
06 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
07 2 teaspoons smoked paprika.
08 2 teaspoons salt.
09 Black pepper.
10 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
11 3 tablespoons olive oil.
12 1 cup Greek yogurt.
13 1 clove garlic for sauce.
14 1 teaspoon cumin for sauce.
15 Lemon juice for sauce.
16 Flatbreads for serving.
17 Lettuce for serving.
18 Tomatoes for serving.
19 Red onion for serving.

Instructions

Step 01

Combine marinade ingredients in ziplock bag with chicken, massage to coat. Marinate 24 hours minimum 3 hours.

Step 02

Mix yogurt sauce ingredients, refrigerate until needed.

Step 03

Grill chicken 4-5 minutes first side, 3-4 minutes second side until charred.

Step 04

Cover chicken with foil, rest 5 minutes before slicing.

Step 05

Serve with flatbreads, salad ingredients and yogurt sauce for making wraps.

Notes

  1. Can freeze in marinade.
  2. Can make ahead and reheat.
  3. Best with chicken thighs.

Tools You'll Need

  • Grill or skillet.
  • Ziplock bag.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (in sauce).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 275
  • Total Fat: 16 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 1 g
  • Protein: 33 g