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Middle Eastern Chicken Shawarma

Learn how to make chicken shawarma with a tasty marinade and yogurt sauce, served with pita bread, fresh vegetables, and optional hot sauce.
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Course: Dinner
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Marinating time: 2 hours
Servings: 6 People
Calories: 358.9kcal
Author: Liora

Ingredients

Chicken:

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs

Marinade:

  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice about 2 lemons
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Assembling:

  • Optional toppings: sliced tomatoes cucumber, lettuce, pickles, tahini sauce, or garlic sauce

Instructions

  • Marinate:
  • Combine Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Mix well to make the marinade.
  • Add the chicken thighs, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight for better flavor.
  • Cook:
  • Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off.
  • Stovetop: Heat a non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once heated, add the chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. If necessary, cook in batches.
  • Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chicken on the sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until fully cooked with slightly charred edges.
  • While the chicken cooks, prepare the toppings and warm the pita or flatbread.
  • Once the chicken is ready, remove it from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Slice into bite-sized pieces or thin strips.
  • Assemble:
  • Spread tahini or garlic sauce on the warm pita or flatbread. Add the chicken and desired toppings.
  • Wrap the flatbread around the filling, and enjoy this homemade chicken shawarma. Be sure to have napkins on hand—this dish can be a bit messy!

Notes

  • Please note that the nutritional values are provided by an online calculator and should be considered as an estimate.

Nutrition

Calories: 358.9kcal | Carbohydrates: 3.1g | Protein: 30.1g | Fat: 24.8g | Saturated Fat: 7.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13.3g | Cholesterol: 89.6mg | Sodium: 103.4mg | Potassium: 610.3mg | Fiber: 0.7g | Sugar: 0.7g | Vitamin A: 369IU | Vitamin C: 5.1mg | Calcium: 36.9mg | Iron: 4mg