Chicken Shawarma Recipe

Chicken Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern dish featuring marinated, spiced chicken that’s cooked until tender and served in pita bread or on a plate with accompaniments. Here’s a complete recipe to make delicious Chicken Shawarma at home.

Ingredients:

For the Marinade:

• 1 1/2 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

• 1/4 cup plain yogurt

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp ground cumin

• 1 tbsp ground coriander

• 1 tbsp ground paprika

• 1 tsp ground turmeric

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp ground allspice

• 1/2 tsp ground cloves

• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Garlic Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 1/4 cup plain yogurt

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt to taste

For Serving:

• Pita bread or flatbreads

• Sliced cucumbers

• Sliced tomatoes

• Shredded lettuce

• Pickles (e.g., pickled cucumbers or turnips)

• Red onion slices

• Fresh parsley or cilantro (optional)

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken:

1. Prepare Marinade:

   • In a large bowl, mix together yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.

2. Marinate Chicken:

   • Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated.

   • Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but ideally overnight for best flavor.

2. Prepare the Garlic Sauce:

1. Mix Ingredients:

   • In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil.

   • Season with salt to taste.

   • Mix until well combined. Chill until ready to use.

3. Cook the Chicken:

1. Preheat Oven or Grill:

   • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.

2. Cook Chicken:

   • If using an oven, place the marinated chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a wire rack. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until fully cooked and slightly crispy on the edges.

   • If using a grill or grill pan, cook the chicken for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and has nice grill marks.

3. Rest and Slice:

   • Let the cooked chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips.

4. Assemble the Shawarma:

1. Warm the Pita Bread:

   • Warm pita bread or flatbreads in the oven or on a skillet.

2. Assemble:

   • Spread a generous amount of garlic sauce onto the pita bread.

   • Add slices of chicken shawarma on top.

   • Top with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, pickles, and red onions.

3. Garnish:

   • Sprinkle with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired.

4. Wrap or Serve:

   • Roll up the pita bread to enclose the fillings, or serve the chicken shawarma on a plate with your choice of sides.

Enjoy your homemade Chicken Shawarma! It’s a flavorful and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a delicious meal any time of the day.