Go Back

Chicken Shawarma

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marination Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl (for the marinade)
  • Whisk or spoon (for combining ingredients)
  • Sharp knife (for slicing the chicken)
  • Cutting board
  • Skillet or frying pan
  • Baking tray (if using the oven)
  • Grill pan or outdoor grill (optional for smoky flavor)
  • Air fryer (optional alternative cooking method)
  • Tongs (for flipping and serving)
  • Aluminum foil or parchment paper
  • Serving plate or platter
  • Pita bread warmer or pan (optional but helpful)

Ingredients
  

Shawarma Marinade Ingredients

  • 700 g boneless chicken thighs
  • 3 tbsp plain yogurt
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • ½ tsp coriander
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp salt adjust to taste
  • Optional: pinch of cinnamon or cardamom for deeper flavor

Serving Ingredients

  • Fresh pita or Arabic bread
  • Garlic sauce toum or tahini sauce
  • Pickles
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Tomato slices
  • Fries for Syrian-style rolls

Instructions
 

  • This step-by-step method guarantees juicy, tender meat packed with flavor — and remember, when you roll your shawarma later, if it’s not tight, it’s not right! 😄

Prepare the Marinade

  • Mix yogurt, lemon, garlic, and all spices together until smooth. This creates the signature creamy and tangy shawarma mixture.
  • H4: Step 2 – Marinate the Chicken
  • Add chicken thighs to the marinade, coating each piece completely. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but 3 hours is ideal for deeper flavor.

Cook the Chicken

  • You can cook shawarma in many ways depending on your setup:
  • Pan: Cook 5–6 minutes per side
  • Oven: Bake at 220°C (425°F) for 20 minutes
  • Air Fryer: 200°C (390°F) for 15–18 minutes
  • Grill: For a smoky, street-food style taste

Slice & Serve

  • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly. Wrap it in warm pita — tightly! Because as we love to say in the kitchen: if it’s not tight, it’s not right. 😄 Serve with garlic sauce, pickles, and fries.

Notes

While 2 hours is ideal for flavor and tenderness, marinating for 1–3 hours allows the spices, yogurt, and lemon to fully penetrate the chicken, making it juicier and more flavorful.

shelfrecipes.com