Ingredients
– 1 kg boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets
– 1 garlic clove, minced
– 1 tablespoon ground coriander
– 1 tablespoon ground cumin
– 1 tablespoon ground cardamom
– 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
– 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
– 2 teaspoons salt
– Black pepper to taste
– 2 tablespoons lemon juice
– 3 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 cup Greek yogurt
– 1 clove garlic, crushed
– 1 teaspoon cumin
– A squeeze of lemon juice
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Flatbreads (such as Lebanese, pita, or homemade soft flatbreads)
– Sliced lettuce
– Tomato slices
– Finely sliced red onion
– Shredded cheese (optional)
– Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
1-Getting started with chicken shawarma is fun and straightforward, even if you’re new to Middle Eastern flavors. First, trim the chicken and cut it into strips for even cooking, which helps lock in those spices. In a bowl, mix the olive oil, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, garlic, salt, and pepper to form your marinade, drawing from the detailed recipe provided.
2-Once mixed, coat the chicken strips thoroughly and let them sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or overnight for deeper taste as suggested in the summary. Preheat your grill or skillet to medium-high heat and cook the strips for 4-5 minutes per side until they’re charred and fully done. While that’s happening, warm your flatbreads in the oven for a couple of minutes to get them soft and ready.
3-After cooking, let the chicken rest for a bit before slicing it up. Assemble everything on a platter with fresh veggies and the yogurt sauce for a build-your-own setup. This approach not only makes the meal interactive but also ties into tips for juicy results, like marinating longer for the best flavor. For similar cooking techniques, explore our chicken stir-fry recipe, which shares quick methods for flavorful meats.
4-To make this even clearer, let’s break it down further. In the marinating step, combine all ingredients in a bag as per the directions: mix 1 kg chicken with the spices, garlic, lemon juice, and oil. For the sauce, blend 1 cup Greek yogurt with 1 clove garlic, 1 teaspoon cumin, a squeeze of lemon juice, and seasonings, then chill it.
5-Cooking takes about 10 minutes total, with 4-5 minutes on the first side and 3-4 on the other for that perfect char. Finally, serve by spreading sauce on bread, adding lettuce, tomatoes, and chicken before rolling it up. This whole process takes around 20 minutes of active time, not counting marinating, making it ideal for busy schedules.
Notes
β³ Marinate chicken overnight to maximize flavor absorption.
βοΈ Marinade can be frozen together with chicken and thawed before cooking.
π₯ Pan or barbecue grilling develops the best caramelization and flavor; baking is an alternate method with slightly less flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Marinating Time: 3 to 24 hours
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Marinating, Grilling or Pan Cooking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Gluten (if served with flatbread)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 275
- Sodium: 918 milligrams
- Fat: 16.2 grams
- Saturated Fat: 3.2 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 1.1 grams
- Protein: 32.9 grams
- Cholesterol: 140 milligrams
