Description
Juicy, spiced, and perfectly caramelized this homemade Chicken Shawarma brings Middle Eastern street food flavor straight to your kitchen. Marinated in aromatic spices and grilled or baked to perfection, it’s served with pita, fresh veggies, and creamy garlic sauce.
Ingredients
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Juice of 1 lemon
Warm pita bread, for serving
Sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and lettuce, for serving
Garlic sauce or tahini sauce, for drizzling
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and all the spices to form a thick marinade.
2. Add chicken thighs to the bowl and toss until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best flavor.
3. Preheat grill or oven to 425°F (220°C).
4. Grill chicken for 5–6 minutes per side, or bake for 25–30 minutes until fully cooked and slightly charred at the edges.
5. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
6. Warm pita bread and layer with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions.
7. Top with sliced shawarma chicken and drizzle generously with garlic sauce or tahini.
8. Wrap and enjoy hot!
Notes
Marinate overnight for deeper flavor.
Use chicken breasts if preferred, but thighs stay juicier.
For an authentic touch, serve with pickled turnips and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilled or Oven-Baked
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wrap
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: chicken shawarma, shawarma wrap, grilled chicken, Mediterranean street food, homemade shawarma