Chicken Shawarma Middle Eastern Dish (Printable View)
Tender spiced chicken in warm pita with fresh vegetables and creamy sauce
# What You Need:
→ Chicken Marinade
01 - 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - Juice of 1 lemon
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 2 teaspoons ground cumin
06 - 2 teaspoons ground coriander
07 - 1.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
08 - 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
10 - 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
11 - 1.5 teaspoons salt
12 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
→ Serving Components
13 - 4 large pita breads or flatbreads
14 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
15 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
16 - 0.5 cup sliced cucumber
17 - 0.25 cup thinly sliced red onion
18 - Pickles (optional)
→ Garlic or Tahini Sauce
19 - 0.5 cup Greek yogurt or tahini
20 - 1 garlic clove, minced
21 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
22 - Salt to taste
23 - 1-2 tablespoons water (to thin if needed)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until well combined.
02 - Add chicken thighs to the bowl, turning to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to overnight for optimal flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat oven to 425°F or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Line a baking sheet with foil if using the oven method.
04 - Arrange chicken on prepared baking sheet or grill pan. Roast or grill for 18-20 minutes, turning once, until fully cooked through and slightly charred on edges.
05 - Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 5 minutes to retain juices. Slice thinly against the grain for serving.
06 - Combine yogurt or tahini, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time until reaching desired drizzling consistency.
07 - Warm pita breads lightly. Fill with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and pickles. Add sliced chicken and drizzle generously with sauce. Roll or fold and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The marinade works its magic while you go about your day, meaning dinner practically cooks itself
- Leftovers (if you somehow have any) make incredible lunch bowls the next day
02 -
- The chicken needs those 5 minutes of resting time or all the juices will run out onto your cutting board
- Don't skip warming the pita bread, it makes such a difference in the final experience
03 -
- If you only have chicken breast, reduce the cooking time by a few minutes to avoid drying it out
- Use gluten-free pitas to make this completely accessible for everyone at your table