Best Chicken Shawarma Recipe – Juicy & Flavorful
Tender, spiced chicken marinated in aromatic Middle Eastern flavors, grilled to perfection, and wrapped in warm pita with creamy garlic sauce.
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Skillet or Grill Pan
- Whisk
Ingredients
For the Shawarma Marinade
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into thin strips
- 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp plain yogurt
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 1 tsp sea salt
For Serving
- 4 pita bread warmed
- 1 cup garlic sauce (Toum) homemade or store-bought
- 1 tomato sliced
- 1 cucumber thinly sliced
- 0.5 red onion sliced
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, cinnamon, black pepper, and sea salt to make the marinade.
- Add the sliced chicken to the marinade, toss to coat, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for the best flavor).
- Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing it into thin strips.
- Warm the pita bread and fill with sliced chicken, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and a drizzle of garlic sauce.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for extra flavor.
Video
Notes
For extra smoky flavor, grill the chicken instead of pan-frying. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
