Best 6 Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipes

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Tantalize your taste buds with the exotic flavors of the Middle East with this easy chicken shawarma recipe. This delectable dish features tender, marinated chicken, roasted to perfection on skewers and enveloped in warm, fluffy pita bread. As you bite into the shawarma, a symphony of spices dances on your palate, transporting you to the bustling streets of a traditional Middle Eastern market.

Within this article, you'll find a collection of mouthwatering chicken shawarma recipes that cater to your culinary preferences. Whether you're a fan of classic flavors or crave something more adventurous, these recipes have got you covered. From the traditional Chicken Shawarma with its aromatic blend of spices to the unique Sweet Potato and Black Bean Shawarma that offers a delightful vegetarian twist, there's something for every palate to savor.

Each recipe provides step-by-step instructions, ensuring that even novice cooks can create this flavorful dish with ease. With helpful tips and detailed explanations, you'll be guided through the process of marinating the chicken, assembling the skewers, and roasting the meat to perfection. Whether you prefer to savor your shawarma in a pita pocket or atop a bed of rice, these recipes offer versatile serving suggestions to suit your preferences.

So, embark on a culinary journey to the heart of the Middle East with this comprehensive guide to chicken shawarma. With a variety of recipes to choose from, you'll be able to recreate this beloved dish in the comfort of your own kitchen and indulge in its tantalizing flavors whenever the craving strikes.

Let's cook with our recipes!

EASY CHICKEN SHAWARMA RECIPE



Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe image

Follow this easy recipe to make this robust and flavorful Chicken Shawarma at home. The juicy chicken is so flavorful and delicious. Beats takeout any day of the week!

Provided by Dimitra Khan

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 large onion, sliced
½ cup olive oil
5 garlic cloves, grated
¼ cup of fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon sumac
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup yogurt
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, grated

Steps:

  • Note: The chicken can be cooked on the barbeque grill or in the oven under the broiler.
  • Marinate the chicken:
  • Place the chicken in a large bowl and add all of the spices, olive oil, garlic cloves, and lemon juice. Toss well to coat the chicken. Add the onion slices and mix them together. Cover the bowl in plastic wrap and set aside to marinate at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator.
  • If marinating overnight allow the chicken to sit out at room temperature for an hour before cooking.
  • Make the Sauce: Combine all of the sauce ingredients together and whisk well. Taste and add salt if needed. This sauce keeps well in an airtight container stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
  • For the Broiler:
  • Set the broiler to high and place the oven rack under the broiler element.
  • Place a rack on a metal baking tray.
  • Arrange the chicken on the rack and broil for 16-18 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 °F.
  • For the Grill:
  • Heat the grill then add the marinated chicken onto the grill. Cook over medium-high heat for about 20 minutes. Flip the chicken over after 10 minutes. When the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 °F it is ready. Transfer the chicken to a bowl.
  • Slice the chicken into strips and serve.
  • Shawarma Bowl:
  • Fill a salad bowl with your favorite greens (lettuce, shredded cabbage, etc.) some chopped tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers and top with the chicken shawarma slices. Drizzle some shawarma sauce on top and serve.
  • Shawarma Pita:
  • Lightly toast a pita. Spread 1 tablespoon of the sauce in the center of the pita. Top with ¼ cup of salad (any shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, and onion slices. Top with chicken shawarma and some more sauce. Roll up and serve!

CHICKEN SHAWARMA



Chicken Shawarma image

You don't need a special rotisserie to make this easy homemade chicken shawarma recipe! Chicken pieces, tossed in warm Middle Eastern spices, then baked until perfectly tender. Serve it in pita pockets with Mediterranean salad and sauces. Be sure to check out the video and step-by-step above.

Provided by The Mediterranean Dish

Categories     Entree/Meat and Poultry

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 17

3/4 tbsp ground cumin
3/4 tbsp turmeric powder
3/4 tbsp ground coriander
3/4 tbsp garlic powder
3/4 tbsp paprika
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, more if you prefer
Salt
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 large lemon, juice of
1/3 cup Private Reserve extra virgin olive oil
6 pita pockets
Tahini sauce or Greek Tzatziki sauce
Baby arugula
3-ingredient Mediterranean Salad
Pickles or kalmata olives (optional)

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, mix the cumin, turmeric, coriander, garlic powder, sweet paprika and cloves. Set aside the shawarma spice mix for now.
  • Pat the chicken thighs dry and season with salt on both sides, then thinly slice into small bite-sized pieces.
  • Place the chicken in a large bowl. Add the shwarma spices and toss to coat. Add the onions, lemon juice and olive oil. Toss everything together again. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight (if you don't have time, you can cut or skip marinating time)
  • When ready, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Take the chicken out of the fridge and let it sit in room temperature for a few minutes.
  • Spread the marinated chicken with the onions in one layer on a large lightly-oiled baking sheet pan. Roast for 30 minutes in the 425 degrees F heated-oven. For a more browned, crispier chicken, move the pan to the top rack and broil very briefly (watch carefully). Remove from the oven.
  • While the chicken is roasting, prepare the pita pockets. Make tahini sauce according to this recipe or Tztaziki sauce according to this recipe. Make 3-ingredient Mediterranean salad according to this recipe. Set aside.
  • To serve, open pita pockets up. Spread a little tahini sauce or Tzatziki sauce, add chicken shawarma, arugula, Mediterranean salad and pickles or olives, if you like. Serve immediately!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 227 calories, Sugar 4.3 g, Sodium 555.5 mg, Fat 14.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 22.5 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 4.7 g, Cholesterol 0.6 mg

CHICKEN SHAWARMA



Chicken Shawarma image

Awesome Lebanese sandwich served in most Lebanese restaurants. Can be served with Tahini sauce or Toum.

Provided by Wendy

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Middle Eastern     Lebanese

Time 4h50m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 18

½ cup malt vinegar
¼ cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon mixed spice
¼ teaspoon freshly ground cardamom
8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
½ cup tahini
¼ cup plain yogurt
½ teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste
4 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
½ cup sliced onion
4 cups shredded lettuce
8 pita bread rounds

Steps:

  • In a glass baking dish, mix together the malt vinegar, 1/4 cup yogurt, vegetable oil, mixed spice, cardamom, salt and pepper. Place the chicken thighs into the mixture and turn to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a small bowl, mix together the tahini, 1/4 cup yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper, taste, and adjust flavors if desired. Cover and refrigerate.
  • Cover the chicken and bake in the marinade for 30 minutes, turning once. Uncover, and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove from the dish, and cut into slices.
  • Place sliced chicken, tomato, onion, and lettuce onto pita breads. Roll up, and top with the tahini sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 402.2 calories, Carbohydrate 44 g, Cholesterol 58.2 mg, Fat 15.2 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 23.3 g, SaturatedFat 2.6 g, Sodium 420.3 mg, Sugar 5.1 g

EASY CHICKEN SHAWARMA



Easy Chicken Shawarma image

Provided by Mel

Categories     Chicken

Time 8h35m

Number Of Ingredients 23

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic (finely minced, or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder)
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons salt (I use coarse, kosher salt)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper (I use coarsely ground black pepper)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (use more if you want more heat)
3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts ((or chicken thighs))
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 garlic clove (finely minced, or a hefty pinch of garlic powder)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper (to taste)
5-6 cups thinly sliced red cabbage (1 small head of cabbage or 1/2 head of large cabbage)
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt (I use coarse, kosher salt)
Pinch of black pepper
Flatbread or pita bread (see note)
Diced tomatoes
Diced cucumbers

Steps:

  • For the chicken, in a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, oil, garlic, coriander, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Place the chicken in a shallow dish or in a gallon-size ziploc bag. Add the marinade and rub over the chicken to make sure each piece is coated. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.
  • For the yogurt sauce, whisk together all the ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use (can be made up to several days in advance).
  • For the cabbage, place the cabbage and parsley in a large bowl. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice (or vinegar), salt and pepper. Pour over the cabbage and toss to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve (can be made several hours in advance). Season to taste with additional salt and pepper to taste, if needed.
  • Preheat an outdoor grill (see recipe note for cooking in an oven) to medium- or medium-high. Grill the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until an instant-read thermometer registers 165 degrees at the thickest part of the chicken. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes or so before slicing.
  • Serve the chicken with the flatbread, yogurt sauce, cabbage slaw, diced tomatoes and cucumbers.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Serving, Calories 441 kcal, Carbohydrate 9 g, Protein 53 g, Fat 21 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Cholesterol 147 mg, Sodium 974 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 4 g

SHEET PAN CHICKEN SHAWARMA



Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma image

This shortcut version of chicken shawarma skips the long marinating and roasting time and relies instead on quick cooking sliced thighs and a shower of the spices that go into the classic version--think cumin, cardamom and turmeric. Served with a warm pita, greens, tomato and a tangy yogurt sauce, it makes a substantial meal. We left out fries to keep the recipe on one sheet pan, but they are always a welcome addition!

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 cloves garlic, grated
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, sliced into 1-inch-thick pieces
1 medium onion (about 6 ounces), halved and sliced into 1-inch-thick half-moons
1/2 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
Juice of 1/2 lemon
4 pieces pita bread
3 dill pickle spears, chopped
1 Roma tomato (about 6 ounces), chopped
1 cup shredded lettuce

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
  • Combine the olive oil, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, turmeric, garlic, 2 teaspoons salt and a generous amount of pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken and onions and toss to coat evenly. Spread in a single layer on a sheet pan, making sure the pieces are not overlapping. Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the onions are slightly caramelized, about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, mix the yogurt, lemon juice and a generous amount of pepper in a medium bowl until smooth. Warm the pitas in the microwave on a microwave-safe plate, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  • Spread the yogurt sauce on top of the pitas and spoon the chicken and onions over the sauce. Top with the pickles, tomatoes and shredded lettuce.

CHICKEN SHAWARMA RECIPE



Chicken Shawarma Recipe image

These are delicious and addicting. You can also use beef or lamb in place of the chicken. I usually will make my own tahini (See Recipe#191672.

Provided by Alskann

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 1h5m

Yield 4-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken (thighs or breasts, thinly cut)
1 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup vinegar
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cardamom pods
1 teaspoon allspice
1 lemon, juice of
1 cup tahini
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons yogurt
8 small pita bread, whole or 4 large pita breads, halved
thinly slice cucumber
thinly sliced onion
1/2 teaspoon sumac
thinly sliced tomatoes
1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
pickle, slices (optional)

Steps:

  • Combine all ingredients except for chicken, fillings, and sauce ingredients to make marinade. If it seems a little dry, add a little olive oil (a tablespoon at a time).
  • Add chicken, cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours, preferable overnight.
  • In a stockpot or large saucepan, cook chicken over medium heat for 45 minutes or until done. Be sure not to overcook! If chicken becomes a little dry, add a few tablespoons of water throughout cooking duration.
  • While chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. Combine sauce ingredients and mix well. Set aside.
  • Take the onions, tomatoes, cucumbers and sprinkle with sumac. Add any other filling ingredients in a large bowl and combine well.
  • When the chicken is done, you can shred it, slice it, or leave into large pieces. Just make sure it is thinly cut.
  • Spread each half pita with hummus.
  • Place enough chicken on pita that cover 1/4 of the loaf.
  • Add veggies and pour on sauce.
  • Roll like a soft taco or burrito and you have shawarma!
  • You can also stuff the pocket of the pita if you prefer. I prefer to roll large pitas and stuff the smaller ones.
  • ****Cooking time does not include refrigerating overnight****.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 721.7, Fat 33.9, SaturatedFat 6.1, Cholesterol 107.9, Sodium 738.6, Carbohydrate 49.9, Fiber 7.3, Sugar 4.6, Protein 57.4

Tips:

  • To make the chicken shawarma even more flavorful, marinate the chicken in the yogurt-spice mixture for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
  • If you don't have a grill, you can cook the chicken shawarma in a grill pan over medium heat.
  • Be sure to slice the chicken shawarma against the grain for the most tender results.
  • Serve the chicken shawarma with your favorite toppings, such as tahini sauce, hummus, pickled vegetables, and pita bread.
  • For a vegetarian version of this recipe, use tofu or tempeh instead of chicken.

Conclusion:

This easy chicken shawarma recipe is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a main course or an appetizer. It's perfect for a weeknight meal or a weekend gathering. With its simple ingredients and bold flavors, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

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