Shawarma is a Middle Eastern delight, loved by food connoisseurs worldwide for its savory flavors, tender meat, and vibrant herbs. Our recipe today focuses on Chicken Shawarma, an aromatic feast that brilliantly marries juicy chicken with an array of zesty spices. Bursting with flavorful goodness, this dish can be served in a wrap, with a salad, or even on a bed of fluffy rice.
It's surprisingly simple to make at home, allowing you to bring an exotic touch to your dinner table. It's time to spice up your everyday meals and wow your taste buds with this magical concoction!
Why This Recipe Works
Effortlessly Flavorful: Chicken Shawarma stands out due to its deliciously marinated chicken. This recipe uses a blend of traditional Middle Eastern spices like cumin, coriander, garlic, and turmeric, which seep into the chicken, imparting a robust, earthy flavor that's both unique and mouthwatering. By marinating the chicken overnight, you allow the spices to truly penetrate the meat, creating a flavor profile that's deeply satisfying and authentic to the taste of real street-side Shawarma. This recipe brings the intensity of those street food flavors right into your kitchen, no travel necessary!
Versatility and Simplicity: One of the beauties of this recipe is its simplicity and versatility. You don't need to be a seasoned chef to whip up this dish; all you need are the right ingredients and a little time to marinate the chicken. Despite its simplicity, the result is a gastronomic delight that can be served in numerous ways - rolled in a pita bread for a quick lunch, laid over a fresh salad for a light dinner, or paired with rice for a filling meal. This chicken shawarma recipe encourages you to experiment and find your favorite way to enjoy this Middle Eastern classic.
Ingredients
Chicken Thighs - This is the main ingredient for the shawarma recipe. Chicken thighs are juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. However, if you prefer a leaner option, you can substitute it with chicken breasts.
Yogurt-It's used to tenderize the chicken and to give the marinade a creamy texture. If you're lactose intolerant or following a dairy-free diet, you can substitute it with coconut milk.
Garlic-It's crucial for creating a robust flavor profile in the shawarma. Garlic powder can be a good substitute if fresh isn't available.
Spices- Traditional shawarma uses a mix of spices including cumin, coriander, turmeric, and paprika. If you're short on individual spices, you can use a pre-made shawarma spice mix available at most grocery stores.
Lemon- Lemon juice is used to bring acidity and brightness to the dish. If fresh lemons aren't available, you can use bottled lemon juice or even lime juice as a substitute.
Tips
- Marinating the chicken overnight will help to deepen the flavors.
- If you don't have a grill, you can cook the chicken in the oven or on a stovetop pan.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Don't discard the leftover marinade. It can be boiled and used as a sauce.
- If you're preparing this for a party, you can slice and marinate the chicken ahead of time, then just cook before serving.
How to Serve
Chicken shawarma is an incredibly versatile dish and can be served in a variety of ways. Traditionally, it is served wrapped in a warm pita bread with fresh veggies and tahini sauce. However, the flavors of the chicken shawarma can lend themselves well to other creative serving methods.
- For a hearty dinner, try serving chicken shawarma on a bed of steamed rice with a side of grilled vegetables.
- If you're after a lighter, more casual meal, consider creating a shawarma salad by adding the cooked chicken to a mix of fresh greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a tangy vinaigrette.
- Lastly, for a unique appetizer idea, consider making chicken shawarma sliders by placing the chicken on mini buns and topping with a dollop of tzatziki sauce.
Similar Recipes
Chicken Shawarma
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon coriander
- 1 tablespoon turmeric
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- Juice of one lemon
Instructions
- Combine the yogurt, garlic, spices, and lemon juice in a large bowl.
- Add the chicken thighs, ensuring they are fully coated in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible.
- Preheat your grill or oven to medium heat.
- Cook the chicken thighs for about 7-8 minutes each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Rest the cooked chicken for a few minutes before slicing.
Nutrition
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight will help to deepen the flavors.
- If you don't have a grill, you can cook the chicken in the oven or on a stovetop pan.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Don't discard the leftover marinade. It can be boiled and used as a sauce.
- If you're preparing this for a party, you can slice and marinate the chicken ahead of time, then just cook before serving.