Description
This Best Chicken Shawarma Recipe offers juicy, flavorful marinated chicken thighs cooked to perfection on the stovetop. Infused with a blend of warm spices and served in warm pita bread with fresh vegetables and creamy garlic sauce, this easy-to-make dish captures the authentic Middle Eastern taste perfect for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Marinade and Chicken
- 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
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric, smoked paprika, cinnamon, black pepper, and sea salt to create a fragrant, flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the sliced chicken thighs to the marinade, tossing to ensure all pieces are coated evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to fully develop.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken strips and cook for 6-8 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown, slightly charred, and cooked through.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. This helps retain the juices and keeps the chicken tender. Then slice the chicken into thin strips suitable for wrapping.
- Assemble the Shawarma: Warm your pita bread and fill each with sliced chicken, fresh tomato slices, cucumber slices, red onion, and a generous drizzle of garlic sauce (Toum).
- Serve: Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the shawarma to add a fresh burst of citrus flavor.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight, but a minimum of 1 hour is sufficient.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat, but thighs remain juicier.
- Use store-bought garlic sauce for convenience or try making homemade Toum for authentic taste.
- Warm the pita bread before assembling to make it soft and pliable.
- This recipe can be served with additional toppings like pickles, fresh parsley, or hot sauce based on preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keywords: chicken shawarma recipe, Middle Eastern chicken, homemade shawarma, garlic sauce, pita wrap, marinated chicken, easy chicken dinner
