Description
Enjoy a flavorful and easy Chicken Shawarma recipe, featuring tender chicken marinated in aromatic spices and paired with a luscious homemade garlic sauce. This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a satisfying weekend feast.
Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs (500g / 1.1lb): Cut into 2cm strips.
- Olive Oil (2 Tbsp / 30ml): For marinating.
- Ground Cumin (1 tsp / 5g): Essential for shawarma flavor.
- Ground Coriander (1 tsp / 5g): Adds a citrusy note.
- Smoked Paprika (1 tsp / 5g): For depth and smokiness.
- Ground Turmeric (½ tsp / 2g): Adds color and earthy flavor.
- Ground Cinnamon (½ tsp / 2g): Adds warmth and sweetness.
- Ground Black Pepper (½ tsp / 2g): For spice.
- Kosher Salt (1 tsp / 5g): Enhances flavors.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced / ≈10g / 0.35oz): For the marinade.
- Lemon Juice (Juice of 1 lemon / ≈30ml / 2 Tbsp): Brightens and tenderizes.
- Sumac (½ tsp / 2g): (Optional) For tangy garnish.
- Garlic (4 cloves, peeled / ≈20g / 0.7oz): For the garlic sauce.
- Neutral Oil (60ml / ¼ cup): (e.g., grapeseed) For emulsifying the sauce.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (60ml / ¼ cup): Adds rich flavor to the sauce.
- Lemon Juice (2 Tbsp / 30ml): For the garlic sauce.
- Salt (½ tsp / 2g): Seasons the garlic sauce.
- Water (1 Tbsp / 15ml): To thin the garlic sauce.
- Flatbreads (4 small): Pita or laffa bread.
- Greek Yogurt (½ cup / 120g): (Optional) For cooling creaminess.
- Fresh Parsley (2 Tbsp / 30g, chopped): For garnish.
- Pomegranate Arils (1 Tbsp / 15g): For sweetness and color.
- Sumac Dust (1 Tbsp / 5g): (Optional) For garnish.
- Cucumber (½ small, thinly sliced / ≈50g / 1.8oz): For refreshing crunch.
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Combine marinade ingredients and coat chicken strips. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to overnight.
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Bake Chicken: Spread chicken on the sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until cooked through.
- Make Garlic Sauce: Blend garlic and salt, then slowly drizzle in oils. Add lemon juice and adjust seasoning.
- Warm Flatbreads: Warm flatbreads in the oven or on a skillet.
- Assemble Shawarma: Spread sauce on flatbread, layer chicken, cucumber, yogurt (optional), and garnish.
Notes
Marinating the chicken for longer enhances the flavor. Using chicken thighs ensures a moist and tender result.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: chicken shawarma,middle eastern,garlic sauce,easy recipe,weeknight dinner,shawarma,chicken,middle east
