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Chicken Shawarma

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This Chicken Shawarma recipe brings bold Middle Eastern street food flavors right to your kitchen. Juicy, marinated chicken thighs are infused with warm spices like paprika, cumin, turmeric, and cardamom, then grilled to perfection. Served in warm pita bread with hummus, tzatziki, and fresh vegetables, this easy homemade shawarma is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.

Ingredients

  • For the Chicken:
    • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika (or sweet paprika)
    • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
    • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or crushed red pepper flakes)
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • For Serving:
    • Pita bread
    • Hummus
    • Tzatziki sauce
    • Sliced tomatoes
    • Sliced cucumbers
    • Sliced red onion
    • Fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest, and olive oil.
  2. Add chicken thighs and toss until fully coated.
  3. Cover and marinate at room temperature for 1–2 hours, or refrigerate overnight for maximum flavor.
  4. Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
  5. Cook chicken for 5–7 minutes per side, until cooked through and slightly charred.
  6. Rest chicken for a few minutes, then slice thinly.
  7. Warm pita bread and fill with sliced chicken, hummus, tzatziki, and fresh vegetables. Garnish with parsley.

Notes

  • Swap chicken thighs for lamb, beef, or shrimp (shrimp only needs ~30 minutes to marinate).
  • Try different breads such as lavash or naan, or use lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.
  • Allspice can replace cinnamon for a different spice profile.
  • Tzatziki can be made with Greek or regular yogurt.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipesbyliza.com/chicken-shawarma/