Description
This chicken shawarma recipe captures the bold, spiced flavor of traditional Middle Eastern street food using a powerful yogurt-based marinade and high-heat cooking. Tender chicken thighs are infused with warm spices, lemon, and garlic for juicy, charred perfection—perfect for serving in pitas or as part of a vibrant platter.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 6–8 garlic cloves, minced or grated
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1–2 tbsp neutral oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and all spices until well combined.
- Add chicken thighs, toss to coat, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Heat 1–2 tablespoons of oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in batches for 5–7 minutes per side until charred and fully cooked.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5–10 minutes.
- Slice thinly against the grain and serve warm.
Notes
For a smokier flavor, grill the marinated chicken over high heat for 5–6 minutes per side.
Serve with hummus, pita, and fresh salads for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan-Searing or Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~6 oz cooked chicken
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: chicken shawarma, Middle Eastern, shawarma marinade, grilled chicken, yogurt marinade, halal chicken