This Chicken Shawarma is a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired recipe that features tender chicken thighs seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices, served atop crisp greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers, drizzled with zesty lemon and garlic marinade.
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Updated July 2023
Delicious and Flavorful Chicken Shawarma
If you’re looking to add some exciting flavors to your dinner table, then you’re in for a treat! This Middle Eastern-inspired Chicken Shawarma recipe is bursting with aromatic spices, succulent chicken thighs, over a refreshing salad.
Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner or a weekend gathering with friends, this Chicken Shawarma Salad is sure to be a delightful and satisfying addition to your culinary repertoire. Plus, this recipe is not only delicious, but it’s a wholesome meal that also gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, low carb, keto and Whole30 compliant.
What is Chicken Shawarma?
Chicken Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern dish known for its succulent and flavorful marinated chicken. It is typically made by stacking seasoned slices of chicken on a vertical rotisserie, allowing the meat to cook slowly and evenly. As the outer layers become crispy and caramelized, they are shaved off and served in various ways, such as in a pita wrap, on a plate with accompaniments, or as part of a salad. The combination of aromatic spices, tender chicken, and vibrant toppings makes Chicken Shawarma a beloved street food and restaurant favorite worldwide.
Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs: The star of the show! Boneless and skinless chicken thighs offer the perfect tender and juicy texture for this dish.
For the Seasoning:
- Sea Salt: Enhances the flavors and brings out the best in the spices.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness to the dish, elevating the taste.
- Ground Coriander: Imparts a warm and citrusy flavor to the Shawarma.
- Cayenne Pepper: Adds a gentle kick of heat, making the dish vibrant.
- Ground Turmeric: Brings a beautiful golden color and mild earthy flavor.
- Black Pepper: Adds a nice touch of spiciness.
- Dried Oregano: Offers a hint of herbal aroma.
- Ground Cinnamon: Provides a delicate sweetness to balance the spices.
Shawarma Marinade:
- Garlic: Aromatic and pungent, garlic infuses the chicken with a rich taste.
- Lemon Zest: Brightens up the marinade with its tangy essence.
- Olive Oil or Avocado Oil: Provides a luscious base for the marinade and keeps the chicken moist during cooking.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Offers a zesty and refreshing element to the dish.
Salad:
- Assorted Greens: A fresh bed of greens complements the Shawarma perfectly.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Add pops of color and juiciness to the salad.
- Cucumbers: Refreshing and crunchy, cucumbers complete the salad.
- Pickled Onions: Intensify the flavors and add a delightful tang to the dish.
Optional Toppings:
- Tahini Dressing: Creamy and nutty, tahini dressing takes the Shawarma to the next level.
- Avocado: Creamy avocado slices add a velvety texture and healthy fats.
- Hard Boiled Eggs: For an extra protein boost and a unique twist.
- Fresh Parsley and Mint: Chopped herbs for a burst of freshness.
Instructions: How to make Chicken Shawarma
- Season the Chicken: Start by seasoning the chicken thighs with a touch of salt.
- Prepare the Shawarma Seasoning: In a bowl, whisk together all the seasoning ingredients until well combined. Stir in the minced garlic and lemon zest. Slowly add the oil, followed by the lemon juice, creating a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Toss the chicken in the marinade until fully coated. Cover the container and let it marinate in the fridge for at least an hour, but for an even more intense flavor, you can leave it for up to 48 hours.
- Preheat and Roast: When you’re ready to cook, take the marinated chicken out of the fridge and allow it to sit while preheating the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the chicken in a single layer. Coat the chicken with any remaining marinade from the bowl. Roast for about 15 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. For a beautiful browned and crispy texture, broil for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Slice and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked to perfection, remove it from the oven and cut it into slices or chunks.
- Assemble the Shawarma: Lay out a platter of assorted greens, top them with the flavorful chicken, sliced cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers. Now, here’s where you can get creative! Add your favorite toppings like tahini dressing, avocado slices, hard-boiled eggs, and a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley and mint.
Tips for Success
- For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken for at least an hour, or longer if possible.
- To save time on busy days, you can prepare the marinade in advance and store it separately until you’re ready to use it.
Storage and Freezer Instructions
- If you have any leftovers, store the chicken and salad separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To freeze, place the cooked and cooled chicken in freezer-safe bags or containers, and it will stay good for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
- Shawarma can be enjoyed in various ways – you can serve it wrapped in warm pita bread, alongside fluffy rice, or as part of a salad bowl.
Variations and Substitutions
- Feel free to use chicken breasts instead of thighs if you prefer white meat.
- Customize the salad with your favorite veggies and greens for a personalized touch.
- Experiment with different toppings like hummus, pickles, or even a squeeze of lemon juice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs? Yes, you can use chicken breasts if you prefer white meat. However, keep in mind that chicken thighs are generally more tender and flavorful, making them a popular choice for this dish.
2. How long should I marinate the chicken? For optimal flavor, it’s recommended to marinate the chicken for at least one hour. However, you can marinate it for up to 48 hours to intensify the taste even further.
3. Can I make Chicken Shawarma without an oven or rotisserie? Absolutely! While the traditional method involves using a vertical rotisserie or an oven, you can make delicious Chicken Shawarma on a stovetop using a grill pan or in an air fryer. The key is to achieve a nicely charred and cooked exterior.
4. What are some popular toppings and sides for Chicken Shawarma? Chicken Shawarma is often served with a variety of toppings and sides to enhance its taste and texture. Some popular choices include tahini dressing, chopped fresh parsley and mint, marinated onions, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and avocado. Additionally, you can enjoy it with fluffy rice, pita bread, or in a salad bowl.
5. Is Chicken Shawarma spicy? The spiciness of Chicken Shawarma can be adjusted to suit your preference. The cayenne pepper used in the seasoning provides a mild kick, but you can increase or decrease the amount based on your spice tolerance.
6. Is Chicken Shawarma healthy? Chicken Shawarma can be a healthy option, especially when you opt for lean cuts of chicken and load up on fresh vegetables. Additionally, using olive oil in the marinade provides healthy fats. However, keep an eye on portion sizes and be mindful of the condiments and dressings you choose.
More Middle Eastern inspired recipes you might like:
This Chicken Shawarma is a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired recipe that features tender chicken thighs seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices, served atop crisp greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers, drizzled with zesty lemon and garlic marinade.
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 cloves garlic , pressed or minced
- 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil OR avocado oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- For the salad:
- 6 cups assorted greens
- 8 cherry tomatoes , sliced
- 1 1/2 cups sliced cucumbers
- Pickled Onions
- Your favorite tahini dressing
- Avocado
- Hard Boiled Eggs
- Fresh parsley and mint chopped
Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon of salt. In a large airtight container (or a bowl) whisk together all the ingredients for the seasoning until well combined then stir in the garlic followed by the lemon zest. Slowly add the oil (1 tablespoon at a time followed by the lemon juice.
- Add the chicken and toss together until coated well.
Cover and marinate in the fridge for 1 hour or up to 48 hours. (We only marinated ours for 30 minutes and it was still super delicious).
When ready to cook, remove chicken from the fridge and allow to sit while you preheat the oven to 425°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange chicken in a single layer. Coat the chicken with any remaining marinade from the bowl. Roast for 15 minutes (depending on how big your chicken thighs are or if they have bone until cooked through and they reach 165°). For a more browned, crispier chicken, broil for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Remove chicken from oven and cut into slices or chunks.
- Arrange the greens on a platter and top with the chicken, tomatoes, cucumbers and optional toppings. Drizzle with dressing, if desired and marinated onions before serving.
*Recipe slightly adapted from No Crumbs Left with permission from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Disclaimer: This updated post was generated on July 28, 2023 by ChatGPT, an AI language model, and all info should be reviewed and validated by a human for accuracy and relevancy before implementation.
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