Best Chicken Shawarma Recipe

Shawarma is usually slowly cooked on a rotisserie and shaved off in thin slices into a pita. Our version gives you equally tender and even juicier chicken that’s simple to make at home. Use the chicken in a salad, on a pita, or over rice. However you serve it, you’re going to love it. 

Best Chicken Shawarma

YIELDS: 6 SERVINGS

PREP TIME: 0 HOURS 15 MINS

TOTAL TIME: 3 HOURS 15 MINS

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE CHICKEN

• 1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 2 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs
• Cooking spray
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced

FOR YOGURT SAUCE

• 1/2 c. Greek yogurt
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
• Kosher salt
• Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

FOR SERVING

• Pitas, warmed
• Chopped romaine
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Cucumber, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS

1. Make chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, garlic, and seasonings. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 425° and grease a large baking sheet with cooking spray. Add onion to marinade and toss to coat. Remove chicken and onion from marinade and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake until chicken is golden and cooked through, 30 minutes. Let chicken rest on cutting board for 5 minutes, then thinly slice.
3. Meanwhile, make yogurt sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, oil, and garlic. Season with salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes. To serve as a pita, top warmed pitas with chicken, onion, romaine, tomatoes, cucumber, and yogurt sauce.

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