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Chicken Shawarma

Chicken shawarma with aromatic spice-rubbed, charred chicken and a lemon-garlic marinade. Served in warm pita with tahini drizzle and crunchy vegetables.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
marinating 4 hours
Total Time 7 hours 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 820

Ingredients
  

Chicken shawarma marinade
  • 2 lb chicken thighs, boneless
  • 0.25 cup olive oil
  • 0.25 cup lemon juice
  • 4 garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp coriander
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste
For serving
  • Pita bread
  • tahini sauce
  • tomatoes
  • cucumbers
  • onions
  • pickles

Method
 

Make the marinade
  1. In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, and pepper until fully blended and fragrant; the spice rub should look evenly distributed.
  2. Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat thoroughly, making sure every surface is covered with the aromatic spice mixture.
Marinate
  1. Cover and refrigerate the chicken to marinate for 4-24 hours, allowing the spices to darken slightly and cling to the meat as it sits.
Grill the chicken
  1. Preheat the grill for medium-high heat and let it get hot enough to sear, then place the chicken on the grates and grill for 6-7 minutes per side; look for clear char spots and cooked-through centers.
  2. While grilling, avoid moving the chicken too soon so it develops a browned, charred crust before flipping.
Rest, slice, and serve
  1. Transfer the chicken to a plate and rest briefly before slicing thinly so the juices stay in the meat rather than running out.
  2. Warm pita bread, then fill with sliced chicken, add tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and pickles, and finish with a tahini drizzle for classic Middle Eastern flavor.

Notes

Pro tip: If your marinade is very thick, massage it in well so the spices adhere to the chicken; marinating closer to 24 hours boosts depth. Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days; freeze cooked chicken up to 2 months (freeze sliced or whole, then reheat). For a lighter option, use reduced-fat tahini sauce or a yogurt-tahini mix while keeping the spice marinade the same.