Easy Homemade Chicken Shawarma

Chicken shawarma is a beloved Middle Eastern dish known for its rich flavors and aromas. It’s a culinary delight that brings together Mediterranean flavors in a unique way. This dish has its roots in street food culture and has grown to include many ingredients and cooking methods.

The secret to a great chicken shawarma is in its authentic ingredients and techniques. These elements create a perfect balance of flavors, making the dish unforgettable. Whether you love food or just want to try something new, chicken shawarma is a must-try.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Chicken Shawarma

To make a real shawarma, you need top-notch ingredients, like marinated chicken. The right spices and marinades make the chicken taste great and stay tender. Here are the main things to look for:

• Fresh and tender chicken breast or thighs
• A blend of aromatic spices, such as cumin, coriander, and paprika
• A marinade made with yogurt, lemon juice, and olive oil
• Crunchy vegetables, like onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers

A basic shawarma recipe has marinated chicken, warm pita bread, veggies, and tahini sauce. Start by marinating the chicken in yogurt, lemon juice, and spices. Grill or cook it until it’s tender and juicy. While the chicken cooks, get your veggies and sauce ready.

For a true shawarma, mix the flavors and textures right. Marinated chicken must be cooked just right. The veggies should be fresh and crunchy. With a good recipe and quality ingredients, you can make a tasty Middle Eastern dish at home.

Mastering the Chicken Shawarma Marinade

To get the real taste of chicken shawarma, you need to master the marinade. A good marinade makes the chicken tender and full of flavor. It’s all about the right mix of spices and how you marinate the chicken.

Mediterranean flavors are key in a shawarma marinade. Spices like cumin, coriander, and sumac give it that special taste. For a great marinade, use fresh, quality spices. Here are some tips for marinating chicken shawarma:

• Start with olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic as your marinade base.
• Add spices like cumin, coriander, and sumac for that Mediterranean flavor.
• Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours or overnight to soak up the flavors.

By using these tips and the right spices, you can make delicious homemade shawarma. It will taste just like the Mediterranean. With a bit of practice, you’ll get the hang of making a tasty shawarma marinade.

How to Make Shawarma (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

The key to a fantastic Shawarma is in the marinade. In a large glass baking dish, combine the malt vinegar, plain yogurt, vegetable oil, mixed spices, salt, pepper, and cardamom. Whisk until well blended. Incorporate the chicken thighs, ensuring they are evenly coated in the marinade in the marinade. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for maximum flavor absorption.

Step 2: Prepare the Tahini Sauce

While the chicken is marinating, you can prepare the tahini sauce. In a small bowl, mix the tahini, yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped parsley. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, then cover and refrigerate. This sauce will add a creamy, flavorful touch to your sandwiches.

Step 3: Bake the Chicken

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it in a baking dish, covering it with the marinade. Bake for 30 minutes, turning the chicken halfway through for even cooking. Uncover the dish and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through.

Step 4: Assemble the Shawarma

Once the chicken has finished cooking, give it a few minutes to rest before slicing it into strips. Take a pita bread round and layer it with sliced chicken, tomatoes, onions, and shredded lettuce. Drizzle with the prepared tahini sauce, roll it up, and enjoy!

Expert Tips for Success

• Marination Time: For the best flavor, don’t rush the marination. If possible, marinate the chicken overnight.
• Avoid Overcooking: Keep an eye on the chicken while baking to prevent it from drying out. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
• Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables and herbs elevate the sandwich. Opt for ripe tomatoes and crisp lettuce for the best texture.

Variations and Customizations

• Spice it Up: If you enjoy heat, add some cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the marinade.
• Veggie Shawarma: For a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken with marinated grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms.
• Gluten-Free Option: Serve the chicken over a bed of lettuce instead of in pita bread for a gluten-free meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

You can store leftover Shawarma in a sealed container in the refrigerator for as long as three days. To reheat, place the chicken in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. If using the microwave, heat in short intervals to avoid drying out the chicken.

Serving Your Homemade Shawarma

Serving your homemade chicken shawarma right can make a big difference. Middle Eastern food is all about bright, bold flavors. Adding traditional sides like tahini sauce, pickled turnips, and sumac onions can really bring out the taste of your shawarma.

Sauce and Garnish Options

Want to add your own twist? Try different sauces and garnishes. Here are some ideas:

With a mix of traditional sides and your own sauce choices, your chicken shawarma will be a feast for the eyes and taste buds. It’s a true celebration of Middle Eastern cuisine.

Related Recipes

If you enjoyed this Shawarma recipe, you might also like:

• Beef Shawarma: A similar recipe with succulent beef strips marinated in Middle Eastern spices.
• Falafel Wrap: A vegetarian alternative made with crispy falafel balls, fresh veggies, and tahini sauce.
• Grilled Chicken Kebabs: Marinated chicken skewers perfect for grilling on a summer evening.
• Chicken shawarma bowl: Packed with bold Middle Eastern flavors, the Chicken Shawarma Bowl features tender, spiced chicken served over a bed of fluffy rice or crisp greens, topped with fresh veggies, creamy hummus, and a drizzle of garlic or tahini sauce. A delicious and wholesome meal in every bite!

Congratulations! You’ve now mastered the art of making chicken shawarma at home. You’ve picked the best ingredients, made the perfect marinade, and cooked it just right. This journey through Middle Eastern flavors is just the beginning.

When you enjoy your shawarma recipe, remember to use the freshest ingredients. The right spices, marinating time, and cooking method all add up to a true Middle Eastern taste. Try different flavors to find your favorite.

Wrap your homemade shawarma in warm pita bread. Add fresh veggies, creamy sauces, and crunchy toppings. The colors, smells, and textures of homemade shawarma make it a feast for the senses. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a trip to the Middle East’s lively streets.

Keep exploring Middle Eastern cuisine. Let chicken shawarma inspire you to try new dishes and discover more of this rich tradition. Bon appétit!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Easy Homemade Chicken Shawarma 30min

Ola Recipes

A flavorful Lebanese sandwich recipe featuring marinated chicken wrapped in pita bread, topped with fresh veggies and a creamy sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Servings 8 servings

Calories 402 kcal

Ingredients

  

• ½ cup malt vinegar
• ¼ cup plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground cardamom
• 8 skinless boneless chicken thighs
• ½ cup tahini
• ¼ cup plain yogurt
• ½ teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 4 medium tomatoes thinly sliced
• ½ cup sliced onion
• 4 cups shredded lettuce
• 8 pita bread rounds

Instructions

 

• In a glass baking dish, mix together the malt vinegar, ¼ cup yogurt, vegetable oil, mixed spice, cardamom, salt, and pepper.
• Place the chicken thighs in the mixture and turn to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a small bowl, mix together the tahini, ¼ cup yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper, taste, and adjust flavors if desired. Cover and refrigerate.
• Cover the chicken and bake in the marinade for 30 minutes, turning once. Uncover and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove from the dish and cut into slices.
• Place sliced chicken, tomato, onion, and lettuce onto pita breads. Roll up, and top with tahini sauce.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the spices to suit your taste!

Keyword Chicken shawarma, easy shawarma recipe, homemade shawarma, Lebanese sandwich, lebanese sandwich recipe, pita bread filling