Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern dish that typically consists of spiced, marinated meat (usually lamb, chicken, or beef) that’s cooked on a vertical rotisserie. However, you can easily make a delicious homemade shawarma using a grill or stovetop. Here’s how to prepare a simple and tasty chicken shawarma at home:
Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern dish that typically consists of spiced, marinated meat (usually lamb, chicken, or beef) that’s cooked on a vertical rotisserie. However, you can easily make a delicious homemade shawarma using a grill or stovetop. Here’s how to prepare a simple and tasty chicken shawarma at home:
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Marinade:
- Chicken thighs (boneless, skinless): 500 grams (you can also use chicken breast, but thighs are juicier)
- Plain yogurt: 1/2 cup
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
- Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic (minced): 4 cloves
- Ground cumin: 1 teaspoon
- Ground coriander: 1 teaspoon
- Ground paprika: 1 teaspoon
- Ground turmeric: 1/2 teaspoon
- Ground cinnamon: 1/4 teaspoon
- Ground allspice: 1/4 teaspoon
- Ground black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Chili powder (optional, for heat): 1/2 teaspoon
- Fresh parsley (chopped, optional): 2 tablespoons
For the Shawarma Sauce:
- Tahini: 3 tablespoons
- Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
- Garlic (minced): 1-2 cloves
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
- Water: 2-3 tablespoons (to thin out the sauce)
- Salt and pepper: to taste
For Assembling:
- Pita bread or flatbreads: 4-6
- Fresh vegetables (optional, for topping):
- Tomatoes (sliced)
- Cucumbers (sliced)
- Red onion (thinly sliced)
- Lettuce or cabbage (shredded)
- Pickles (optional)
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
- Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, combine yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and all the spices (cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, salt, and chili powder). Stir well to combine.
- Marinate the chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into strips or leave them whole, depending on your preference. Add the chicken to the marinade and mix until the chicken is fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours (or preferably overnight) to let the flavors infuse.
2. Cook the Chicken:
You can cook the chicken on a grill, stovetop, or oven, depending on what you prefer.
- Grilling: Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and slightly charred.
- Stovetop: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken for 7-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Once done, remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing into thin strips.
- Oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Place the marinated chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until fully cooked. You can also broil it for 2-3 minutes at the end to get a crispy texture.
3. Prepare the Shawarma Sauce:
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce.
- Mix the sauce ingredients: In a small bowl, combine tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add water little by little, stirring continuously, until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
4. Assemble the Shawarma:
- Prepare the wraps: Warm your pita bread or flatbreads slightly on a griddle or in the microwave for a few seconds so they’re soft and pliable.
- Assemble the shawarma: On each pita or flatbread, spread a little bit of tahini sauce. Add a few strips of the cooked chicken. Top with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, lettuce, and pickles. You can also sprinkle some fresh parsley on top for added flavor.
- Wrap and serve: Fold the pita bread around the filling, securing the edges, and serve immediately.
Enjoy Your Shawarma!
You can enjoy your homemade shawarma with a side of fries, hummus, or a refreshing cucumber-yogurt dip (Tzatziki). This is a simple version of the traditional shawarma, but it’s packed with flavor and perfect for a satisfying meal at home.
Let me know if you’d like more variations, like for beef or lamb shawarma!
4o mini
