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+ servings
Sliced chicken thighs with a golden-yellow and reddish-brown spice crust for our Chicken Shawarma Recipe.
FL Recipes

Chicken Shawarma Recipe: Deeply Charred & Golden-Spiced

Master the ultimate Chicken Shawarma Recipe featuring deeply charred, golden-yellow spice-crusted chicken thighs, thin red onions, and a creamy white garlic sauce on warm flatbread.
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean, middle eastern
Calories: 620

Ingredients
  

Chicken & Marinade
  • 2 lbs Boneless skinless chicken thighs Pat completely dry before marinating.
  • 1/4 cup Olive oil (60ml)
  • 2 tbsp Lemon juice (30ml) freshly squeezed.
  • 1 tbsp Ground cumin (15g)
  • 1 tbsp Smoked paprika (15g)
  • 1 tsp Turmeric (5g) for golden-yellow color.
  • 1.5 tsp Kosher salt (9g)
  • 1 tsp Black pepper (5g)
Garlic Sauce & Assembly
  • 1/2 cup Plain Greek yogurt (120ml)
  • 1/4 cup Mayonnaise (60ml)
  • 3 cloves Garlic Minced.
  • 4 pieces Warm flatbreads Pita or naan, slightly toasted.
  • 1/2 cup Fresh green parsley (30g) finely chopped.
  • 1 small Red onion Sliced into thin half-moons.
  • 1 tbsp Dark red sumac powder (8g) for garnish.

Equipment

  • 1 Cast Iron Skillet Essential for high-heat caramelization.
  • 1 Chef's Knife For slicing the red onions into thin half-moons.
  • 1 Stainless Steel Tongs For turning chicken without losing the crust.

Method
 

Preparation & Cooking
  1. Combine 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil, 2 tbsp (30ml) lemon juice, 1 tbsp (15g) cumin, 1 tbsp (15g) smoked paprika, 1 tsp (5g) turmeric, 1.5 tsp (9g) kosher salt, and 1 tsp (5g) black pepper in a large glass bowl. Whisk vigorously. Toss your 2 lbs (900g) of chicken thighs into the bowl and massage the spices into the meat. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until lightly smoking. Place the chicken thighs flat in the pan without crowding. Sear undisturbed for 5-7 minutes per side to develop a deep golden-yellow crust with crispy, caramelized edges. Remove to a cutting board, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk 1/2 cup (120ml) Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup (60ml) mayonnaise, and 3 minced garlic cloves until completely smooth and brilliantly white.
  4. Warm your 4 flatbreads in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side until slightly toasted. Pile the sliced, deeply charred chicken strips into the center. Drizzle generously with the thick, creamy white garlic sauce. Garnish with finely chopped fresh green parsley, thin half-moons of crisp red onion, and a light sprinkle of dark red sumac powder.

Nutrition

Calories: 620kcalProtein: 45gFat: 42gFiber: 3g

Notes

Dry the chicken first before marinating to ensure a proper sear.
Do not crowd the skillet to avoid steaming the meat.
Always rest the chicken before slicing to keep the interior tender.
Keyword Chicken Shawarma Recipe,garlic sauce,Homemade Shawarma

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