Homemade Chicken Shawarma
Homemade Chicken Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish that’s become a popular street food around the world, but it’s easy enough to make in your own kitchen. This recipe calls for boneless skinless chicken thighs that are marinated in a fragrant mixture of spices. Bake the chicken in the oven, then toss it into pita bread with cucumber, tomatoes, pickles, and a homemade white sauce made with Greek yogurt and lemon juice.
TIME
Prep:
Cook:
Plus at least 4 hrs marinating
Homemade Chicken Shawarma
Homemade chicken shawarma is a delicious Middle Eastern dish that is sure to hit the spot. The aromatic mixture of spices in which the chicken marinates adds an intense flavor that fills your taste buds with delight. Preparing this dish yourself is easy and fun, as it’s not difficult to get all the ingredients you need no matter where you live. Once it’s cooked, top it with fresh vegetables and condiments to make a meal that is sure to impress your friends and family at any gathering. Homemade chicken shawarma can also be eaten cold or hot, making it a great choice for lunch or dinner so don’t hesitate to give it a try!
To make the perfect shawarma, it is essential to use a thigh fillet with the skin taken off. To do this, you need to remove the skin and then run a sharp knife along the edges to separate a fillet of meat from the bone. The meat created should be slightly thicker so that when its cooked, it has a perfectly juicy and tender result. Cooked properly and topped with spices and wrap in pita bread, this homemade chicken shawarma will truly delight your taste-buds!
Ingredients
for 4 servings
- 2 ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs(1.1 kg), trimmed
MARINADE
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon sumac
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, sliced
WHITE SAUCE
- 1 cup whole milk greek yogurt(245 g)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
FOR SERVING
- pita bread, warmed
- cucumber, sliced
- tomato, sliced
- pickle
Preparation
- Combine all marinade ingredients in a large bowl and whisk together.
- Add the chicken thighs and coat evenly.
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours
- Prepare the sauce by adding all sauce ingredients to a small bowl. Mix together and chill until ready to serve.
- Adjust the oven rack about 6 inches (15 cm) from the top heat source in your oven, then preheat the broiler.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and a wire rack.
- Place chicken in single layer on prepared wire rack, with the smooth sides down. Broil until chicken is well browned and registers at least 165˚F (74˚C), about 16-20 minutes. You may need to rotate the sheet pan halfway through if your broiler heats unevenly. Remove and rest the chicken for 5 minutes before handling, and turn off the oven.
- While chicken rests, warm your pitas in the still-warm oven for a few minutes.
- Slice the chicken into thin strips and transfer to platter.
- Serve with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, pickles, prepared yogurt sauce, and warm pita.
- Enjoy!
Thigh fillet is a popular cut of chicken that many people enjoy. Those looking for a healthy alternative may be interested in Thigh Fillet Skin Off. Thigh Fillet Skin Off provides the same juicy and full-flavoured chicken taste you expect from Thigh Fillet, but without the added fat from the skin. Thighs are a leaner cut of meat, making them ideal for those looking to manage their calorie intake without sacrificing any flavour. Thigh Fillet Skin off offers a healthier alternative that won’t leave you feeling deprived – it’s an excellent way to get your protein fix!