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8 Mins delivery

Chicken Shawarma

Serves 4
60 mins
1401 Kcal
Chicken shawarma is one of the most popular Middle Eastern dishes prepared by marinating, spicing the chicken, and cooking it on a vertical rotisserie. It results in very tender and juicy meat with a yummy crispy layer. Chicken is marinated for several hours or overnight in various spices like cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and garlic, usually with yoghurt or olive oil, so it gets even tastier and softer. As the chicken cooks on the rotisserie, it slowly turns, cooking the exterior perfectly and locking within succulent flavours. When cooked, slices are thin so that strips of delicious, tender meat may be wrapped in pita bread or served on a plate. Chicken shawarma recipe typically has loads of condiments served on top-loads of fresh vegetables, like lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickles, and the most creamy tahini or garlic sauce. Therefore, the flexibility of this dish makes it easily consumable as a sandwich, platter, or salad-on-the-go, enjoying the favour of street food lovers and restaurant customers. The chicken shawarma recipe has an exclusive flavour profile due to the kind of spice mix and the use of fresh ingredients. Chicken shawarma is frequently served with side dishes, such as hummus, tabbouleh, or fries; therefore, it is not only a savoury dish for a quick meal but also is a perfect sum of Middle Eastern cuisine, and hence, enjoys so much admiration all over the world.

Ingredients required for Chicken Shawarma

  1. 2 (sliced) chicken breasts
  2. 1 cup plain yoghurt
  3. 2 tsp lemon juice
  4. 6 garlic cloves
  5. 1 tsp onion
  6. 1/2 tsp black pepper
  7. 1/2 tsp salt
  8. 1 cup tahini
  9. 2 tsp chopped parsley
  10. Lettuce
  11. Mixed sprouts
  12. Tomato
  13. Onion

Cooking steps for Chicken Shawarma

  1. 1
    To prepare mouthwatering chicken shawarma, start by making a tasty marinade. Place 1 cup plain yoghurt in a large bowl and blend it with 2 Tsp lemon juice. Add four minced garlic cloves for that intense flavour and the 1/2 Tsps hot pepper sauce to add some heat to the marinade. Add the acidity with 1 Tsps of vinegar, add a bit more texture with 1 Tsps of minced onion, and season with 1/2 Tsps of black pepper, 1/2 Tsps of extra spice with the cayenne pepper, 1/2 Tsps of ground mace with a hint of sweetness, and finally salt at 1/2 Tsps to bring all the flavours together.
  2. 2
    Once the marinade is well mixed, add two sliced chicken breasts to the bowl and make sure they are equally coated. Then, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator. Let the chicken sit for at least 12 hours, stirring them occasionally and ensuring that flavours penetrate the chicken. Good marinating time will guarantee you long, tender, and flavoured chicken.
  3. 3
    Grill the marinated chicken, and you are good to go. Alternatively, you could broil it in the oven for a tasty difference.
  4. 4
    Make sure it is well-done and charred perfectly when grilled to complement the authentic taste of shawarma. Meanwhile, prepare the tahini sauce while cooking the chicken.
  5. 5
    Add one cup of tahini, two minced garlic cloves, and 2 Tsps of lemon juice in another mixing bowl. Mix 2 Tsps of chopped parsley to give the dish a fresh feel. Whisk the mixture of tahini thoroughly so all the ingredients combine well. If you desire a thinner sauce, gradually add 1/2 cup of water to make it reach your desire. The tahini sauce must be creamy and smooth, perfect to drizzle over your assembled shawarma. Now comes the final step of forming the shawarma sandwich, with the chicken cooked and tahini sauce at hand.
  6. 6
    Begin by cutting a piece of pita bread open; it will serve as the foundation for all the luscious fillings. Add generous amounts of tahini sauce inside the pita.
  7. 7
    Sprinkle a few fresh vegetables for crunch and freshness next. Chop up the lettuce, mixed sprouts, tomatoes, and onions to fill inside the pita. These toppings not only create a refreshing contrast to the warm chicken but also enhance the whole flavour profile of the shawarma.
  8. 8
    Finally, place the cooked chicken on top of the vegetables so the heat from the chicken will slightly wilt the greens. Finish your shawarma sandwich by drizzling a little tzatziki sauce on top for added creaminess and flavour.
  9. 9
    Enjoy your homemade chicken shawarma, now full of those appetizing flavours and textures that surely would satiate your taste buds.

Shop Ingredients

Chicken Breasts (2 (sliced))
275
1
215
1
Onion
86
1
179
1
31
1
40
1
140
1
104
1
189
1
100
1
100
1
Garlic Cloves (6)
113
1
102
1
169
1
122
1
197
1
166
1
135
1
130
1
Tomato
25
1
20
1
31
1
34
1
66
1
38
1
Onion (1 Tsp)
86
1
179
1
31
1
40
1
140
1
104
1
189
1
100
1
100
1
Lemon Juice (2 Tsp)
37
1
123
1
Plain Yoghurt (1 cup)
26
1
32
1
39
1
50
1
121
1
31
1
150
1
70
1
148
1
75
1
Salt (1/2 Tsp)
27
1
21
1
97
1
22
1
50
1
107
1
57
1
105
1
47
1
67
1
Lettuce
65
1
Black Pepper (1/2 Tsp)
39
1
134
1
270
1
247
1
201
1
135
1
91
1
130
1
168
1
223
1

FAQs

Is chicken shawarma healthy?

Chicken shawarma can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. It is rich in protein due to the chicken, but the overall nutritional value depends on how it's prepared and the sides or sauces served with it. Choosing whole-wheat wraps, adding vegetables, and limiting high-calorie sauces can make it a healthier option.

How do I store leftover chicken shawarma?

Leftover chicken shawarma can be kept for almost 3 to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Please keep the chicken and vegetables separate from the pita bread and sauce for best results. If you intend to store it for longer, you may freeze the chicken after cooking it for up to 3 months. You have to thaw it first in the fridge and again reheat it in the oven or on the stovetop while eating.

How do I serve chicken shawarma?

Serve chicken shawarma with Tzatziki sauce, tahini or a yoghurt sauce and enjoy it!