Description
Delectable chicken shawarma brings Middle Eastern street flavors to home kitchens with marinated grilled chicken wrapped in warm pita. Crisp vegetables, tangy sauce, and aromatic spices create a memorable meal for hungry diners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 1 large red onion, sliced
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) ground cumin
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) ground paprika
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) ground turmeric
- ½ tbsp (7.5 ml) ground cinnamon
- ½ tbsp (7.5 ml) ground coriander
- ¼ tbsp (3.75 ml) ground black pepper
- ¼ tbsp (3.75 ml) ground cloves
- ¼ tbsp (3.75 ml) cayenne pepper
- ½ tbsp (7.5 ml) salt
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 cup (240 ml) plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt, to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Warmed pitas
- Romaine lettuce, chopped
- Tomatoes, diced
- Cucumber, sliced
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper into a harmonious blend that will transform chicken thighs with Middle Eastern flair.
- Marinating Process: Thoroughly coat chicken thighs in the spice mixture, adding sliced onions to absorb flavors. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and tenderize the meat.
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange marinated chicken and onions in a single layer, ensuring maximum surface exposure for optimal caramelization.
- Roasting Stage: Bake chicken for 25-30 minutes, rotating the pan midway to guarantee even browning. Chicken is ready when exterior turns golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Resting and Sauce Creation: Let chicken rest for 5-7 minutes. Meanwhile, combine Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of red pepper flakes to craft a tangy, creamy sauce.
- Final Assembly: Slice roasted chicken into thin strips. Warm pita bread and layer with chicken, caramelized onions, romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, and cucumber. Generously drizzle yogurt sauce over the filled pitas.
Notes
- Marinate Thoroughly: Ensure chicken is completely submerged in spices for at least 2 hours to maximize flavor penetration and meat tenderness.
- Optimize Oven Placement: Arrange chicken and onions with adequate spacing on the baking sheet to guarantee even browning and consistent cooking.
- Rest Before Slicing: Allow roasted chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking, enabling juice redistribution and maintaining optimal meat texture.
- Sauce Enhances Experience: Prepare yogurt sauce with balanced ingredients to complement the complex spice profile and add a refreshing contrast to the rich, roasted chicken.
- Prep Time: 15min
- Cook Time: 30min
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg