Crispy Chicken Shawarma

The ultimate chilled chicken shawarma recipe

Introduction

Crispy Chicken Shawarma is one of the most popular dishes of the Middle East which has gained popularity around the globe as a street food. It is a popular dish because of its juicy, rich chicken marinated with aromatic spices and crispy on the edges. The flavors and textures are delicious, with each bite served in a warm pita bread, fresh vegetables and creamy garlic sauce. The most fun of making a Crispy Chicken Shawarma at home is you can make it with fresh ingredients and spice it up to your taste and you can make it healthier without sacrificing the taste. This shawarma recipe makes an easy, restaurant-quality meal for the whole family, or when you're entertaining.



So, what is Crispy Chicken Shawarma?

Chicken Shawarma is a traditional Middle Eastern food, typically prepared on a large vertical rotisserie. Thin slices of marinated chicken are slowly roasted until tender and slightly crispy before being shaved off and served in wraps, sandwiches, or rice bowls. Although shawarma is typically a street food or restaurant item, you can easily make a delicious shawarma at home with a skillet, grill, oven or air fryer. The secret is in the flavoursome marinade that contains a mix of warm spices, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and yogurt. The chicken is crispy on the sides and tender and juicy on the interior when cooked on medium-high heat. 

Ingredients You'll Need

For authentic Crispy Chicken Shawarma, you need 500 grams of boneless chicken thighs or chicken breast, ½ cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 4 cloves of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, ½ teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon oregano. You can also add a bit of cinnamon or allspice for a more traditional taste. For the shawarma wraps, make soft pita bread or tortillas, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, sliced onions and pickles, and creamy garlic sauce or tahini sauce.

Step by Step Crispy Chicken Shawarma

Begin by making the marinade. Mix together the plain yogurt, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, turmeric, black pepper, chilli powder, oregano and salt in a large mixing bowl. Combine all ingredients until blended, fragrant mixture. Place the chicken pieces into a bowl and brush the marinade onto the chicken. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight for the most flavorful and tender chicken.

Once you're ready to cook, heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat; lightly coat with olive oil. Add the marinated chicken to the pan, but not overcrowding. Cook until chicken is deep golden brown and has crispy edges, about 6 to 8 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Use a food thermometer to check and be sure the food is thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F). After that place the chicken on a cutting board and allow it to rest for 5 minutes then cut into thin strips. The chicken will have more juicy flavor retained and will not get dry when resting.  

Warm the pita bread or tortilla for a few seconds to soften before making the shawarma wrap. Spread an abundant amount of garlic sauce or tahini on the bread. Freshen up the lettuce, sliced tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and pickles. Roll tightly into a bread wrap, add sliced crispy chicken on top (if using) and finish with extra garlic sauce. To give the shawarma a crispy texture, lightly toast in a hot pan for 1-2 minutes on each side before serving.

This homemade Shawarma is Better, For WHY?

There are some benefits to making Crispy Chicken Shawarma at home rather than ordering take out. Find fresh, high quality ingredients, less oil and no need of unwanted preservatives. The homemade marinade adds to the taste of chicken, but doesn't overpower it. The recipe can be adjusted according to your family's taste by including additional spices, vegetables or sauces. It can easily be cooked ahead of time, making it a great option for meal prepping and hectic weekdays.

Here are some tips on how to prepare the best chicken shawarma ever:

Chicken thighs give juicier results than chicken breast, as there is slightly more fat in the thighs. For chicken breast, don't overcook it so it won't be dry. Marinating the chicken overnight will help the spices to soak in to the meat helping to imbue it with flavour throughout. Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking - this will help the chicken brown correctly and not steam. Let the chicken cool before cutting to make it tender and juicy, and lightly toast the wrap to give it a crunchy outside.

Serving Suggestions

Crispy Chicken Shawarma can be prepared in a myriad of delicious ways. Wrapping it in warm pita bread, fresh vegetables and garlic sauce is the traditional choice. It's also a delicious addition to grilled vegetables and hummus over cooked rice. Shawarma is often served with crispy, fried French fries, roasted potatoes, coleslaw, fresh salad or creamy yogurt dip. The rich flavors pair well with fresh lemonade, mint yogurt, iced tea or soft drinks for drinks.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover Crispy Chicken Shawarma can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in a skillet, the oven or an air fryer to keep it crispy; do not heat it in the microwave. Cooked chicken may be frozen for up to two months if you want to prepare food ahead of time. Just thaw it out overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.

Health Benefits

Homemade Crispy Chicken Shawarma is chock full of lean protein, which aids in building and repairing muscles and satisfies for longer. The yogurt marinade softens and gives a slight tangy taste and the fresh vegetables are a good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Making the meal at home gives you more control over the ingredients used, which makes it a healthier version of a lot of fast foods, but with a better taste.

Conclusion

Crispy Chicken Shawarma is a delicious, hearty and simple recipe that adds a true flavor of Middle Eastern cuisine to your dishes. This recipe is a family favorite for its perfectly seasoned chicken, crispy golden edges, fresh vegetables and creamy garlic sauce sandwiched between warm pita bread. From lunch to dinner, meal prep, or when you want a very special meal, homemade Crispy Chicken Shawarma is so flavorful, easy to make, and always makes a restaurant-worthy meal. Give this recipe a try today and savor a healthier, tastier, and cheaper shawarma than you'd get from takeout!

Ingredients You'll Need

For authentic Crispy Chicken Shawarma, you need 500 grams of boneless chicken thighs or chicken breast, ½ cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 4 cloves of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, ½ teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon oregano. You can also add a bit of cinnamon or allspice for a more traditional taste. For the shawarma wraps, make soft pita bread or tortillas, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, sliced onions and pickles, and creamy garlic sauce or

Step by Step Crispy Chicken Shawarma

Begin by making the marinade. Mix together the plain yogurt, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, turmeric, black pepper, chilli powder, oregano and salt in a large mixing bowl. Combine all ingredients until blended, fragrant mixture. Place the chicken pieces into a bowl and brush the marinade onto the chicken. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight for the most flavorful and tender chicken.

Once you're ready to cook, heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat; lightly coat with olive oil. Add the marinated chicken to the pan, but not overcrowding. Cook until chicken is deep golden brown and has crispy edges, about 6 to 8 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Use a food thermometer to check and be sure the food is thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F). After that place the chicken on a cutting board and allow it to rest for 5 minutes then cut into thin strips. The chicken will have more juicy flavor retained and will not get dry when resting.

 

Warm the pita bread or tortilla for a few seconds to soften before making the shawarma wrap. Spread an abundant amount of garlic sauce or tahini on the bread. Freshen up the lettuce, sliced tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and pickles. Roll tightly into a bread wrap, add sliced crispy chicken on top (if using) and finish with extra garlic sauce. To give the shawarma a crispy texture, lightly toast in a hot pan for 1-2 minutes on each side before serving.

This homemade Shawarma is Better, For WHY?

There are some benefits to making Crispy Chicken Shawarma at home rather than ordering take out. Find fresh, high quality ingredients, less oil and no need of unwanted preservatives. The homemade marinade adds to the taste of chicken, but doesn't overpower it. The recipe can be adjusted according to your family's taste by including additional spices, vegetables or sauces. It can easily be cooked ahead of time, making it a great option for meal prepping and hectic weekdays.

Here are some tips on how to prepare the best chicken shawarma ever:

Chicken thighs give juicier results than chicken breast, as there is slightly more fat in the thighs. For chicken breast, don't overcook it so it won't be dry. Marinating the chicken overnight will help the spices to soak in to the meat helping to imbue it with flavour throughout. Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking - this will help the chicken brown correctly and not steam. Let the chicken cool before cutting to make it tender and juicy, and lightly toast the wrap to give it a crunchy outside.

Serving Suggestions

Crispy Chicken Shawarma can be prepared in a myriad of delicious ways. Wrapping it in warm pita bread, fresh vegetables and garlic sauce is the traditional choice. It's also a delicious addition to grilled vegetables and hummus over cooked rice. Shawarma is often served with crispy, fried French fries, roasted potatoes, coleslaw, fresh salad or creamy yogurt dip. The rich flavors pair well with fresh lemonade, mint yogurt, iced tea or soft drinks for drinks.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover Crispy Chicken Shawarma can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in a skillet, the oven or an air fryer to keep it crispy; do not heat it in the microwave. Cooked chicken may be frozen for up to two months if you want to prepare food ahead of time. Just thaw it out overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.

Health Benefits

Homemade Crispy Chicken Shawarma is chock full of lean protein, which aids in building and repairing muscles and satisfies for longer. The yogurt marinade softens and gives a slight tangy taste and the fresh vegetables are a good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Making the meal at home gives you more control over the ingredients used, which makes it a healthier version of a lot of fast foods, but with a better taste.

Conclusion

Crispy Chicken Shawarma is a delicious, hearty and simple recipe that adds a true flavor of Middle Eastern cuisine to your dishes. This recipe is a family favorite for its perfectly seasoned chicken, crispy golden edges, fresh vegetables and creamy garlic sauce sandwiched between warm pita bread. From lunch to dinner, meal prep, or when you want a very special meal, homemade Crispy Chicken Shawarma is so flavorful, easy to make, and always makes a restaurant-worthy meal. Give this recipe a try today and savor a healthier, tastier, and cheaper shawarma than you'd get from takeout!

Ingredients You'll Need

For authentic Crispy Chicken Shawarma, you need 500 grams of boneless chicken thighs or chicken breast, ½ cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 4 cloves of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, ½ teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon oregano. You can also add a bit of cinnamon or allspice for a more traditional taste. For the shawarma wraps, make soft pita bread or tortillas, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, sliced onions and pickles, and creamy garlic sauce or tahini sauce.

Step by Step Crispy Chicken Shawarma

Begin by making the marinade. Mix together the plain yogurt, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, turmeric, black pepper, chilli powder, oregano and salt in a large mixing bowl. Combine all ingredients until blended, fragrant mixture. Place the chicken pieces into a bowl and brush the marinade onto the chicken. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight for the most flavorful and tender chicken.

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Once you're ready to cook, heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat; lightly coat with olive oil. Add the marinated chicken to the pan, but not overcrowding. Cook until chicken is deep golden brown and has crispy edges, about 6 to 8 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Use a food thermometer to check and be sure the food is thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F). After that place the chicken on a cutting board and allow it to rest for 5 minutes then cut into thin strips. The chicken will have more juicy flavor retained and will not get dry when resting.  

Warm the pita bread or tortilla for a few seconds to soften before making the shawarma wrap. Spread an abundant amount of garlic sauce or tahini on the bread. Freshen up the lettuce, sliced tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and pickles. Roll tightly into a bread wrap, add sliced crispy chicken on top (if using) and finish with extra garlic sauce. To give the shawarma a crispy texture, lightly toast in a hot pan for 1-2 minutes on each side before serving.

This homemade Shawarma is Better, For WHY?

There are some benefits to making Crispy Chicken Shawarma at home rather than ordering take out. Find fresh, high quality ingredients, less oil and no need of unwanted preservatives. The homemade marinade adds to the taste of chicken, but doesn't overpower it. The recipe can be adjusted according to your family's taste by including additional spices, vegetables or sauces. It can easily be cooked ahead of time, making it a great option for meal prepping and hectic weekdays.

Here are some tips on how to prepare the best chicken shawarma ever:

Chicken thighs give juicier results than chicken breast, as there is slightly more fat in the thighs. For chicken breast, don't overcook it so it won't be dry. Marinating the chicken overnight will help the spices to soak in to the meat helping to imbue it with flavour throughout. Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking - this will help the chicken brown correctly and not steam. Let the chicken cool before cutting to make it tender and juicy, and lightly toast the wrap to give it a crunchy outside.

Serving Suggestions

Crispy Chicken Shawarma can be prepared in a myriad of delicious ways. Wrapping it in warm pita bread, fresh vegetables and garlic sauce is the traditional choice. It's also a delicious addition to grilled vegetables and hummus over cooked rice. Shawarma is often served with crispy, fried French fries, roasted potatoes, coleslaw, fresh salad or creamy yogurt dip. The rich flavors pair well with fresh lemonade, mint yogurt, iced tea or soft drinks for drinks.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover Crispy Chicken Shawarma can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in a skillet, the oven or an air fryer to keep it crispy; do not heat it in the microwave. Cooked chicken may be frozen for up to two months if you want to prepare food ahead of time. Just thaw it out overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.

Health Benefits

Homemade Crispy Chicken Shawarma is chock full of lean protein, which aids in building and repairing muscles and satisfies for longer. The yogurt marinade softens and gives a slight tangy taste and the fresh vegetables are a good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Making the meal at home gives you more control over the ingredients used, which makes it a healthier version of a lot of fast foods, but with a better taste.

Conclusion

Crispy Chicken Shawarma is a delicious, hearty and simple recipe that adds a true flavor of Middle Eastern cuisine to your dishes. This recipe is a family favorite for its perfectly seasoned chicken, crispy golden edges, fresh vegetables and creamy garlic sauce sandwiched between warm pita bread. From lunch to dinner, meal prep, or when you want a very special meal, homemade Crispy Chicken Shawarma is so flavorful, easy to make, and always makes a restaurant-worthy meal. Give this recipe a try today and savor a healthier, tastier, and cheaper shawarma than you'd get from takeout!

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