Arabic Chicken Shawarma

Savor the irresistible flavors of homemade Arabic Chicken Shawarma, a classic Middle Eastern street food dish bursting with authentic spices and vibrant toppings. Tender chicken thighs are marinated in a fragrant blend of yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, and warm spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cinnamon, then grilled to perfection for a smoky, charred finish. Wrapped in soft, toasted pita bread, this shawarma is layered with fresh cucumber, ripe tomatoes, red onion, and parsley, all brought together with a drizzle of creamy tahini sauce. Ready in under an hour (excluding marination), this recipe is perfect for recreating a traditional shawarma experience at home. Serve it as a hearty lunch, dinner, or a crowd-pleasing addition to a Middle Eastern-inspired menu!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Chicken thighs
• 120 ml Plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 4 units Garlic cloves
• 2 teaspoons Ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons Ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Ground turmeric
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 4 units Pita bread
• 1 unit Cucumber
• 1 unit Tomato
• 0.5 unit Red onion
• 20 grams Parsley
• 60 ml Tahini sauce

Directions

Step 1

Begin by preparing the marinade for the chicken. In a large mixing bowl, combine the plain yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, and minced garlic.

Step 2

Add the ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Mix well until you have a smooth marinade.

Step 3

Place the chicken thighs in the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.

Step 4

Preheat your grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken thighs.

Step 5

Cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and nicely charred. Internal temperature should reach 75°C (165°F).

Step 6

Remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing it thinly.

Step 7

Warm the pita breads on a dry skillet or in the oven for a few moments until soft and pliable.

Step 8

Slice the cucumber and tomato into thin pieces, and thinly slice the red onion. Chop the parsley finely.

Step 9

To assemble the shawarma, lay down a pita bread, add a layer of sliced chicken, and top with slices of cucumber, tomato, onion, and fresh parsley.

Step 10

Drizzle tahini sauce over the fillings, then wrap the pita around the ingredients, securing it with a piece of parchment paper if needed.

Step 11

Repeat the assembly process for the remaining pita breads.

Step 12

Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Arabic chicken shawarma!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1537.3 grams (1537.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2486

Total Fat 122.10g	157%
Saturated Fat 26.90g	135%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.70g
Cholesterol 478mg	159%
Sodium 5059mg	220%
Total Carbohydrate 188.50g	69%
Dietary Fiber 26.30g	94%
Total Sugars 35.00g
Protein 171.70g	343%

Vitamin D 95IU	473%
Calcium 675mg	52%
Iron 24mg	134%
Potassium 3270mg	70%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.3%

Protein: 27.0%

Carbs: 29.7%