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A rotating spit of seasoned chicken shawarma being cooked to perfection.

Classic Chicken Shawarma

This classic chicken shawarma recipe features thinly sliced chicken thighs marinated in a flavorful blend of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and aromatic spices, then cooked to perfection. Serve it in warm pita bread with your favorite toppings for a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, thinly sliced
Marinade
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for cooking
  • 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1.5 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to preference
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
For Serving
  • Pita bread
  • Sliced tomatoes
  • cucumbers
  • red onion
  • lettuce
  • pickles
  • tahini sauce
  • hummus

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Large skillet or cast-iron pan

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Slice the chicken thighs against the grain into 1/4-inch thick strips.
  2. In a large bowl, combine Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt.
  3. Add the sliced chicken to the marinade mixture, ensuring all pieces are fully coated.
  4. Cover and refrigerate the chicken for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight, to allow flavors to develop.
Cooking
  1. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer, cooking in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding a pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned, cooked through, and slightly charred.
  3. While the remaining chicken cooks, warm your pita bread in a dry skillet, oven, or microwave until soft and pliable.
Assembly
  1. If desired, slice the cooked chicken into smaller pieces.
  2. Fill warm pita bread with chicken and your preferred toppings such as tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and a generous drizzle of tahini sauce or a dollop of hummus.

Notes

For an even deeper flavor, let the chicken marinate overnight. You can also prepare the toppings in advance to make assembly quicker.