Ingredients for Chicken Shawarma

You’ll likely have most of these spices in your pantry already, but here’s everything you need to create the perfect Chicken Shawarma:

Chicken: Boneless, skinless thighs are ideal for their juiciness, but chicken breast or tenderloin works great too.
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed is best!
Olive Oil: Adds flavor and helps to balance the lemon juice, preventing it from “cooking” the chicken.
Spices: These include cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, and cardamom. Cardamom adds a unique piney, citrusy flavor that’s essential for that authentic Shawarma taste.
Cayenne Pepper: Controls the spiciness. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce or omit this spice.

Traditionally, Shawarma is served with either a tahini sauce or a lemon yogurt sauce. For a quick and easy lemon yogurt sauce, you’ll need:

Marinate the Chicken: For the best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight. However, if you’re short on time, a minimum of 3 hours will still yield delicious results.
- Mix all the marinade ingredients directly in a ziplock bag for convenience. Add the chicken, seal the bag, and massage to coat the chicken evenly. Refrigerate for 12-24 hours.
Prepare the Yogurt Sauce: Simply mix the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge.
Cook the Chicken: You can either cook the chicken on the stove or grill it on the BBQ. The spices will create a beautiful crust and an intoxicating aroma.
- After cooking, let the chicken rest for at least 3 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. This ensures every bite is juicy and flavorful.
Serve: Arrange everything on a platter and let everyone create their own wraps. Serve with lettuce, tomato slices, onion, yogurt sauce, and warm flatbreads. You can slice the chicken if the pieces are large, or leave them whole if they are smaller.

There are two main ways to enjoy your Chicken Shawarma:

Wraps: Serve the chicken in flatbreads or pita wraps with tomato, lettuce, red onion, and yogurt sauce. Feel free to add extras like hummus, cheese, or hot sauce.
Shawarma Plate: Serve the chicken alongside rice and salads. Add pita bread and a big dollop of either hummus or yogurt sauce. A perfect accompaniment is Mejadra, a Middle Eastern lentil rice that’s so good you might eat it by itself, and a Middle Eastern chickpea salad.

Enjoy your Chicken Shawarma with family and friends, and savor the rich, exotic flavors of the Middle East in every bite!