Description
Succulent chicken shawarma brings Middle Eastern street flavors straight to home kitchens. Marinated spices and tender meat create an authentic dining experience you can savor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lb (680 g) chicken thighs or breasts, skinless and boneless, sliced into 0.5-inch thick strips
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil, divided
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsps ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
- 6 small pita bread
- 2 cups (80 g) romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- 2 Persian or mini cucumbers, diced
- 0.25 cup (15 g) fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 cup (240 ml) plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional)
- 0.5 tsp minced garlic
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Marination: Combine olive oil and aromatic spices in a sealed container, thoroughly coating chicken strips. Refrigerate to allow deep flavor infusion for maximum taste penetration.
- Roasting Preparation: Preheat oven to 425°F. Spread marinated chicken on a lined baking sheet, ensuring even spacing for uniform golden-brown transformation. Roast until chicken reaches perfect crispy exterior and tender interior.
- Vegetable Preparation: Meticulously chop romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley into uniform, vibrant pieces that will create a fresh, crisp foundation for the shawarma.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk Greek yogurt with lemon juice, minced garlic, and delicate seasonings until achieving a silky, smooth garlic sauce that will elevate the dish’s flavor profile.
- Assembly: Gently warm pita bread to enhance pliability. Layer each pita with crisp lettuce, arrange golden roasted chicken strips, and distribute colorful vegetable medley across the surface.
- Finishing Touch: Drizzle creamy garlic yogurt sauce generously over the filled pitas. Carefully fold or roll to create a compact, flavor-packed shawarma that captures traditional culinary essence.
Notes
- Marinade Magic: Create a flavor-packed marinade by mixing spices with olive oil, ensuring chicken absorbs deep, rich tastes for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Precise Oven Technique: Preheat oven to exactly 425°F (218°C) for perfect golden-brown chicken with crispy edges, using a lined baking sheet for easy cleanup and even cooking.
- Sauce Smooth Secrets: Whisk yogurt sauce ingredients thoroughly until completely blended, allowing flavors to meld for 15 minutes before serving to enhance taste complexity.
- Assembly Pro Tips: Warm pita bread slightly before filling to prevent tearing, and layer ingredients strategically from bottom to top for the ultimate shawarma experience.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg