Easy Oven-Baked Chicken Shawarma Recipe

This Chicken Shawarma recipe is always listed among my signature recipes that I would like to introduce to my friends, alongside its Western counterpart Chicken Parmesan. Since the first time it came to my life, on a business trip to Kuwait, this aromatic dish has never ceased to exit my mind ever.

But then, it was not until recent days that I digged out my very own chicken shawarma recipe to cater my taste.

What Is Chicken Shawarma?

Chicken Shawarma consists of shaved meat such as beef, lamb, chicken, turkey or veal – served with flatbread and an assortment of vegetables.  The secret for its authentication should be how the meat is cooked. Various layers of meat are skewered on a spit and slowly roasted liberally on both sides.

Having been long known as one of the most favourite street foods in Middle East, Chicken Shawarma is actually an Arabian fast food which was originated in Turkey. The dish then gradually became one of the world’s most popular street foods, especially in the countries of the Levant and the Arabian Peninsula. Nowadays, Chicken Shawarma has been a staple part of citizens in the Middle East, like The Philippines and Singapore.

What Is The Difference between Gyro and Shawarma?

At the first glance, gyro and shawarma seem to be very alike. The chicken is both shaved from a large turning meat cone, which is a brilliant way to help keep the very unique meat juice’s flavor.

However, gyro is simply made from lamb or beef topped with tomato, onion and tzatziki or hot sauce, served on a thin pita. Shawarma, on the other hand, is topped diversely with a whole range from tahini, tabouli, fattoush, to cucumber and even hummus.

Is Chicken Shawarma Good For You?

We all know how chicken itself is beneficial for weight-loss, so – yes.

As science proofed, chicken shawarma offers 15g of fat, and 400 calories – which takes up only 24% of an ideal adult’s daily intake of calories. Totally not so alarming at all.

What should be served with Chicken shawarma?

As a true Middle East-styled dish, Chicken shawarma is often served in pita breads with pickles, maybe wrapped with heaps of veggies and sauce. Similar to meat shawarma, chicken shawarma can also be served with zesty drizzles of tzatziki sauce.

How to make Chicken Shawarma

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Chicken Shawarma Recipe

Prep 20 mins

Cook 25 mins

Total 45 mins

Author luna

Yield 2 servings

Though the pictures should have said tons about Chicken Shawarma, I must still make an affirmation myself that this dish just has me, from head to toe, nothing more. No matter if I’m demanding an effortless brunch or a wholesome and nutritious noon snack in hot summer days - it can be anything.

Join me to regret just none.

Ingredients

For the Shawarma spice:

•       1/4 tbsp ground cumin
•       1/4 tbsp turmeric powder
•       1/4 tbsp ground coriander
•       1/4 tbsp garlic powder
•       1/4 tbsp paprika
•       1/6 tsp ground cloves

For the chicken baking:

•       6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, sliced into small pieces
•       1/9 cup extra virgin olive oil
•       1/6 tsp cayenne pepper
•       1 large onion, thinly sliced
•       1 large lemon juice
•       Salt to taste

Serve:

• Tortilla, pasta or steamed rice.
• Veggies (mine used cress)
• Olive oil

How to Make

Preparation

• Mix all the ingredients for the spice mix in a small bowl and set aside.
• Put the chicken meat in a large bowl, season with the Shawarma spices, onions, lemon juice, olive oil and salt. Toss them all together to make sure the chicken pieces are evenly coated. Cover with a cling film and store overnight in the fridge (or at least 3 hours).

Instructions

1. Remove the marinated chicken from the fridge, let it reach to room temperature.
2. Spread the marinated chicken and the onions on the baking tray. Make sure all the chicken pieces are lying flat and not on top of each other. Put to bake in 25 minutes at 425 degress F.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce to your preferences. I myself used a simple Greek Tzatziki sauce to enhance the chicken's flavor.
4. I enjoyed my chicken shawarma in tortillas with a few stems of cress, and finally some drizzles of tzatziki sauce and olive oil. Be creative all you want.

Notes

• It is sure much more tasty if the chicken is marinated and let sit for 1 day beforehand in the fridge. Simply defrost it on the next day before cooking.
• The chicken can also be frozen in its marination – as long as the meat has not been previously frozen – for up to 3 months.

Cuisine Middle East, Levant

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 cup

Amount Per Serving
Calories 215
% Daily Value
Total Fat 6.5 g		10%
	Saturated Fat 1.4 g	7%
Cholesterol 126 mg		42%
Sodium 216 mg		9%
Total Carbohydrates 9.3 g		3%
	Dietary Fiber 2.4 g	10%
	Sugars 3.6 g
Protein 30.6 g		61%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.