Chicken Shawarma is a classic Middle Eastern Food. It prepared by stacking slices of chicken pieces between skewers in a special rotisserie. The cooked chicken is shaved and then stuffed in Pita bread, along with Onion, Tzatziki Sauce, and other herbs.
Chicken Shawarma is one of my favorite street food. Lately, it gained popularity in India as well. Since then I am hooked to its taste. I am a great fan of shawarma. I will order a shawarma platter rather than a roll. So this platter has the stuffing separately. Along with 2 Pita bread and some pickled vegetables. Happily, my shawarma cravings are satisfied
Recently my kids also started liking shawarma and since then I'm making my homemade version. The only thing is we cannot grill the chicken as in the stores with a rotisserie. We bake the chicken and the taste matches. I am totally satisfied with my homemade Chicken Shawarma.
Chicken Shawarma Recipe
No introduction is needed for this yummy street food. Over the years Shawarma gained popularity in every part of the world. It has juicy chicken pieces along with onion and a few pickled vegetables wrapped inside a Pita bread or kuboos. It is actually a lovely sight to see them slice the chicken from the vertical rotisserie.
Chicken Shawarma Rotisserie
The rotisserie they use for shawarma is a vertical one. Chicken is stacked in layers between them. The rotisserie keeps spinning. The chicken gets grilled and will cook on its own fat until tender and juicy. As and when needed using a knife they scrape the chicken prepare the fillings and then stuff in the Pita bread.
Chicken shawarma Spices
The spices that go into marinating the chicken are unique and flavorful. We have a wide variety of spices. Ok, so this is the secret ingredient and the spices are different from the regular.
Chilli Powder or Paprika Powder - Chilli powder or paprika powder has the soul and the base. It adds so much flavor. The paprika powder has a mildly sweet taste and a deep red color. Chili powder is hot and gives a fiery punch. So select any one as per your taste buds. If preparing for kids, I suggest paprika powder.
Coriander Powder - Coriander balances the taste and gives an earthy flavor.
Cardamom powder - Cardamom powder gives an excellent aroma and flavor to the chicken. It has almost a menthol like flavor.
Cumin Powder - It has a warm earthy citrus aroma that is mildly sweet and bitter.
Clove Powder - Clove has a subtle sweet flavor with a slight bitterness that balances the taste and gives warmth.
Cinnamon Powder - It has a woody flavor
Other spices - Other than the above goes the basic ginger garlic paste, Turmeric powder a dash of pepper powder, and Salt. These are basic. so these 10 spices form my secret Chicken Shawarma marinade.
Chicken shawarma seasoning
The Shawarma seasoning is the heart of the dish. You can marinate the chicken and refrigerate them overnight. The next day you can grill and keep the chicken ready until. It comes handly while assembling the shawarma.
Chicken shawarma sauce
The popular and the middle eastern Tzatziki sauce is usually spread on the pita bread while stuffing the chicken. Other than that you may also try Tahini or Hummus. You may also try mayonnaise if you do not have access to any of the above.
Chicken shawarma platter
Serving the shawarma in a platter is getting popular these days. The platter has cooked Chicken, Lettuce, Onion, Pickled Vegetables. along with this, they serve Tzatziki sauce, Mayonnaise. Pita bread comes separately they do not stuff the chicken. You can dine in like a roti.
FAQ on Chicken Shawarma
So this is the best part about shawarma, we can do everything in advance. We can assemble and serve them together. Cook the chicken ahead of time 1 or 2 days before and then reheat before serving. You can also prepare the Pita bread and Tzatziki sauce before. While serving warm the Pita bread and then spread with sauce stuff chicken and other vegetables. Wrap and serve.
You can stuff inside the Pita pockets or you may wrap around with a Pita bread and serve. Spread a generous layer of Tzatziki sauce. Add chicken lettuce, Onion, Tomato Cucumber, and warp, and serve.
These days instead of Pita bread many variations have come. You may use Tortillas or even paratha as the base.
How to Prepare Chicken Shawarma
Prep the Chicken
1. In a mixing bowl add in all the spice powders for Shawarma.
2. To this add in the chicken strips. Slice the Chicken breast pieces like thin strips and add.
3. Combine everything add in Lemon Juice and let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours to overnight. (It tastes good the longer you marinate)
4. In a baking tray arrange the marinated chicken . Preheat the oven at 200 Deg C for 10 min and then bake at 200 Deg C for 30 mins. Brush little oil and bake the chicken. Flip the chicken once in between while you bake.
5. The chicken is now baked perfectly . Set it aside. You can also cook the chicken in a skillet in stove top or use an air fryer and cook. Cling wrap the chicken in a bowl and set aside till use.
Other Ingredient for the Shawarma
- Arrange your Tzatziki Sauce , Pita bread.
- Next prep the vegetables. Slice the onions, slice the Tomato and Cucumber. Also Chop the Cilantro or Lettuce.
Assemble the Chicken Shawarma
1. Take a Pita bread and spread some Tzatziki Sauce over it.
2.Next add in some Onion slices, Tomato Slices , Cucumber slices and Chopped Cilantro.
3. Finally add in the cooked chicken Strips.
4. Fold the Pita bread and wrap it with a foil or tissue for the shawarma to stay firm. Tasty Chicken Shawarma is now ready to serve.
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Chicken Shawarma
Standard 1 cup measures 240 ml
Ingredients
For Chicken Marinade
- ½ kg Chicken Breast pieces
- 1 tbsp Red Chilli powder or Paprika Powder
- ½ tbsp Coriander powder
- ¼ tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Cumin Powder
- ¼ tsp Cardamom powder
- ¼ tsp Cinnamon powder
- ¼ tsp Clove Powder
- 1 tbsp Ginger garlic paste
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 2 tbsp Oil for brushing the chicken
Other Ingredients
- 8 Pita Bread
- ½ cup Tzatziki Sauce
- 2 Onion Sliced
- 2 Tomato Sliced
- 1 cup Cucumber Sliced
- ¼ cup Cilantro Finley chopped
- Lettuce as needed
Instructions
Prep the Chicken
- 1.In a mixing bowl add in all the spice powders for Shawarma.
- 2.To this add in the chicken strips. Slice the Chicken breast pieces like thin strips and add.
- Combine everything and let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours to overnight. (It tastes good the longer you marinate)
- In a baking tray arrange the marinated chicken . Preheat the oven at 200 Deg C for 10 min and then bake at 20 Deg C for 30 mins. Brush little oil and bake the chicken. Flip the chicken once in between while you bake.
- The chicken is now baked perfectly . Set it aside. You can also cook the chicken in a skillet in stove top or use an air fryer and cook. Cling wrap the chicken in a bowl and set aside till use.
Other Ingredient for the Shawarma
- Arrange your Tzatziki Sauce , Pita bread.
- Next prep the vegetables. Slice the onions, slice the Tomato and Cucumber. Also Chop the Cilantro.
Assemble the Chicken Shawarma
- Take a Pita bread and spread some Tzatziki Sauce over it.
- 2.Next add in some Onion slices, Tomato Slices , Cucumber slices and Chopped Cilantro.
- Finally add in the cooked chicken Strips.
- Fold the Pita bread and wrap it with a foil or tissue for the shawarma to stay firm. Tasty Chicken Shawarma is now ready to serve.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist, the nutrition value provided here is an estimate. It will vary based on the quantity and brands of the products used.
frank
the flavor of the chicken was incredible, will defiantly be making again
Chrissie Baker
My mouth is watering just looking at the picture. I can hardly wait to try it. Thanks for the recipe
Julie
Love all the spices used in this chicken shawarma. It’s like a flavor explosion in your mouth.
Petro
Love this recipe! Sounds super delicious and easy to make!
Tara
I can see why this is one of your favorite street foods! This chicken shawarma looks so good. Love all those spices.