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Easy Chicken Shawarma
Print Recipe

Easy Chicken Shawarma

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds chicken thighs boneless, skinless or breasts if you must
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon paprika smoked if you have it
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Pita or flatbreads for serving
  • Optional toppings: chopped cucumber tomatoes, red onion, tzatziki or garlic yogurt sauce, fresh parsley

Instructions

  • Mix the marinade: In a bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Stir until it smells amazing.
  • Prep the chicken: Cut into bite-sized pieces or thin strips. Coat with the marinade. Let it rest if you can—10 minutes is nice, but 0 minutes works in a pinch.
  • Cook it up: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and any marinade left in the bowl. Cook 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and nicely browned.
  • Warm the bread: While the chicken cooks, warm the pita or flatbreads in another pan or in the oven until soft and a touch blistered.
  • Assemble: Slice or shred the chicken. Pile onto warm bread, then add toppings like cucumber, tomatoes, onion, and a dollop of tzatziki or garlic yogurt sauce.
  • Finish and serve: Wrap it up or fold it like a pro. Serve with a lemon wedge on the side for a bright finish.