Chicken Shawarma

Servings4
CuisineMiddle Eastern

Ingredients

  • 800 gboneless chicken thighs, cut into thin strips
  • 120 mlplain yogurt
  • 60 mlolive oil
  • 4 clovesgarlic, minced
  • 1lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
  • 10 mlground cumin
  • 10 mlpaprika
  • 5 mlground turmeric
  • 5 mlground coriander
  • 3 mlcinnamon
  • 3 mlcayenne pepper (optional)
  • 0salt and black pepper (to taste)
  • 0pita bread or flatbreads
  • 0tahini sauce (tahini, lemon juice, garlic, water)
  • 0chopped tomatoes
  • 0sliced cucumbers
  • 0pickled turnips
  • 0fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Combine all marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Add chicken strips and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.

  2. Heat a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken in batches (don't overcrowd). Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until charred and cooked through (internal temp 75°C).

  3. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice into smaller pieces if desired.

  4. Warm pita bread, add chicken, drizzle with tahini sauce, and top with fresh vegetables and pickles.

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Essential

Helpful

Beverage pairings

Wine

Margaret River Riesling

Off-dry white

$20–$35

Balances the warm spices and heat with subtle sweetness; acidity complements tahini richness

Barossa Grenache

Light-bodied red

$18–$32

Earthy tannins and spice notes echo cumin and cinnamon; medium body won't overpower chicken

Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc

Crisp white

$16–$28

Herbal and herbaceous; refreshing acidity cuts through tahini and complements fresh herbs

Beer

Stone & Wood Pacific Ale

Pale ale

Citrus and pine notes complement spices; balanced bitterness pairs well with charred chicken

Coopers Pale Ale

English-style pale ale

Malty sweetness balances heat and spice; approachable and food-friendly

Non-alcoholic

Mint and lemon iced tea

Refreshing and cooling; complements warm spices and aids digestion

Pomegranate and rose cordial (diluted)

Tart and aromatic; echoes Middle Eastern flavor profile and pickled accompaniments

Plain sparkling water with lime

Clean palate cleanser; allows flavors to shine without competing

Ingredients

  • 800gboneless chicken thighs, cut into thin strips
  • 120mlplain yogurt
  • 60mlolive oil
  • 4clovesgarlic, minced
  • 1lemon juice(from 1 lemon)
  • 10mlground cumin
  • 10mlpaprika
  • 5mlground turmeric
  • 5mlground coriander
  • 3mlcinnamon
  • 3mlcayenne pepper(optional)
  • salt and black pepper(to taste)
  • pita bread or flatbreads
  • tahini sauce(tahini, lemon juice, garlic, water)
  • chopped tomatoes
  • sliced cucumbers
  • pickled turnips
  • fresh parsley