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Grilled Chicken Shawarma (Easy Middle Eastern Dish)

June 2, 2017 by Edyta 24 Comments

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Edyta
Author at Eating European
Recipe developer, photographer and the writer behind the Eating European food blog of European and Mediterranean healthy and delicious recipes
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Latest posts by Edyta (see all)
  • Borscht (Barszcz Czerwony) – Authentic Polish Recipe - December 19, 2022
  • Authentic Polish Pierogi with Potatoes and Cheese (Pierogi Ruskie) - December 8, 2022
  • Mushroom Pierogi “Uszka” for Borscht - December 3, 2022

Grilled Chicken Shawarma is an amazing dish of Middle Eastern flavors that comes together super quick, smells divine and disappears from plates in seconds. Try this chicken recipe, full of fragrant spices, for your next BBQ and you’ll surely “wow” all your guests.

Grilled Chicken Shawarma on a cutting board with grilled lemons

Grilled Chicken Shawarma – The Best Way to Eat Grilled Chicken

Grilled Chicken Shawarma is my new favorite way of eating grilled chicken. It’s usually made with boneless skinless chicken thighs so that it can be easily cut into strips and used in pitas, wraps or salads.

For this recipe, I used skinless chicken thighs on the bone. I really think that bone-in meat makes all the difference in how juicy the meat comes out, and it’s very easy to grill.

Grilled Chicken Shawarma on a cutting board with grilled lemons, olives and yogurt sauce on a side

Nevertheless, you can still strip the meat off the bone if you want to use it for wraps or pitas – that’s how my husband and my aunt ate it the last time I made it.

Personally, I ate it straight from the bone, smothered with my absolute favorite summer sauce….Traditional Greek Tzatziki. You can also serve it alongside this Summer Panzanella Salad with Garlic Butter Bread or Greek Panzanella Salad with Garlic Lemon Dressing, and just like that, your dinner will be ready.

If you follow this blog you may know that I love bread based salads, as they can serve as both veggie and starch simultaneously.

Other serving options would be Lebanese Mujadara, Greek Spinach Rice or Parsley Potatoes.

Grilled chicken shawarma with grilled lemons

Making Grilled Chicken Shawarma is Not Intimidating

If you’ve never made grilled chicken shawarma before it may intimidate you at the outset. However, the marinade is very simple and uses spices that most already have in their home. Yet, one spice that may not be present in your pantry is Cardamon – but I suggest buying it, as you’ll definitely want to make this grilled chicken shawarma recipe more than once in the summer.

The secret to achieving the most flavorful, juicy grilled chicken shawarma possible is to marinate it for a day before cooking, thus letting the flavors marry for 12+ hrs ahead of time.

The next day, simply throw the chicken on the grill and grill on both sides (until cooked through and the internal temperature shows 165 degrees F). Caution: the smell of the grill will be so amazing that you may be tempted to lick the metal grates; this is ill-advised.

Grilled Chicken Shawarma on a board with lemons

How to Make Marinade for Chicken Shawarma

So what spices will you need to make this flavorful, juicy grilled chicken shawarma? Here’s a quick list:

  • Cumin;
  • Coriander;
  • Cardamon;
  • Smoked paprika;
  • Cayenne pepper;
  • Salt & pepper.

For the marinade you’ll also need:

  • Garlic;
  • Lemon juice;
  • Extra virgin olive oil.

Once you’ve combined all the marinade ingredients and added chicken to it, your job is basically done.

The next day the grill will do all the work. Yet, you’ll still need to watch it a little bit….but that’s all! :). I encourage you to demo this amazing Grilled Chicken Shawarma recipe, my friends.

Oh… and if you are up for a challenge, you can make a homemade pita bread to accompany it. If you decide to go this route, then this recipe for Traditional Greek Pita Bread from Half Baked Harvest will surely be handy.

Grilled Chicken Shawarma with lemons on a board

Other Popular Chicken Recipes:

  • Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs 
  • Olive Oil Chicken Mediterranean Style
  • Oven Roasted Chicken Legs
  • Honey Harrisa Chicken Skewers
  • Slow Cooker Whole Roasted Chicken
  • Chicken Saffron Rice
  • Tuscan Chicken with Potatoes
  • Mustard Chicken with Clementines
  • Chicken Chasseur (French Hunter’s Chicken)

 

 

Grilled Chicken Shawarma is an amazing dish of Middle Eastern flavors that comes together super quick, smells divine and disappears from plates in seconds. Try this chicken recipe, full of fragrant spices, for your next BBQ and you'll surely "wow" all your guests.

Grilled Chicken Shawarma

Grilled Chicken Shawarma is an amazing dish of Middle Eastern flavors that comes together super quick, smells divine and disappears from plates in seconds. Try this chicken recipe, full of fragrant spices, for your next BBQ and you'll surely "wow" all your guests.
4.75 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 382kcal
Author: Edyta

Ingredients

  • 8 Chicken thigh Skinless, on a bone

Marinade

  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 1 tbsp Cumin
  • 1 tbsp Coriander
  • 1 tbsp Cardamon
  • 2 teaspoon Smoked paprika Sweet
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoon Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 Lemon Juiced (or 2 tablespoon of lemon juice)
  • 3 tablespoon Olive Oil Extra virgin

Instructions

  • Add all the marinade ingredients into a bowl and mix together;
  • Place chicken tights in the large ziplock bag, pour over the marinade and massage the chicken so all the pieces get covered in the marinade;
  • Close the ziplock and place it in a fridge overnight, for at least 12 hours and as long as 24 hours;
  • Heat the grill on medium high. You can oil the grill or use the cooking spray;
  • Place the chicken on the grill and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side. You can flip it a few times during cooking. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165F.
  • Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes. Serve it with a side salad, pita bread, and tzatziki sauce. 

Notes

I also grilled few lemons cut in half and sprinkle the meat with the lemon juice, but this step is optional. I simply like how lemon elevates all the flavors. And the grilled lemon not only is juicer but also has a little smoky flavor. 

Nutrition

Calories: 382kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 214mg | Sodium: 1369mg | Potassium: 660mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 695IU | Vitamin C: 17.3mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 3.4mg
Tried this recipe?Show me @eatingeuropean or tag #eatingeuropean!

If you make this recipe please let me know if it’s a keeper for you! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram. Don’t forget to use hashtag #eatingeuropean.

Read about the author Edyta here or follow Eating European on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

 

 

 

 

Related posts:

Greek Chicken with Tomatoes, Cauliflower and Feta
Pork Chops in White Wine Cream Sauce w/ Mushrooms & Bacon
Buffalo Chicken Grilled Pizza
Truffled Butternut Squash and Mushroom Soup

Filed Under: Dinner, Gluten Free, Meat and chicken, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

Previous Post: « Traditional Greek Tzatziki Recipe
Next Post: Broccoli Au Gratin (In The Best Cheese Sauce) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary // Chattavore

    June 7, 2017 at 9:46 am

    Those chicken thighs look AMAZING. I love chicken shawarma, and all those spices just sound so delicious. Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Edyta

      June 7, 2017 at 9:59 am

      Thanks Mary!

      Reply
  2. [email protected]

    June 7, 2017 at 10:19 am

    The flavor of this chicken is taking to me through the screen. This is a delicious dish.

    Reply
    • Edyta

      June 7, 2017 at 10:28 am

      Thanks Janette!

      Reply
  3. Mindy Fewless

    June 7, 2017 at 10:30 am

    5 stars
    I’ve always wanted to try this! your recipe looks amazing!!

    Reply
    • Edyta

      June 7, 2017 at 10:33 am

      Thanks Mindy!

      Reply
  4. Lindsey @ Lito Supply Co.

    June 7, 2017 at 10:56 am

    This just made me SO hungry! I can’t wait to break out the grill and this recipe for summer!

    Reply
    • Edyta

      June 7, 2017 at 11:09 am

      Thanks Lindsey.

      Reply
  5. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy

    June 7, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    5 stars
    Love the flavours going on here. Perfect for entertaining….and looks totally delicious.

    Reply
    • Edyta

      June 7, 2017 at 12:36 pm

      Thanks Gloria

      Reply
  6. Bethy

    July 22, 2017 at 10:41 am

    4 stars
    I have it marinating now. I forgot to do it earlier so will only end up with 8 or 9 hours marinating time. I hope that will be ok!
    We are accompanying this with Saag Paneer and Baingan Bharta! *crossing fingers for a delightful meal*

    Reply
    • Edyta

      July 22, 2017 at 11:28 am

      Awesome Bethy! It sounds fantastic.

      Reply
      • Bethy

        July 22, 2017 at 10:01 pm

        5 stars
        The sides are done and the chicken is going on the grill in a few minutes…I’ll let you know how it turns out!

        Reply
        • Edyta

          July 23, 2017 at 11:07 am

          I hope you liked it 🙂

          Reply
          • Bethy

            July 25, 2017 at 9:30 pm

            I did! Super yum! The husband said its “gotta be the most tender chicken” he’s ever had. Huge compliment from him, woo hoo! Leftovers were good too.
            The third meal we had from it I pulled the meat off the bones and heated in a skillet and made tacos. Super good! Thanks for the share!

          • Edyta

            July 26, 2017 at 11:11 am

            Thank you Bethy! I’m so happy it came out good for you!

      • RobinBallard

        May 6, 2019 at 9:15 pm

        Starting to marinad this tonight for tomorrow night!! Hope it’s good since the cardamom was a bit pricey!

        Reply
  7. Hadia

    March 23, 2018 at 5:48 pm

    Absolutely tasty Edyta! Love your blog! Join our pinterest board if you like! https://www.pinterest.com/hadiascuisine/yummy-and-more/

    Reply
    • Edyta

      March 23, 2018 at 5:52 pm

      Thank you Hadia

      Reply
  8. Phil Warner

    January 7, 2020 at 3:02 pm

    5 stars
    Never heard of this before seeing your recipe, cooked tonight under the grill and it was wolfed down with a salad, 5 star recipe thanks.Phil UK

    Reply
  9. Laurence

    April 30, 2020 at 6:34 am

    Hi edyta, going to do this recipe soon.
    Just wondered is the 1 tablespoon of cardamom, ground cardamom, the ground whole pod ground or just the seeds or 1 tablespoon of whole cardamom pods in the marinade.
    Maybe I’m just being dumb! Definitely looking forward to doing this recipe.
    Thanking you. Laurence

    Reply
    • Edyta

      May 17, 2020 at 11:19 am

      All ground spices to cover the meat.

      Reply
  10. Richard

    May 31, 2021 at 4:57 pm

    Did them today for a barbecue with the neighbours and everyone loved them! Crispy on the outside, sooo juicy on the inside and the flavours were amazing. Thank you for a delicious and easy recipe.

    Reply
  11. Linda Howard

    April 9, 2022 at 5:06 pm

    Definite keeper!!! So flavorful! Whenever I eat shawarma anywhere else now I always think, ” I like mine better.” Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Edyta. I’m a recipe developer, photographer, and writer behind the Eating European food blog of European and Mediterranean healthy and delicious recipes. I consider myself a home chef with a cultivated passion for amazing food.
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Hi, I'm Edyta. I’m a recipe developer, photographer, and writer behind the Eating European food blog of European and Mediterranean healthy and delicious recipes. I consider myself a home chef with a cultivated passion for amazing food.
I’m also a reformed New York State attorney, who practiced for several years only to thereafter decide that this was my real passion. Maybe one day I decided to step back to the courtroom, but in the meantime I’m enjoying spending my time with my kids, my husband, my kitchen and YOU! Read More…

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