Simmering Saturdays: Chicken Shawarma
Chicken Shawarma
Just a handful of every day spices makes an incredible Chicken Shawarma marinade that infuses the chicken with exotic Middle Eastern flavors. The smell when this is cooking is insane.
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken thigh fillets, skinless and boneless
MARINADE
- 1 large garlic clove, minced (or 2 small cloves)
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp ground cardamon
- 1 tsp ground cayenne pepper (reduce to 1/2 tsp to make it not spicy)
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- Black pepper
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
YOGURT SAUCE
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1 tsp cumin
- Squeeze of lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
TO SERVE
- 4 – 5 flatbreads (Lebanese or pita bread or homemade soft flatbreads)
- Sliced lettuce
- Tomato slices
- Red onion, finely sliced
- Cheese, shredded (optional)
- Hot sauce of choice (optional)
Instructions
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Marinade chicken – Combine the marinade ingredients in a large ziplock bag. Add the chicken, seal, the massage from the outside with your hands to make sure each piece is coated. Marinate 24 hours (minimum 3 hours).
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Yogurt Sauce – Combine the Yogurt Sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix. Cover and put in the fridge until required (it will last for 3 days in the fridge).
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Preheat stove or BBQ – Heat a large non-stick skillet with 1 tablespoon over medium high heat, or lightly brush a BBQ hotplate/grills with oil and heat to medium high.
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Cook chicken – Place chicken in the skillet or on the grill and cook the first side for 4 to 5 minutes until nicely charred. Turn and cook the other side for 3 to 4 minutes (the 2nd side takes less time).
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Rest – Remove chicken from the grill and cover loosely with foil. Set aside to rest for 5 minutes.
TO SERVE
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Slice chicken and pile onto platter alongside flatbreads, Salad and the Yogurt Sauce (or dairy free Tahini sauce from this recipe).
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To make a wrap, get a piece of flatbread and smear with Yogurt Sauce. Top with a bit of lettuce and tomato and Chicken Shawarma. Roll up and enjoy!
