Grilled Chicken Shawarma
Making chicken shawarma on the grill brings this very tasty and popular Middle Eastern meal to your backyard with no fuss and no muss. It’s a super flavorful dish that brings together spice-infused grilled chicken with fresh, crisp vegetables and a cool, creamy tzatziki sauce. You’ll love it!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
I don’t have one of those vertical meat cooker things. I’d venture to say that you probably don’t either. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this amazing dish.
The dish is super easy to put together. It’s basically just a mess of herbs that marinate the chicken overnight and then grill it. The options for garnish are up to you, but some lettuce, tomato, and red onion are pretty much the standard.
It’s finished with a creamy yogurt, garlic, and tahini sauce. We opt for our tzatziki sauce instead. We love it. It basically contains the same ingredients, but we use mayonnaise and cucumber over the tahini. It’s cool and delicious!
The vibrant-tasting chicken, with its little burnt bits here and there, comes together with the fresh vegetables and the cool, creamy tzatziki sauce, all on a pita, giving you a perfect bite every time.
It’s a breeze to bring together, and the flavor is top-notch. You’re gonna love it.
Ingredients Needed
To get that flavor on the chicken, you’re gonna need a good amount of spices. Other than that, everything is easy to get your hands on. Take a look at the recipe card below for the full list of amounts and ingredients.
How To Make Grilled Chicken Shawarma
Tips
Marinate for Flavor: Don’t rush the marinating process. Letting the chicken sit in the spices overnight really enhances the flavor.
Even Cooking: Pound the chicken thighs to an even thickness for consistent cooking on the grill.
Temperature Check: Invest in a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 175 degrees Fahrenheit for safe consumption.
Variations
Vegetarian Option: Swap the chicken for grilled portobello mushrooms or tofu for a vegetarian-friendly version.
Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chili powder to control the heat level of the marinade according to your preference. You can also add some cayenne for a spicy kick.
Wrap Alternatives: Experiment with different wraps, such as naan bread or lavash, for a unique twist on presentation.
FAQs
Yes, chicken breast can be used instead of thighs. However, thighs tend to be juicier and more flavorful.
Absolutely! The marinade can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
If you don’t have access to an outdoor grill, you can use a grill pan or even bake the chicken in the oven.
Other Delicious Grilled Recipes
Grilled Chicken Shawarma Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 lb Chicken thighs pounded even
- 8 Pita bread
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Red onion
Shawarma Marinade
- 1/2 cup Yogurt
- 5 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Coriander
- 1 tbsp Chili powder
- 1 tbsp Cumin
- 1 tbsp Onion powder
- 1 tbsp Smoked paprika
- 2 tsp Dry mustard
- 2 tsp Kosher salt
- 2 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Cardamon
- 1 tbsp White vinegar
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
Sauce
- 2 cups Tzatziki Sauce Use this, or your favorite.
Instructions
- Cover chicken thighs with plastic wrap, pound to even thickness.3 lb Chicken thighs
- Combine dry spices, whisk.1 tbsp Coriander, 1 tbsp Chili powder, 1 tbsp Cumin, 1 tbsp Onion powder, 1 tbsp Smoked paprika, 2 tsp Dry mustard, 2 tsp Kosher salt, 2 tsp Black pepper, 1 tsp Cardamon
- Mix spices, marinade ingredients with chicken.1/2 cup Yogurt, 5 cloves Garlic, 1 tbsp White vinegar, 2 tbsp Lemon juice, 1/4 cup Olive oil
- Marinate overnight.
- Grill chicken over medium heat, 4 mins each side.
- Cook until internal temp reaches 175°F.
- Rest for 5 mins before slicing.
- Serve with pita, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, tzatziki sauce.8 Pita bread, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Red onion, 2 cups Tzatziki Sauce