Go Back
Cooked pieces of chicken shawarma and wedges of red onion on a rimmed baking sheet.
Print Recipe
5 / 8 votes

Chicken Shawarma

Serve this incredibly flavorful chicken shawarma with your favorite sides and toppings for an easy weeknight meal everyone will love. Plus, nothing beats a sheet pan dinner, am I right?
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Chilling time2 hours
Total Time3 hours 5 minutes
Course: Mains
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Calories: 531

Ingredients

For the chicken shawarma

  • 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, (from 2 lemons)
  • 1/2 cup olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • pinch ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons hot paprika, or more to taste
  • crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 large red onion, peeled and cut into 6 wedges
  • 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley, (optional)

For serving (optional)

  • Pita or naan bread
  • Greek salad
  • Chopped cucumbers and tomatoes
  • Hummus
  • Yogurt and cucumber dip
  • Kalamata olives
  • Feta cheese
  • Roasted eggplant
  • Cooked rice
  • Couscous
  • Your favorite hot sauce

Instructions

Make the chicken shawarma

  • In a large bowl, combine the 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, 6 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric, pinch ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons hot paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes, and whisk to combine.
  • Add the 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs to the bowl and toss well to coat. Cover and store in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours.
  • When you’re ready to cook, heat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Slick a rimmed baking sheet with 1 tablespoon oil.
  • Add the 1 large red onion wedges to the chicken and marinade and toss to combine.
  • Place the chicken and onions in a single layer on the baking sheet, letting any excess marinade drip back into the bowl. Discard the marinade.
  • Roast until the chicken is evenly browned, crisp at the edges, and cooked through, 30 to 40 minutes.
  • Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.
  • Cut the chicken into 1/2- to 1-inch (1- to 2.5-cm) pieces.

    ☞ TESTER TIP: Like things extra crispy? In a skillet over medium-high heat, warm 1 tablespoon of oil. Toss in the roasted chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is extra crispy at the edges.

Serve the chicken shawarma

  • Arrange the chicken in a large bowl or on a platter. Scatter the 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley over the top, if using.
  • If desired, arrange small bowls of extras alongside the chicken and let everyone customize the chicken shawarma to their liking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 531kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 851mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g