WATCH HOW TO MAKE Grilled Chicken Shawarma!
Chicken Shawarma Spices:
Toasting the whole seeds gives the marinade better, more intense flavor, but using ground spices is quicker and easier and works well too! See the recipe card for full details.
- cumin
- coriander
- garlic cloves
- kosher salt
- cayenne pepper
- turmeric
- ground ginger
- black pepper
- allspice
Place the chicken shawarma on a hot grill, either whole or threaded onto skewers.
Once they get a nice char, either turn the heat down and cover, to cook through, or place into a 350 F oven until chicken is cooked through.
What to Serve with Chicken Shawarma:
Pick any of the following!
- Israeli Salad or Tabouli Salad
- Tzatziki
- Baba Ganoush
- Hummus
- Homemade Pita Bread
- Grilled Za’atar Zucchini
- Basmati Rice (Middle Eastern version)
Grilled Chicken Shawarma Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 6
- Category: Chicken, Grilled
- Method: grilled
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A simple delicious recipe for chicken shawarma that can be grilled or baked – full of Middle Eastern flavor. Serve with homemade pita bread and tzatziki or over Israeli Salad.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs to 2 ¼ lb chicken thighs (boneless and skinless, or skin on- see notes)
Shawarma Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons ground coriander
- 8 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoon allspice
Instructions
- Place all marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix, or pulse in a food processor to make a paste.
- Rub chicken on all sides with the marinade and let sit 20 minutes (or up to 24-48 hours refrigerated). You can also cut chicken into 1-inch cubes and make skewers.
- Grill chicken on a pre-heated Grill, on medium-high heat, closing the lid to the BBQ, until all sides have nice grill marks, about 8 minutes each side. Move to a cooler part of the grill or finish cooking chicken in a 350 F oven until cooked all the way through, about 10 minutes. (Alternatively, you can bake the chicken thighs in a 375 F oven for 30-40 minutes)
- Enjoy the chicken shawarma over Israeli salad, or with rice and veggies, or with pita bread and tzatziki
Notes
Feel free to use chicken breasts, understanding grilling time will shorten. I prefer thighs because they are pretty hard to overcook/dry out.
If using skewers: Make sure to soak wood skewers in water, at least 30 minutes so they don’t burn. Marinate the cubes of chicken in a bowl for at least 20 minutes, before skewering.
Keywords: chicken shawarma, grilled chicken shawarma, chicken shawarma recipe, chicken shawarma calories, chicken shawarma calories, chicken shawarma marinade, grilled chicken shawarma
This recipe is a keeper! I have made it MANY times. I always double the recipe to be sure to have leftovers. We love it for lunches or just as a yummy snack in the upcoming few days!
★★★★★
Made this for dinner and it was a HUGE hit! The only thing I will change for next time is less coriander and cumin. I also made the israeli salad, pickled onions and zhoug. Wrapped it all in a tortilla with hummus (didn’t have tahini) and WOW, DELICIOUS! Your recipes are by far my favorite for the the whole family!! Thank you so much for sharing these!
★★★★★
Love it Cathi! Thanks for share!
This recipe is absolutely fantabulous. I made it along with the Israeli Salad – (perfect), tzadiki (perfect) and Basmati rice – the combination was sublime. Every recipe of yours I have tried has been absolutely amazing – thank you for sharing.
★★★★★
thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed them!
I made this today with the grilles zaatar zucchini and labenah. Everything was delicious!
★★★★★
Awesome Jeannine! Great to hear!
Sylvia, this is a good recipe. The whole family loved it and I love when I can say that.
We had it with Lebanese bread, lettuce, grated carrot, sliced tomatoes and radishes, tabbouleh and garlic sauce. I only made 500g but next time I will make more for planned leftovers. Soooo wonderful, thank you.
★★★★★
Awesome Claire! So glad you enjoyed! 🙌
Great recipe. Served it with Israeli salad.My family and I loved it.!Thank you.
★★★★★
Awesome, thanks Cheryl!
Usually I make shwarma as a kebob on sticks. This was new and so easy and delicious with the Israeli salad.
Thanks, glad you liked it!
So flavourful and delicious! We cooked the chicken entirely on the BBQ and it turned out wonderful! We served it with your Isreali salad and it was the perfect summer supper!
★★★★★
So glad you liked this!
This chicken was fantastic! Definitely keeping this recipe.
★★★★★
Glad you liked it!
Excellent and authentic
★★★★★
Quite wonderful!!
★★★★★
Absolutely delicious! And so easy. I’ve made many versions of this dish and this was the family favorite.
★★★★★
Thanks so much Deborah!
I must sound like a broken record when I comment on Sylvia’s recipes….quick, flavorful, delicious! Another family favorite! A tad salty, will cut back a bit next time.
★★★★★
thanks Theresa~
Delicious!! Made it in the oven instead of the grill. Convection roasted at 425 for about 30 minutes. MAde the Israeli Salad to go with it. Fed a crowd and everyone loved it. A keeper for sure!
★★★★★
We have made this recipe (no changes necessary) countless times and LOVE it!
★★★★★
Awww, thanks Paige, appreciate the comment! xoxo
SO, SO good!! Really flavorful and great with the Israeli salad recipe and naan! 🙂
★★★★★
Awesome Virginia- thanks! xo
Favorite chicken shawarma I’ve found. Super easy and delicious. Great with tzatziki, quinoa, tomato, spinach, and cucumber as a Mediterranean bowl. I sear both sides of the chicken in my cast iron pan for a few minutes oh high and then turn to med-low to cook through. Absolutely delicious and will be making again and again.
★★★★★
Made this for my gf and I with your Turkish Tomato salad (which included ground sumac) and it was a BIG hit!
★★★★★
This was so good. Made it in the oven with sliced onions, mushrooms and green peppers
★★★★★
Great to hear! Thanks!
Love this recipe! Have made it with chicken thighs a lot but wondering if you have any tips on making it with salmon fillets??
★★★★★
Best chicken ever!!!! My family begs to make
★★★★★
Was very happy with this. Now I don’t have to go to my halal spot anymore
★★★★★