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Crispy Chicken Shawarma Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 88 reviews

This Crispy Chicken Shawarma recipe features tender strips of marinated chicken thighs, cooked to golden perfection and wrapped in warm flatbread with garlic sauce, pickles, fries, and a flavorful spicy sauce. The shawarma is toasted to create a crispy, caramelized exterior, delivering authentic Middle Eastern street food flavors perfect for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Marinade

  • 2 pounds boneless & skinless chicken thighs, cut into thin strips
  • 1/4 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon sumac
  • 1 teaspoon coriander
  • 1 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamom

Garlic Sauce

  • 1/3 cup garlic cloves
  • 1 cup neutral oil (such as vegetable or canola oil)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise

Spicy Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon pomegranate molasses
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Pinch of salt

For Assembly

  • Large flour tortillas or Arab flatbread
  • Pickles, cut into long strips
  • French fries, cooked
  • Pomegranate molasses, for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine yogurt, olive oil, tomato paste, hot sauce, lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, salt, sumac, coriander, allspice, black pepper, and cardamom. Mix until smooth. Add sliced chicken thighs and toss to coat thoroughly. For best flavor, marinate in the refrigerator up to 24 hours, or cook immediately if pressed for time.
  2. Make the Garlic Sauce: Place garlic cloves and salt into a food processor and pulse until finely minced and pasty. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in half the neutral oil in a thin stream to begin emulsification. Add half the lemon juice and continue processing. Drizzle in remaining oil gradually and then the remaining lemon juice, continuing to process for about 8 to 10 minutes until sauce is thick and creamy. Add sour cream and mayonnaise; process again until smooth. Taste and adjust salt. Refrigerate until use.
  3. Make the Spicy Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, melted butter, hot sauce, tomato paste, pomegranate molasses, paprika, and a pinch of salt until smooth and well combined.
  4. Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of oil. Arrange the marinated chicken strips in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes until deep golden sear forms. Stir and continue cooking for another 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally to achieve charred edges on all sides. Cook until chicken is fully cooked and caramelized.
  5. Assembly: Warm tortillas or Arab flatbread. Spread a generous layer of garlic sauce on the bread. Add crispy chicken, a handful of cooked fries, and pickle strips. Drizzle lightly with pomegranate molasses, then wrap tightly into a shawarma.
  6. Toast the Shawarma: Brush the outside of each wrapped shawarma with the spicy sauce. Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium heat and lightly coat with oil, butter, or ghee. Place the shawarma seam-side down and toast for 2 to 3 minutes per side until the outside is golden and crispy.

Notes

  • Marinating the chicken overnight enhances flavor and tenderness but is optional.
  • Neutral oil such as vegetable or canola works best for garlic sauce emulsification.
  • Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier and more flavorful shawarma.
  • Adjust hot sauce quantity in marinades and spicy sauce to suit your heat preference.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute flatbread with gluten-free wraps.
  • Garlic sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Chicken Shawarma, Crispy Chicken Shawarma, Middle Eastern Chicken Wrap, Shawarma Recipe, Garlic Sauce, Spicy Sauce

Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/crispy-chicken-shawarma-recipe/