Chicken Shawarma with Yogurt Marinade Recipe
This Chicken Shawarma with Yogurt Marinade features tender, flavorful chicken thighs marinated overnight in a blend of aromatic spices and Greek yogurt, then oven-baked to juicy perfection. It’s an authentic, easy-to-make dish perfect for serving with pita, rice, or salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Gluten Free, Halal
Ingredients
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Chicken Shawarma Ingredients
- 5–6 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 large onion ((thinly sliced))
- 1 cup plain unsweetened Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lemon ((juiced))
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Avocado oil or coconut oil ((for greasing pan))
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine all the spices, lemon juice, olive oil, sliced onion, and Greek yogurt.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken thighs and mix well, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, for maximum flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly oil a vertical skewer pan (or a roasting rack in a baking dish).
- Skewer the chicken: Stack the marinated chicken thighs onto the skewer, pressing them down tightly.
- Bake the chicken: Bake for 30 minutes, checking for browning on top. If needed, cover with aluminum foil to prevent burning. Check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer. If the chicken hasn’t reached 165°F, continue cooking for another 20 minutes, checking periodically.
- Rest baked chicken: Once fully cooked, remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice thinly and serve with pita, rice, or salad.
Notes
- For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F.
- If browning too quickly, cover the chicken with aluminum foil during baking.