Chicken Shawarma (Middle Eastern)

Updated at: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 10:02:33 GMT

Step 1

Marinade chicken – Combine the marinade ingredients in a large ziplock bag. Add the chicken, seal, the massage from the outside with your hands to make sure each piece is coated. Marinate 24 hours (minimum 3 hours).

Step 2

Yogurt Sauce – Combine the Yogurt Sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix. Cover and put in the fridge until required (it will last for 3 days in the fridge).

Step 3

Preheat stove or BBQ – Heat a large non-stick skillet with 1 tablespoon over medium high heat, or lightly brush a BBQ hotplate/grills with oil and heat to medium high. (See notes for baking)

Step 4

Cook chicken – Place chicken in the skillet or on the grill and cook the first side for 4 to 5 minutes until nicely charred. Turn and cook the other side for 3 to 4 minutes (the 2nd side takes less time).

Step 5

Rest – Remove chicken from the grill and cover loosely with foil. Set aside to rest for 5 minutes.

Step 6

MAKE AHEAD: Pop the marinade and chicken in a ziplock bag and freeze straight away. Then as it defrosts, it will marinate!

Step 7

This also works well made ahead, which I recently did when I made this for 50 people as part of a multi-course meal. I grilled it in the morning and cut it up. Then prior to serving it was just heated up in the microwave. Toss it with the juices pooled at the bottom of the dish and no one will guess it was cooked earlier in the day!

Step 8

2. Chicken per serving – If using large lebanese bread as pictured (diameter is almost 30cm/1 foot), you need around 300g/10oz of chicken per person (raw) to fully fill them out without tucking the ends in. 200 – 250g/7 – 8oz per person seems to be enough on average, but I always end up providing more!

Step 9

3. Chicken – I use 6 pieces approx 5oz/150g each.

Step 10

Chicken breast: I feel strongly that this is best made with thigh because it’s got more fat so you get beautiful caramelisation. But it’s still super tasty made with chicken breast. The best way is to cut them in half horizontally to make 2 thin steaks no thicker than 1 cm/ 2/5″ each. If needed, pound lightly. Marinate per recipe. Then cook on a high heat (not medium high per recipe) for just 2 minutes on each side until golden. They will be juicy and beautiful inside!

Step 11

4. Suggestions for things to make on the side:* Mejadra (pictured in post) – Middle Eastern lentil rice* Chickpea Rice Pilaf– slightly less spiced than Mejadra* Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad (a Yotam Ottolenghi recipe, skip the spicing of chickpeas to keep it fresher)

Step 12

Also see 7 Course Arabian Feast (summary below recipe) and above recipe card in post for lengthier list of side options.

Step 13

5. BAKING: Cooking on a BBQ or stove is best to get the caramelisation. Baking doesn’t yield quite the same flavour – but still very good! Bake at 425F/220C for 20 – 25 minutes until a browned.

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