Chicken Shawarma
AI-generated image
Levantine

Chicken Shawarma

Tender chicken thighs simmered in a warmly spiced yogurt marinade until fragrant and juicy, then briefly seared for charred edges. Serve with lemon, herbs, and flatbread for a weeknight Levantine classic.

55 min 4 servings Medium
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How to prepare

1
Whisk the yogurt, lemon juice, 15 ml of the olive oil, grated garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, cardamom, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and black pepper in a bowl until smooth and evenly colored.
2
Add the chicken and turn to coat every piece. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes, or up to 24 hours for a fuller flavor.
3
Heat the remaining olive oil in a wide, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken in one layer, scraping in the marinade, and cook for 3 minutes until the underside begins to brown.
4
Reduce the heat to medium-low, add 120 ml of water and the remaining salt, and bring the liquid to a gentle simmer. Cover and simmer for 18 to 22 minutes, turning once, until the thickest pieces reach 74°C.
5
Remove the lid and raise the heat to medium-high. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning the chicken occasionally, until most of the sauce clings to the meat and the edges are deeply browned.
Chicken shawarma with deeply browned edges in a skillet AI-generated image
6
Transfer the chicken to a board and rest for 5 minutes. Slice across the grain into bite-sized pieces, then serve hot in the warmed flatbread with your chosen toppings.
Sliced chicken shawarma served with warm flatbread and fresh toppings AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

Yogurt tenderizes the chicken while garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, and cardamom create shawarma's characteristic warm aroma. A covered simmer keeps the meat moist, and a final uncovered sear supplies the browned edges associated with spit-roasted shawarma.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Refrigerate cooled chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Store flatbread and fresh toppings separately.

How to reheat it

Reheat gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat with 1 tablespoon of water until steaming hot throughout, or microwave in short intervals until the center reaches 74°C.

Nutrition / serving

643kcal
59.97 gprotein
39.21 gcarbs
26.79 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 20 Aug 2026 · updated 21 Aug 2026