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Homemade Chicken Shawarma with Tzatziki and Fresh Vegetables Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 104 reviews

This Chicken Shawarma recipe offers a flavorful Middle Eastern classic, featuring marinated juicy chicken thighs with a vibrant blend of spices. The chicken is perfectly cooked either on a grill or in an air fryer, served with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce, pita bread, and fresh vegetables. Ideal for a delicious and satisfying meal packed with aromatic spices and fresh ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Marinade

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons paprika (smoked or sweet)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 medium lemon (zest and juice)
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, patted dry

Cooking Oil

  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil (for grilling or air frying)

Tzatziki Sauce

  • 1 ½ cups Greek yogurt (whole, low-fat, or non-fat)
  • 1 cup English or Persian cucumber, grated
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
  • 1 tablespoon dill, minced
  • 1 tablespoon mint, minced
  • 1 medium lemon (zest and juice)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

To Serve

  • Pita bread
  • Hummus (your choice of flavor)
  • Cucumbers, chopped into ¼ inch cubes
  • Cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Fresh red onion, thinly sliced or pickled red onion

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, combine the minced garlic, paprika, ground cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest, and olive oil. Stir well to create a fragrant marinade.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the marinade and coat them thoroughly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, creating a seal over the chicken. Let it marinate at room temperature for 1-2 hours or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor.
  3. Make the Tzatziki Sauce: While the chicken marinates, mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, ground cumin, minced garlic, dill, mint, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Adjust seasoning as needed, then cover and refrigerate until serving.
  4. Grill Preparation (if grilling): Remove the chicken from the fridge at least 30 minutes before cooking to come to room temperature. Preheat a grill or grill pan to high heat. Brush with neutral oil to prevent sticking.
  5. Grill the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken on the hot grill or grill pan. Cook without moving for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through. Rest the chicken covered with foil for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
  6. Grill the Pita Bread (Optional): Lightly grill the pita bread on each side for 15-30 seconds to add a slight char and warm it through.
  7. Air Fryer Method (Alternative Cooking): Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes. Arrange the marinated chicken in a single layer inside the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is golden brown.
  8. Assemble the Shawarma: Serve the sliced chicken in warmed pita bread with a generous spread of hummus, tzatziki sauce, chopped cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced or pickled red onion for a fresh, vibrant wrap.

Notes

  • Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness significantly.
  • If you prefer a spicier shawarma, increase the cayenne pepper slightly or add crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Grilling the pita adds an authentic smoky flavor but you can warm it in a pan or oven if preferred.
  • Use Greek yogurt with the fat content you prefer—whole, low-fat, or non-fat—all work well for the tzatziki.
  • Make sure to rest the chicken after cooking to retain its juices and tenderness.
  • Slice the chicken thinly for easier wrapping and eating in pita bread.

Keywords: Chicken Shawarma, Middle Eastern chicken, grilled chicken shawarma, tzatziki sauce, pita wraps, air fryer chicken shawarma

Find it online: https://stirringwithstella.com/homemade-chicken-shawarma-with-tzatziki-and-fresh-vegetables-recipe/