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Close up of chicken shawarma chicken with grill marks.

Chicken Shawarma Marinade Recipe

This easy Chicken Shawarma Marinade Recipe uses Greek yogurt, lemon, and warm spices to create juicy, deeply seasoned chicken in as little as 30 minutes. It’s a simple, reliable marinade that delivers bold shawarma flavor without special equipment.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings (1.5 to 2 pounds of chicken)
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 402
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lb chicken thighs boneless and skinless
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • 2 garlic cloves minced or ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp oregano
  • ¼ tsp turmeric
  • ¼ tsp smoked paprika

Method
 

  1. Place the chicken thighs in a large ziplock bag or a medium sized mixing bowl. On top, add the marinade ingredients: Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, minced garlic, salt, oregano, turmeric, and smoked paprika. Mix well.
  2. For best results, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. But even 30 minutes will give the chicken lots of flavor! If you need to, you can marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours.
  3. When ready to cook, heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken thighs for 5–6 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C).
  4. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with rice, pita, or salad, and your favorite sauces like garlic yogurt, tzatziki or tahini.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 402kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 29gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 167mgSodium: 427mgPotassium: 381mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 139IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 1mg

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs when possible. I think chicken shawarma just goes better with chicken thighs, personally! They’re more forgiving and stay juicy even with high-heat cooking.
  • Don’t over-marinate! While up to 24 hours is fine, the yogurt can start to affect texture beyond that!
  • For crispy edges like restaurant style chicken shawarma, you should slice the chicken after searing in a pan or on the grill. Place on a sheet pan and spread the slices out evenly, then broil for just a few minutes! I don’t recommend doing this if you used chicken breasts.

How to Make Chicken Shawarma in the Air Fryer

Place marinated chicken thighs in the air fryer at 400F, cook for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for another 8 to 9 minutes until cooked through!

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