Juicy Shawarma Chicken in the Oven or Grill Recipe
This Juicy Shawarma Chicken recipe offers a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish made with tender boneless chicken thighs marinated in a blend of yogurt, spices, and lemon juice, then cooked to perfection in the oven or on the grill. The result is a juicy, aromatic chicken that’s perfect for serving with pita bread, fresh veggies, and your favorite sauces.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes (including marinating time, minimum 1 hour)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground coriander, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and freshly squeezed lemon juice until well combined to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the bowl and toss thoroughly to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, though marinating overnight will enhance the flavor and tenderness significantly.
- Preheat cooking appliance: Whether using an oven or a grill, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) or your grill to medium-high heat to get it ready for cooking the chicken.
- Cook the chicken: Arrange the marinated chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper if using the oven, or directly place them on the grill grates if grilling. Cook for 30-35 minutes total, flipping the chicken halfway through to achieve a nice char and even cooking. The chicken should be cooked through and reach a safe internal temperature.
- Rest and serve: Remove the cooked chicken from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Then slice the chicken thinly. Serve warm with pita bread, fresh vegetables, and your favorite sauces such as garlic sauce or tahini for an authentic shawarma experience.
Notes
- Marinating overnight intensifies the flavors and produces juicier chicken.
- The recipe can be cooked either in the oven or on the grill depending on your preference.
- Using chicken thighs ensures the meat stays tender and moist during cooking.
- Feel free to add extra spices like cayenne or sumac for additional flavor complexity.
- This chicken is great served in wraps, salads, or as a main dish alongside rice.
Keywords: Shawarma chicken, oven-baked chicken, grilled shawarma, Middle Eastern chicken, yogurt marinated chicken, spicy chicken thighs
