Description
Chicken shawarma comes together effortlessly when marinated spices coat tender meat, creating a flavor explosion that brings Middle Eastern street food straight to your kitchen table. Roasting the chicken in a loaf pan ensures juicy, perfectly seasoned results that make dinner feel like a delicious adventure.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
Supporting Ingredients:
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Pita bread
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F and grab a loaf pan for your chicken shawarma adventure.
- Combine 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon each of cumin, paprika, turmeric, and coriander, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon cayenne, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice in a mixing bowl.
- Drop 2 pounds of chicken thighs into the spice mixture, massaging every inch until each piece glistens with marinade.
- Transfer the coated chicken into the loaf pan, arranging pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Slide the pan into the preheated oven and roast for exactly 45 minutes, checking that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove the pan and let your shawarma rest for 10 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and flavors to settle.
- Slice the chicken into tender strips and nestle them inside warm pita bread, ready to enjoy your perfectly seasoned creation.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours or overnight to develop deeper, richer flavors that really soak into the meat.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165F internally, which guarantees safe and perfectly juicy results.
- For a low-carb version, skip the pita and serve over a crisp salad or wrapped in lettuce leaves for a lighter meal.
- Save the pan drippings and drizzle them over the sliced chicken for extra moisture and intense flavor when serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: One-Skillet
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 267 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 575 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.6 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg