Chicken Shawarma Recipe

Prepare the marinade

In a large bowl, combine Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and all the spices (cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper). Mix well until fully combined.

Marinate the chicken

Add the chicken thighs to the marinade and coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for best flavor.

Cook the chicken

Preheat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken for about 5–6 minutes on each side or until fully cooked and slightly charred. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.

Prepare the garlic base

In a food processor, blend the garlic cloves and salt until finely minced. Add egg white and lemon juice and blend until smooth.

Emulsify with oil

With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the oil in a thin stream. Continue blending until the sauce thickens into a creamy consistency. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Prepare the potatoes

Peel and cut the potatoes into thin strips. Soak in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and pat completely dry with paper towels.

Fry the potatoes

Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the potatoes in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 4–5 minutes per batch. Remove and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt while hot.

Mix the vegetables

In a bowl, combine diced tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and chopped parsley.

Dress the salad

Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Toss well to combine. Refrigerate until serving.

Cook the rice

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the rice and turmeric, stirring for 1 minute. Add water and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Warm the pita or flatbread. Serve slices of chicken shawarma over rice or in the pita with garlic sauce, pickles, fries, and salad. Optionally, drizzle more garlic sauce on top and wrap as a sandwich or serve as a platter.