Description
Spiced Grilled Chicken Shawarma brings Middle Eastern street flavor straight to home kitchens with bold marinades and charred perfection. Fragrant spices blend seamlessly, creating a delectable meal that invites hungry diners to savor each tender, juicy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 lbs (907 grams) boneless skinless chicken thighs
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons fine salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 4 teaspoons ground cumin
- 4 teaspoons ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Liquid and Aromatics:
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Combine all marinade ingredients with chicken thighs inside a large sealed ziplock bag, ensuring thorough coating of the meat.
- Refrigerate the marinated chicken for a minimum of 1 hour and up to 8 hours, allowing flavors to deeply penetrate the meat (overnight marination yields maximum taste intensity).
- When ready to cook, prepare your cooking surface by preheating the grill to medium-high heat (approximately 375-400°F or 190-204°C).
- Extract chicken thighs from marinade, gently patting them dry with paper towels to promote better caramelization and prevent excessive moisture.
- For grilling, place chicken thighs directly on the hot grates, cooking approximately 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Alternative cooking methods include stovetop preparation using a cast iron skillet over medium heat, cooking each side for 5-6 minutes until perfectly done.
- Oven-baking option requires preheating to 400°F (204°C), placing marinated chicken on a parchment-lined sheet pan, and roasting for 25-30 minutes until thoroughly cooked and slightly crispy on edges.
- After cooking, allow chicken to rest for 5-7 minutes, enabling juices to redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness before serving.
Notes
- Marinate chicken thighs in a ziplock bag to enhance deep, complex flavor profiles within the meat.
- Refrigerate chicken for maximum flavor absorption, preferably overnight to allow spices to penetrate thoroughly.
- Cooking methods vary depending on your kitchen equipment: grill, stovetop skillet, or oven all work perfectly.
- Grill chicken at medium-high heat, ensuring each side cooks evenly for approximately 3-4 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken is safely cooked through without becoming dry or tough.
- Parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier when baking chicken in the oven.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 329 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 512 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg