Ingredients:

  • 3lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, or lamb, goat, beef, etc.

  • 2 tbsp tomato paste.

  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika.

  • 1 tsp turmeric.

  • 1 tbsp cumin.

  • 1/2 tbsp coriander powder.

  • 1/2 tsp cardamom.

  • 2 tsp cinnamon.

  • 1/4 tsp ground clove.

  • 1 tsp ground allspice.

  • 1/4 cup olive oil.

  • 1/2 lemon, juiced and zested.

  • kosher salt.

Equipment:

  • gas/charcoal grill/oven.

  • mixing bowl.

  • baking tray lined with a wired rack.

  • skewers.

Yield:

  • about 2-3 lbs of chicken.

Spiced, juicy, thinly sliced crispy meat served alongside flatbreads, salads, and sauces.

chicken shawarma.

Execution:

  1. marinade.

  • Season the chicken generously with salt, combine all the marinade ingredients in a mixing bowl, add the chicken and marinade for 1-8 hours.

2. cook.

grill:

  • Skewer the chicken thighs and stack them evenly.

  • Place the skewered meat onto a hot grill (charcoal or gas works).

  • Cook and continue to turn until you achieve an even color and char, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.’

oven:

  • Preheat your oven to 475°F.

  • Place the chicken on a wire rack set on top of a baking tray, leaving around 2 inches of space between each thigh.

  • Bake until the chicken is evenly browned and fully cooked through, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

3. serve:

  • Using a knife, slice the meat vertically off the skewers, or if you used an oven you may cut the chicken intro strips before serving.

  • Serve alongside tabbouleh, shirazi, rice/rice pilaf, french fries, lavash, tahini, pita bread, toum, pickled or grilled vegetables or anything else you would like.

suggested:

pita.

baklava.

tzatziki.

hummus.