Chicken shawarma- Incredibly flavorful chicken marinated in aromatic yogurt marinate that is bursting with Middle Eastern Flavors. Paired with Chapati.
I first tasted shawarma on a trip to Berlin. I remember being struck by how something could taste so delicious and heavenly that I would completely blow away my diet regiment for especially after working so hard to get in shape. But, I cared less. I spent the following week eating shawarma for lunch or dinner, unfailingly – No regrets. It is that good!
On a recent trip to my hometown Yaoundé (Cameroon,) Africa. I quickly discovered that Sharwarma had become an African thing – beloved especially in countries like Nigeria – Shawarma stands are cropping up everywhere and was delighted to give it a try again after more than ten years since my last bite. It was good, however, nothing compares to your first experience.
This is my take on Sharwarma with an African twist. Traditionally Scharwama is made with a combination of stacked protein Beef (lamb, cow and poultry-turkey, chicken flavored with tons of exotic spices. It is cooked on a vertical spit for hours until is tender and ready to be served. It is thinly sliced and placed on warm unleavened bread with tahini or garlic sauce sometimes topped with lettuce and/or vegetables.
Wow, just describing this dish makes me hungry
Here , I used chicken . You can use chicken or beef or feel free to use both.
I added a little bit of thyme, a touch of cayenne pepper(omit if not a fan of spicy food . For the flat bread I used this East African Chaptati Recipe featured here. Replace with pita or any unleavened bread.
Enjoy!
Chicken Sharwama
Ingredients
- 2 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2-3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon nut meg
- 1 teaspoons coriander
- 1 teaspoons all spice
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ dried teaspoon thyme
- Pinch of cayenne
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup yogurt
- 1 teaspoon bouillon powder (replace with ¾ teaspoon salt)
- Mayonnaise Spicy Sauce
- Vegetables (lettuce, tomatoes Cucumber)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup pepper sauce (recipe here)
Instructions
- Spicy Mayonnaise Sauce
- Combine pepper sauce and mayonnaise (this may be done the day before and refrigerated
- Prepare a marinade for the chicken In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, lemon juice, paprika, white pepper, coriander, allspice, bouillon, nutmeg, thyme cayenne pepper and yogurt.
- Lightly salt chicken , then coat with marinade. Place in a zip lock bag or enclosed storage and Marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
- Preheat a grill pan on medium high heat. Remove chicken from marinade. Grill chicken for about 8-10 minutes on each side or until fully cooked through. Chop chicken into thin bite size pieces
- Serve chicken on flat bread or this East African Chapati.
- Top with spicy sauce and /or sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumber, lettuce or any veggies of choice.
Nutrition Information:
Valita Vernon says
What is the pepper sauce recipe?
imma africanbites says
Hi. You can check the pepper sauce here >>> https://www.africanbites.com/african-pepper-sauce/
Maria carol says
Hi. I’m Filipino. I follow this recipe and it’s my first to make shawarma. My husband said that was the good shawarma ever he tasted on his life. Thanks to your blog.
ImmaculateBites says
YAY! So happy to hear this . Appreciate you taking time out to let me know. God bless!!!
camirra williamson says
This was so good I made it an served with coleslaw!! the coriander and nutmeg make a big differnce. I also added a little lemon pepper seasoning as well. Tasty
Akilah L. says
Oh YES!
I’m sitting here eating this chicken right at this moment and had to rate it.
You’ve done it again Imma! Delicious!
ImmaculateBites says
AWESOME! Thank you so much Akilah!
Judy says
Tried this last night. Wow! This is really good! The family loved it also. Loved the pepper sauce, its a must. Thank you!
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Judy Glad it worked out well for you. Thanks for letting me know.
Denise says
Hello,
I have my chicken marinating but unsure when I use the boullion, white pepper, coriander and all spice?
Loving your recipes by the way. Have been feeding my family from it all week
ImmaculateBites says
Sorry about that! Just add it to the chicken .You add it to the marinade . Glad to hear you are enjoying the recipes. Hope this works out well for you. Thanks
John Fyn says
I’m going to try chicken shawarma for the first time. From the process of cooking chicken shawarma it looks so delicious.
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Do let me know how it works out for you .
Oladosu Faith says
Wow. Nice recipes and blog. You got a new loyal reader
ImmaculateBites says
YES! Glad to have you here .
Jackie says
The pepper sauce recipe link isn’t working. Is it the African pepper sauce?
ImmaculateBites says
Yes it is.
Sidi says
OMG! I think i will also give it a try, thanks so much
ImmaculateBites says
You are welcome! Do let me know how t works out for.
Pamela says
Would like the recipe for African chapati
ImmaculateBites says
oops! you can find it here https://www.africanbites.com/east-african-chapati/
Pamela says
Like the recipe for African chapati please the chicken looks yumm
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Pamela! Here it is
kelsey says
Was really nice. Thanks
ImmaculateBites says
Candace,That is so true. The Sharwama’s in some part of Africa have french fries in it. I tried it and it was quite tasty.However, it is an over kill for me. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Hope you are enjoying your stay in Senegal.
Candace says
Hi, I love your blog. I’m an American living in Senegal and the sharwama’s here have french fries in it and it’s really yummy.