Juicy, flavorful Chicken Shawarma made with chicken in a bright, spiced lemon marinade baked in the oven until perfectly cooked. This is such an easy chicken shawarma recipe!
Start by marinating the chicken. Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Place in a bowl or large Ziploc bag. Make the marinade by combining extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and spices. Let marinate for at least 1 hour. I suggest marinating it overnight if at all possible or for at least 4 hours.
Once the chicken is done marinating, heat the oven to 425 degrees. Drizzle olive oil on a sheet pan. Spread the chicken evenly on a sheet pan. Place red onions all over the chicken. Bake for 25 minutes.
To make the chicken even more crisp, set a large pan over high heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan, then the chicken, and sauté until everything curls tight in the heat or set the oven to broil and place the baking sheet on the top rack and broil for 2 minutes.
Remove from the oven and taste for seasonings. Serve with the options below.
Notes
Recipe adapted from New York Times Recipe for Oven Roasted Chicken Shawarma.
What to serve with Chicken Shawarma:
We love to serve this easy baked chicken shawarma with pita or naan bread, homemade tzatziki sauce, and simple Greek salad. Here are some ideas:
Serve the oven-roasted Chicken Shawarma in warm pita bread or naan bread. Wrap the chicken shawarma with pita bread and serve with white garlic sauce, tzatziki, or hummus, and Greek salad.
Fresh and Vibrant Salad: Serve with a salad made with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, feta cheese, tossed in extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt.
Creamy Hummus and Garlic Sauce: A side of hummus or garlic sauce enhances the chicken, providing a creamy and tangy contrast to the spiced chicken.
Turmeric seasoned Basmati Rice: Season rice with turmeric which adds an earthy flavor and a golden hue.
How to Grill Chicken Shawarma:
To grill the chicken shawarma, set your grill at medium heat. Allow it to preheat before placing the chicken on the grill. To keep the chicken from sticking, brush a bit of oil on the grill.Cook for about 5 - 6 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken breast or thighs. The chicken needs to reach 165 degrees to ensure that it is completely cooked through. I suggest using a food thermometer to ensure the perfectly cooked and juiciest chicken shawarma.