Middle Eastern · Main course · 35 min

Chicken Shawarma

Name: Chicken Shawarma
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 215 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 1 kg boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets; 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 1 tbsp ground coriander; 1 tbsp ground cumin; 2 tsp ground cardamom; 2 tsp smoked paprika; 0.5 tsp cinnamon; 0.5 tsp turmeric; 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper (1 tsp for more heat); 2 tsp salt; freshly ground black pepper; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp oil (for frying); 250 g Greek yoghurt; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 clove garlic, grated; 1 tsp sumac; 0.25 tsp salt; 1 pinch cayenne pepper; 4 flatbreads or pitta breads, warmed; 0.25 iceberg lettuce, finely shredded; 2 tomatoes, sliced; 1 red onion, in fine rings; 0.5 cucumber, sliced; pickled cucumbers

Juicy chicken thighs marinated in cumin, cardamom and cinnamon, browned and rolled in flatbread with garlic yoghurt.

As of: 11 October 2026

Preparation

Stir together all the marinade ingredients, put them in a freezer bag or bowl with the chicken and massage in all over; marinate in the fridge for at least 3 hours, or up to 24 hours.
Mix the yoghurt with the lemon juice, garlic, sumac, salt and cayenne and keep cool until serving.
Heat a large non-stick frying pan with the oil over medium-high heat, or use a lightly oiled grill.
Lay the thighs side by side and fry the first side for 4 to 5 minutes until nicely browned, then turn and fry the second side for 3 to 4 minutes.
Alternatively, brown on a rack in the oven about 15 cm below the grill for 16 to 20 minutes, until the core temperature reaches at least 74 °C.
Rest the meat for 5 minutes loosely covered with foil, then cut into thin strips.
Spread the flatbread with yoghurt sauce, add lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumber slices, pickled cucumbers if you like, and the chicken, then roll up tightly.

Drink with it

Pale lager · excellent match
Light lager or Pils, ice-cold
Carbonation and light bitterness refresh after the browned, spiced thighs and stand up to the garlic sauce.
Pils or Helles: What's the Difference?
Rosé · excellent match
Dry, full-bodied rosé
Red fruit and acidity go with the cumin, paprika and lemon without overwhelming the spices.
Which wine pairs with food? A simple approach to choosing
Sour beer · good match
Gose or Berliner Weisse
The lactic acid picks up the lemon and yoghurt, and the saltiness of the Gose goes with the robust marinade.
What is sour beer? Recognizing intentional acidity
White wine · good match
Dry Riesling
Taut acidity cuts through the fat of the thighs, and the citrus fruit echoes the lemon juice in the marinade.

With the same drinks

This pairs well too.

Middle Eastern · Main course · 35 min

Chicken Shawarma

Juicy chicken thighs marinated in cumin, cardamom and cinnamon, browned and rolled in flatbread with garlic yoghurt.

As of: 11 October 2026

Preparation

Stir together all the marinade ingredients, put them in a freezer bag or bowl with the chicken and massage in all over; marinate in the fridge for at least 3 hours, or up to 24 hours.
Mix the yoghurt with the lemon juice, garlic, sumac, salt and cayenne and keep cool until serving.
Heat a large non-stick frying pan with the oil over medium-high heat, or use a lightly oiled grill.
Lay the thighs side by side and fry the first side for 4 to 5 minutes until nicely browned, then turn and fry the second side for 3 to 4 minutes.
Alternatively, brown on a rack in the oven about 15 cm below the grill for 16 to 20 minutes, until the core temperature reaches at least 74 °C.
Rest the meat for 5 minutes loosely covered with foil, then cut into thin strips.
Spread the flatbread with yoghurt sauce, add lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumber slices, pickled cucumbers if you like, and the chicken, then roll up tightly.

Drink with it

Pale lager · excellent match
Light lager or Pils, ice-cold
Carbonation and light bitterness refresh after the browned, spiced thighs and stand up to the garlic sauce.
Pils or Helles: What's the Difference?
Rosé · excellent match
Dry, full-bodied rosé
Red fruit and acidity go with the cumin, paprika and lemon without overwhelming the spices.
Which wine pairs with food? A simple approach to choosing
Sour beer · good match
Gose or Berliner Weisse
The lactic acid picks up the lemon and yoghurt, and the saltiness of the Gose goes with the robust marinade.
What is sour beer? Recognizing intentional acidity
White wine · good match
Dry Riesling
Taut acidity cuts through the fat of the thighs, and the citrus fruit echoes the lemon juice in the marinade.

With the same drinks

Chicken Shawarma

Preparation

Drink with it

Light lager or Pils, ice-cold

Dry, full-bodied rosé

Gose or Berliner Weisse

Dry Riesling

This pairs well too.

Beer Can Chicken (Barbecued Chicken on a Beer Can)

Ćevapčići (Balkan Grilled Meat Rolls)

Alsatian Flammkuchen (tarte flambée)

Arroz con Pollo (chicken with yellow rice)

Chicken Shawarma

Preparation

Drink with it

Light lager or Pils, ice-cold

Dry, full-bodied rosé

Gose or Berliner Weisse

Dry Riesling

This pairs well too.

Beer Can Chicken (Barbecued Chicken on a Beer Can)

Ćevapčići (Balkan Grilled Meat Rolls)

Alsatian Flammkuchen (tarte flambée)

Arroz con Pollo (chicken with yellow rice)