Homemade Spicy Shawarma Recipe
This homemade shawarma packs a punch of aromatic spices and a smoky, crispy finish. Tender chicken thighs marinated in a bold blend of turmeric, cumin, and cayenne mingle with tangy lemon and tomato paste for a flavor-packed bite. Perfect for a quick dinner that feels like a street‑food adventure.
Recipe by thegoldenbalance· Structured by ReelsMeals
From: TikTok(view original)
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Prep Time
Cook Time
Servings
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 1/5 lb chicken thighs
- 1 cup baby dill pickles
- 4 pita bread
- garlic sauce, to taste
Spice Rub
- turmeric, to taste
- garlic powder, to taste
- cumin, to taste
- paprika, to taste
- allspice, to taste
- coriander, to taste
- onion powder, to taste
- cardamom, to taste
- clove, to taste
- cayenne pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp MSG
- salt, to taste
- sugar, to taste
Instructions
- 1In a bowl, combine all the spices (turmeric, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, allspice, coriander, onion powder, cardamom, clove, cayenne pepper, MSG, salt, and sugar) to make the shawarma spice rub.
- 2Add olive oil, lemon juice, white vinegar, and tomato paste to the spice rub and whisk until a smooth paste forms.
- 3Place the sliced chicken thighs in a large container and pour the spice paste over them, ensuring every piece is evenly coated.
- 4Cover and refrigerate the marinated chicken overnight or for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate.
- 5Heat a cast‑iron skillet over high heat until it is extremely hot. Add a small amount of olive oil to the pan.
- 6Cook the marinated chicken pieces in batches, avoiding overcrowding, until they develop a crispy crust and are cooked through (about 4–5 minutes per side).
- 7While the chicken is cooking, warm the pita bread in a separate pan or microwave for a few seconds.
- 8Assemble each shawarma by placing a few cooked chicken pieces on a pita, topping with sliced pickles, a generous amount of garlic sauce, and any additional desired toppings.
- 9Wrap the assembled shawarma in parchment paper and aluminum foil, then toast it briefly on a grill or in a hot skillet to seal the wrap and add a subtle smoky flavor.
- 10Serve immediately, optionally with extra garlic sauce on top.
Helpful tips while cooking
AI-assisted notes grounded in this recipe's ingredients, timings, and method—not additional creator instructions.
Marinate Ahead
Cover the chicken with the spice paste and refrigerate overnight or at least 2 hours before cooking.
Avoid Overcrowding the Pan
Cook the chicken pieces in batches on the extremely hot skillet to develop a crispy crust.
Warm the Pita Briefly
Heat pita bread in a separate pan or microwave for a few seconds before assembling the shawarma.
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Cooking context
50 min estimated total time for 4 servings.
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Frequently asked questions
- How long does it take to make Homemade Spicy Shawarma?
- About 50 minutes in total: 30 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking.
- How many servings does this Homemade Spicy Shawarma recipe make?
- This recipe makes 4 servings as written; ingredient quantities on this page can be scaled.
- Where does this Homemade Spicy Shawarma recipe come from?
- It was shared by thegoldenbalance on tiktok.com. ReelsMeals structured the original post into this step-by-step card; the original is linked above.