Description
A flavorful air fryer chicken shawarma made with tender chicken thighs marinated in warm Middle Eastern spices, cooked until juicy and slightly crispy for an easy and satisfying homemade dish.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Cut the chicken thighs into medium strips or bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
- In a large bowl, mix olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, smoked paprika, and lemon juice until a fragrant marinade forms.
- Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss until all pieces are well coated with the spice mixture.
- Let the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes to develop flavor.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
- Place the marinated chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding.
- Cook for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking, until the chicken is golden and fully cooked.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and allow it to rest for a couple of minutes before serving.
Notes
- Add a few tablespoons of plain yogurt to the marinade for a creamier and tangier flavor.
- Mix in cayenne pepper or chili flakes if you prefer a spicier shawarma.
- Cook the chicken in larger strips and slice after cooking for traditional shawarma-style wraps.
- Serve in pita bread with tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and garlic sauce for a classic shawarma wrap.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warmed through.
- You can also reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Freeze cooked chicken shawarma for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
