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Chicken Shawarma

A delicious and easy recipe for Chicken Shawarma made in a slow cooker, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Marinade
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil Adds richness.
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced Enhances flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin Key spice for aroma.
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika Adds complexity.
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric Gives vibrant color.
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Secret handshake of flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon salt Sea salt for fancy, regular for everyday.
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Juice of 1 lemon Provides zing.
For the Main Dish
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs Chicken thighs stay juicy.
  • 1 large red onion, sliced Can substitute with yellow onion.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice until well combined.
  2. Add chicken thighs to the marinade and turn to coat. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes, preferably overnight.
  3. Place sliced onions at the bottom of the slow cooker.
  4. Layer marinated chicken thighs on top of the onions.
Cooking
  1. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
  2. Once chicken is cooked through and tender, shred or slice it in the slow cooker to soak up juices.
Serving
  1. Serve warm with pita bread, fresh veggies, and sauces like tzatziki, if desired.

Notes

If you have leftovers, they can be used in wraps with lettuce, tomatoes, and sauce. Keep an eye on the garlic to avoid burning.