Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma recipe offers a flavorful and tender Middle Eastern-inspired dish that is easy to prepare. Marinated chicken thighs slow-cooked to perfection and served over rice or in pita bread make for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
For Serving
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley for garnish
- Pita bread or rice
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and ground allspice until well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the boneless skinless chicken thighs to the marinade and coat them evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight to allow the flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Transfer the marinated chicken thighs along with the marinade into a slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken thighs from the slow cooker and shred them finely using two forks.
- Optional Broiling: For extra flavor and texture, spread the shredded chicken on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 3 to 5 minutes until the edges get slightly crispy.
- Serve: Serve the shredded chicken over cooked rice or stuffed into pita bread. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and optionally add garlic sauce, tahini, or your favorite yogurt sauce.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken overnight for the best flavor infusion.
- Broiling the shredded chicken after slow cooking adds a delicious crispy texture.
- Serve with garlic sauce, tahini, or homemade yogurt sauce for an authentic flavor experience.
- This recipe is gluten-free when served with rice or gluten-free pita bread.
