Best Chicken Shawarma Marinade
A bold and flavorful Chicken Shawarma Marinade made with garlic, lemon, olive oil, yogurt, and warm Middle Eastern spices. This easy homemade marinade creates juicy, tender chicken that's perfect for shawarma wraps, rice bowls, salads, and meal prep. Cook it in the oven, air fryer, or on the grill for a delicious family-friendly dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 4 garlic cloves minced
Shawarma Spice Blend (see notes)
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, Greek yogurt, tomato paste, lemon juice, vinegar, and garlic until smooth.
- Add paprika, salt, cumin, coriander, allspice, onion powder, turmeric, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, and red pepper flakes. Stir until fully combined.
- Add chicken and toss until every piece is evenly coated in the marinade.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For the best flavor, marinate for 4-12 hours.
- Cook using your preferred method below.
Oven Method:
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Arrange chicken on a sheet pan in a single layer.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end for extra caramelized edges.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F.
- Arrange chicken in a single layer.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Grill Method:
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill chicken for 5-7 minutes per side.
- Cook until lightly charred and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Notes
- Chicken thighs will give you the juiciest, most authentic shawarma-style results.
- A mix of chicken thighs and chicken breast gives a great balance of flavor and lean protein.
- Don't skip the cardamom—it adds that signature shawarma flavor.
- The yogurt won't make this taste like a yogurt marinade; it simply helps tenderize the chicken.
- For extra authentic flavor, serve with pita, garlic sauce, tahini sauce, pickled turnips, cucumbers, tomatoes, and fresh parsley.
- Shawarma Spice Blend: Instead of the homemade spice blend, use 2 to 2½ tablespoons of store-bought shawarma seasoning. Check the label first—if it already contains salt, reduce or omit the additional salt in the recipe.
- Calories are an estimate and will vary depending on chicken cut and how much marinade is consumed during cooking.