Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma

Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma is a tasty and easy dish that brings the vibrant flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine right to your kitchen. This recipe combines tender chicken thighs with a rich blend of spices, all cooked slowly until the meat is perfectly juicy. Serve it with fresh toppings and sauce for a delightful meal that everyone will enjoy.

Making this Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma is a great choice for several reasons. First, it’s simple to prepare, letting you spend more time with family or friends. Second, the slow cooking method ensures that the chicken is incredibly tender and packed with flavor. Finally, this recipe is versatile, allowing you to customize it with your favorite toppings and sauces.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon ground paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• Pita bread or flatbread, for serving
• Sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and lettuce, for garnishing
• Tzatziki or tahini sauce, for drizzling

Directions:

1. In a small mixing bowl, combine minced garlic, ground cumin, coriander, paprika, allspice, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil. Mix well to form a marinade.
2. Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker and pour the marinade over them, making sure the chicken is well coated.
3. Add the sliced onion on top of the chicken.
4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
5. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
6. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, stir it into the juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
7. Warm the pita bread or flatbread and assemble the shawarma by placing some shredded chicken onto each piece of bread.
8. Garnish with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and lettuce.
9. Drizzle with tzatziki or tahini sauce before serving.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma

Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma in warm pita or flatbread. Add your favorite garnishes like fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and onions. Top it off with a drizzle of tzatziki or tahini sauce for a delicious finish that everyone will love.

How to Store Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma

Store any leftover chicken shawarma in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat it in the microwave or on the stove until warmed through.

Tips to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma

• Marinate the chicken overnight for even better flavor.
• Adjust the level of cayenne pepper to control the spice level.
• Use fresh ingredients for the best taste, especially the herbs and vegetables.
• Feel free to add other toppings like pickles or grilled vegetables.

Variations

You can customize your chicken shawarma in various ways. Try using different cuts of chicken or even a combination of chicken and lamb for a different flavor. Additionally, you can switch up the toppings with ingredients like grilled peppers or roasted eggplant.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but they may not be as moist. Adjust the cooking time as they may cook faster than thighs.

2. Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, you can freeze shredded chicken for later use. Store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

3. What can I serve with chicken shawarma?
Besides pita bread, you can serve it with rice, salad, or in a wrap. Adding sides like hummus or tabbouleh complements the dish beautifully.

Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma

A tasty and easy dish that brings the vibrant flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine with tender chicken thighs spiced to perfection, all cooked slowly for maximum flavor.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Calories: 400

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Marinade

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon ground paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Adjust for spice level
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Main Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 pack pita bread or flatbread
• to taste salt and black pepper

For Garnishing

• sliced cucumbers
• tomatoes
• red onions
• lettuce
• tzatziki or tahini sauce for drizzling

Method

 

Preparation

1. In a small mixing bowl, combine minced garlic, ground cumin, coriander, paprika, allspice, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil. Mix well to form a marinade.
2. Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker and pour the marinade over them, making sure the chicken is well coated.
3. Add the sliced onion on top of the chicken.

Cooking

1. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
2. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
3. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, stir it into the juices to keep it moist and flavorful.

Serving

1. Warm the pita bread or flatbread and assemble the shawarma by placing some shredded chicken onto each piece of bread.
2. Garnish with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and lettuce.
3. Drizzle with tzatziki or tahini sauce before serving.

Notes

Marinate the chicken overnight for even better flavor. Adjust the level of cayenne pepper to control the spice level. Use fresh ingredients for the best taste, especially the herbs and vegetables. Feel free to add other toppings like pickles or grilled vegetables.