Sizzling Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma Recipe for Beginners

Aromatic spices dance across succulent chicken shawarma that transports you straight to Middle Eastern street food heaven.

Marinated in a blend of warm, complex flavors, this slow cooker chicken shawarma promises an effortless culinary adventure.

Traditional techniques merge with modern convenience, creating a dish that’s both authentic and accessible.

The gentle, low-heat cooking method ensures each tender morsel absorbs maximum flavor and remains incredibly juicy.

Fragrant cumin, paprika, and garlic weave their magic throughout the meat, promising a mouthwatering meal that’s sure to impress.

Serve with warm pita, crisp vegetables, and creamy tzatziki for a complete dining experience that celebrates bold, vibrant tastes.

Prepare to be amazed by how simple ingredients can create such an extraordinary meal.

Things You’ll Need For Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma

• Olive Oil: Helps distribute flavors and keeps chicken moist during slow cooking.
• Lemon Juice: Tenderizes meat and adds bright, zesty undertone to shawarma.
• Garlic: Provides deep, aromatic base that elevates the entire dish's flavor profile.
• Paprika: Brings warm, slightly sweet color and rich depth to the spice blend.
• Cumin: Delivers earthy, warm notes characteristic of Middle Eastern cuisine.
• Turmeric: Contributes golden color and subtle peppery undertone.
• Cinnamon: Introduces unexpected warmth and complexity to the spice mix.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all other seasonings.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and traditional seasoning kick.

• Chicken Thighs: Provides rich, juicy meat that remains tender during slow cooking.

• Onions: Creates flavorful foundation and helps prevent chicken from sticking.

Helpful Gear For Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma

• Slow Cooker: Essential for cooking chicken evenly and keeping meat tender and juicy.
• Mixing Bowls: One small and one large bowl needed for preparing marinade and coating chicken.
• Measuring Spoons: Perfect for accurately measuring spices and ensuring balanced flavor.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for slicing onions and chicken thighs with precision.
• Cutting Board: Provides safe surface for chopping ingredients.
• Baking Sheet: Used for optional broiling step to create crispy chicken edges.
• Tongs: Helpful for transferring and arranging chicken in slow cooker and during broiling.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Useful for mixing marinade and stirring ingredients.

Steps To Make Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma

• Whip Up A Flavor-Packed Marinade

Mix an explosion of spices in a bowl. Blend olive oil, zesty lemon juice, crushed garlic, and your spice mixture into a mouthwatering concoction.

• Drench Chicken In Delicious Goodness

Massage the marinade into chicken thighs, making sure every inch gets coated. Let the flavors mingle in the refrigerator for maximum tastiness.

• Create A Slow Cooker Magic Bed

Layer sliced onions across the bottom of your slow cooker. Gently place marinated chicken on top, drizzling any remaining marinade for extra punch.

• Transform Into Tender Perfection

Cover and let your slow cooker work its magic. Cook on low for several hours until chicken becomes incredibly tender and falls apart effortlessly.

• Add Crispy Finishing Touch

Want some texture? Move chicken to a baking sheet and broil briefly to create irresistible crispy edges that’ll make mouths water.

• Serve Up Deliciousness

Slice or shred your succulent chicken. Tuck into warm pitas, scatter over rice, or create a stunning salad topping. Pair with creamy sauces for an ultimate flavor explosion.

Smart Tips For Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma

• Perfect Marination Magic: Let chicken soak in marinade overnight to develop deep, rich flavor profiles that transform ordinary meat into extraordinary shawarma.
• Make-Ahead Master Trick: Prepare marinade and chicken up to 24 hours in advance, storing in refrigerator for convenient meal prep that saves time and intensifies taste.
• Diet-Friendly Swaps: Replace chicken thighs with tofu or jackfruit for vegetarian version, ensuring same spice blend delivers authentic Middle Eastern taste without meat.
• Low-Carb Serving Suggestion: Skip pitas and serve over cauliflower rice or wrapped in large lettuce leaves for a protein-packed, keto-friendly meal that keeps carbohydrates minimal.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Portion cooked chicken in airtight containers, freeze up to 3 months, allowing quick reheating for fast weeknight dinners or meal prep lunches.

Ways To Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma

• Pita Pocket Paradise: Stuff warm pitas with tender chicken, crisp lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a generous drizzle of creamy garlic sauce for a handheld delight that bursts with Mediterranean flavors.
• Rice Bowl Extravaganza: Layer fluffy basmati rice with shredded chicken, sprinkle with fresh herbs, add a dollop of hummus, and garnish with pickled vegetables for a hearty and colorful meal.
• Salad Sensation: Create a vibrant salad base with mixed greens, cucumber, red onion, and top with warm chicken shawarma. Dress with a zesty lemon-tahini vinaigrette and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts for crunch.
• Mezze Platter Magic: Arrange sliced chicken on a large platter surrounded by olives, feta cheese, roasted vegetables, warm pita bread, and various dips like tzatziki and baba ganoush for a stunning shared meal.

Storage Help For Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma

• Quick Chilling Method: Store leftover chicken in airtight containers within two hours of cooking, keeping the meat moist and preventing bacterial growth. Refrigerate for up to four days, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
• Freeze-Friendly Approach: Portion cooked chicken into meal-sized containers, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Sealed packages can stay fresh for three months, providing convenient future meal options.
• Reheating Secrets: Warm refrigerated chicken gently in microwave or skillet with a splash of broth, preventing dryness. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and maintain tender texture.
• Ingredient Separation Strategy: Store marinades and sauces separately from chicken to maintain crisp texture. Keep garlic sauce, hummus, and tzatziki in sealed containers in the refrigerator, extending their usable life and preventing flavor mixing.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 7

Tender Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma Recipe

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• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Savor Middle Eastern flavors with this easy slow cooker chicken shawarma recipe that brings authentic spices to your home kitchen. Tender chicken with aromatic spices will delight you with its rich, comforting taste.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (907 g) chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground allspice
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

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Instructions

1. Spice Preparation: Whisk ground cumin, turmeric, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl to create a vibrant, aromatic spice blend.
2. Marinade Creation: Blend lemon juice, minced garlic, and olive oil into the spice mixture, forming a fragrant liquid that will deeply flavor the chicken.
3. Marinating Process: Thoroughly coat chicken thighs in the marinade, then refrigerate for at least one hour (preferably overnight) to allow maximum flavor absorption.
4. Slow Cooking Setup: Spread thinly sliced onions across the slow cooker base, then carefully position the marinated chicken on top. Pour any remaining marinade over the meat to ensure complete flavor infusion.
5. Cooking Cycle: Cover and cook on low for six hours or high for four hours, ensuring the chicken becomes tender and fully infused with the spice blend.
6. Finishing Technique: Check that chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature. For added texture, transfer to a baking sheet and broil 2-3 minutes until edges caramelize and crisp slightly.
7. Serving Suggestion: Shred or slice the chicken and serve in warm pita bread, over rice, or on a salad. Accompany with tzatziki, hummus, or yogurt sauce for an authentic Mediterranean experience.

Notes

• Maximize Marinade Absorption: Refrigerate chicken for at least 4-8 hours, preferably overnight, to allow spices to deeply penetrate and tenderize the meat.
• Prevent Dryness: Check chicken periodically during slow cooking to ensure moisture retention, adding a splash of chicken broth if needed to maintain juiciness.
• Enhance Caramelization: Broiling after slow cooking creates crispy edges and intensifies flavor complexity, transforming the dish’s texture and visual appeal.
• Dietary Adaptations: Swap chicken thighs with tofu or jackfruit for vegetarian version, use cauliflower rice for low-carb option, and ensure gluten-free pita or lettuce wraps for alternative serving methods.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg