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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Spice Preparation: Whisk ground cumin, turmeric, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl to create a vibrant, aromatic spice blend.
- Marinade Creation: Blend lemon juice, minced garlic, and olive oil into the spice mixture, forming a fragrant liquid that will deeply flavor the chicken.
- Marinating Process: Thoroughly coat chicken thighs in the marinade, then refrigerate for at least one hour (preferably overnight) to allow maximum flavor absorption.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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