Tender Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma
A flavorful and tender slow cooker chicken shawarma recipe that brings authentic Middle Eastern street food vibes to your kitchen with minimal effort. Perfect for a hands-off, juicy, and aromatic weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup plain yogurt (120 ml)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup water (120 ml)
- For serving: pita bread or flatbreads, fresh vegetables (sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion), tahini sauce or garlic sauce
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine olive oil, plain yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped onion, cumin, paprika, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until smooth paste forms (3-5 minutes).
- Cut chicken thighs into 2-inch chunks. Toss chicken in marinade until well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
- Lightly grease the slow cooker insert with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Transfer marinated chicken and juices into the slow cooker. Add ½ cup water and stir gently to combine.
- Cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender and shreds easily.
- Shred chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks and mix into the sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt or lemon juice if needed. Keep warm until serving.
- If sauce is too thin, cook uncovered on high for 15-20 minutes to thicken.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for juiciness and flavor; breasts can dry out. Marinate at least 1 hour or overnight for best flavor. Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid during cooking to maintain heat. If sauce is thin, cook uncovered on high to thicken. For dairy-free, substitute yogurt with coconut milk or omit. Can be cooked in Instant Pot using sauté and pressure cook functions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 4 oz (115 g) c
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 32
Keywords: chicken shawarma, slow cooker chicken, Middle Eastern chicken, easy dinner, slow cooker recipe, shawarma spice, tender chicken, healthy chicken recipe