Looking for a simple and healthy meal that's packed with flavor? Chicken shawarma is the answer for a simple, yet easy healthy meal to eat. Chicken shawarma or even a beef shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish is made with tender, marinated chicken that's typically roasted on a spit or grill, then sliced and served in a wrap or pita bread. While it might sound complicated, making chicken shawarma at home is actually quite easy, and requires just a handful of ingredients that you may already have on hand in your kitchen.
Craving something flavorful and healthy for dinner tonight? Look no further than this delicious and easy recipe for chicken shawarma. A satisfying dinner option that's both nutritious and delicious. Of course we are going to recommended some places to try Shawarma and provide a little history of shawarma too.
Is shawarma consider as a sandwich or not too. Let begin our shawarma journey.
Table of Content
- Chicken Shawarma: How to Cook
- What is Shawarma
- Shawarma History
- Where to eat Chicken Shawarma
- Shawarma in Thailand
- Shawarma in Singapore
- Shawarma in England (London)
- Shawarma Fun Fact
- What's Next
Chicken Shawarma: How to Cook
Chicken Shawarma Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless chicken breast, thinnly slice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- salt and pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pita Bread
- Toppings(tomatoes, onion, lettuce, hot sauce, tahini sauce, more)
Instructions
- Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Add chicken to the bowl and coat it evenly with your marinade. Cover the chicken with wrap and put it in the fridge for 1 hour or overnight.
- Preheat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side.
- Warm up the pita bread in the microwave or on a skillet.
- Assemble the Shawarma by placing the cooked chicken strips on top of the pita bread. Add your desired toppings. And do not forget the hot sauce.
- Roll the pita bread and it is ready to serve
What is Shawarma
Shawarma consists of marinated and roasted meat, which can be chicken, beef, lamb, or a combination of these meats combine together. The meat is shaved off the rotating spit and served in a pita bread with vegetables, such as lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, and sauces, such as tahini, garlic, and hot sauce. Some variations of Shawarma may also include additional ingredients, such as pickles, hummus, or fried potatoes.
Shawarma History
Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish that gained popularity all over the world. Shawarma is made by roasting meat on a spit, usually beef, chicken, or lamb and slicing it into thin strips. It is then served in a pita bread with vegetables and sauces. The origins of Shawarma can be traced back to the Levant, a region that includes Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine, where it is believed to have been invented in the 19th century.
On the other hand, The Cape Gazette claims that shawarma's origins may be traced all the way back to the Ottoman Empire in the 18th century. The word shawarma itself is Arabic for "turning" (via Taste Atlas). It has strong ties to contemporary Turkey, and the meat was historically marinated in a mixture of yogurt, vinegar, and several fragrant spices. Shawarma was traditionally cooked over an open flame, but in current times, the meat is properly cooked using gas or electricity.
One of the earliest recorded references to Shawarma was in an Arabic cookbook called "Kitab Al-Tabikh" written by an Abbasid-era author named Ibn Sayyar al-Warraq according to The Mashed. The book dates back to the 10th century, and it contains a recipe for a dish called "thina samak," which is very similar to Shawarma. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that Shawarma became a popular street food in the Levant, where it was sold by vendors who roasted the meat on a vertical spit.
Today, Shawarma is enjoyed all over the world, with variations of the dish being found in countries such as Turkey, Greece, Egypt, and Israel. In fact, according to a report by Global Market Insights, the global Shawarma market size was valued at over USD 16 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 6% between 2021 and 2027. The popularity of Shawarma can be attributed to its delicious taste and the ease with which it can be prepared and served, making it a favorite among busy city-dwellers and young professionals.
Where to eat Chicken Shawarma
Of course Shawarma is a very popular dish not in the Middle East or in the west. But it is found all over the world. From the streets of Thailand, to the city state of Singapore and of course a night out in England. We are going to recommend a couple of places you must try when you visit these countries to eat shawarma.
Shawarma in Thailand
When you are visiting the land of smile. Of course you got to try Thai food such as Panang Curry or even Tom Yum soup or even Khao Soi noodles. But once in a while is good to try something different from other nations and how they stay true to the roots or even adapt to the local taste.
Here are two recommended places to try and eat shawarma in Thailand.
- Sukhumvit soi 3: After a night out in streets of Bangkok City. A shawarma at Sukhumvit Soi 3 does the treat. You can have it as a roll, or just roasted meat with fries on the side. The sauce is a killer, tangy, spicy and sweet. A punch of flavors in your mouth. A must try!
- Bangkok Pontine: Located nearby Khao San Road, is actually a Canadian restaurant. But they have really good shawarma served and cook in Bangkok. As in Canada shawarma is also a very popular dish to eat.
Shawarma in Singapore
Let's move towards the city-state of Singapore. The melting pot of food with different culture. You got traditional chinese dish such as Hokkien Mee to Indian roti and teh tarik drink in Singapore. So where can we find a good shawarma in Singapore.
- Blu Jaz: an tranquil and chill outdoor location in Singapore nearby to Clarke Quay. Nice, and chill layout to have a shawarma with a glass of beer.
- Kebabs Faktory: As the name suggested you will have good shawarmas here, located in Downtown, Singapore. Downtown Singapore is where majority of offices and businesses are. So if you are open nearby office and workplaces. You got to have good food during peak lunch hours.
Shawarma in England (London)
London on the other hand is also a melting pot of food culture. You can find various food from all over the world in London. For shawarma you can find it from food trucks outside a pub till a fancy restaurant at Hyde Park. But we are going to focus on street stalls shawarma. As those are the most authentic places to eat the dish.
- Taza can be recognized from the line that frequently forms outside its entrance during mealtimes. Also, you might notice the very enormous sticks of meat that are slowly roasting in its window. They have been specializing in Iranian and Lebanese cuisine since 1985, making them somewhat of a pillar of the London kebab scene.
- A food truck that is always park at Shepard Bush Springfields shopping mall. Everyday from 5pm till midnight you will see a food truck park out the shopping mall. With a strong Middle East community in Shepard Bush. This place is a must-try.
Shawarma Fun Fact
With Salaryman Cooking they are always some fun and interesting fun fact on each recipe, food and drinks we provide and come up with. This time we have some shocking or maybe just common fun fact on the sandwich. Tell us in the comment which fun fact you think is something new you are reading.
- Shawarma is a typical street food that can be found across the globe and is known for its bold, deep flavor profiles.
- Shawarma is a juicy sandwich-like wrap made of grilled lamb, chicken, beef, turkey and other meat varieties.
- The Avengers shawarma scene was inspired by Xander from Buffy4. Source
What's Next
All in all, chicken shawarma is a versatile and delicious dish that's easy to make at home. A healthy dish that you do not need a big rolling machine to roast the meat. A simple home made chicken roast with the correct sauces and ingredients. You got yourself a shawarma roll. Or as we Salaryman Cooking does it to even use the chicken as a salad dish too. You got a two-in-one healthy meal right here!
Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to please. So why not give it a try, and share your experience with us in the comments below? We'd love to hear from you and see how you put your own spin on this classic Middle Eastern dish!
Shawarma and kebab are both popular Middle Eastern dishes, but they are prepared differently. Shawarma is made by stacking marinated meat on a vertical spit and roasting it slowly until it is cooked through, while kebab is made by skewering chunks of marinated meat and grilling them over an open flame. Additionally, shawarma is typically served in a pita bread with vegetables and sauces, while kebab is often served with rice, vegetables, and bread.
Both are made by roasting meat on a spit and serving it in a bread with vegetables and sauces. However, the main difference between the two is the type of meat used. Shawarma is typically made with chicken, beef, or lamb, while gyro is made with pork, beef, or lamb. Additionally, shawarma is more commonly found in Middle Eastern cuisine, while gyro is more commonly associated with Greek cuisine. With gyro you add some french fries in the wrap too.
Shawarma can be a healthy option if prepared and served in the right way. The meat used in shawarma is usually lean and high in protein, which can help promote satiety and build muscle. To make Shawarma a healthier option, choose a lean meat, such as chicken, and limit the amount of sauce and toppings added.
