Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma is juicy, flavorful, and effortless! With warm spices, creamy yogurt, and tender shredded chicken, it’s the perfect set-it-and-forget-it recipe for busy weeknights or family dinners. Serve it in pita wraps, bowls, or over rice for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
4 cloves garlic, minced
For the Spice Marinade:
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground paprika
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Marinade Liquid:
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
For Serving:
Fresh parsley, chopped
Pita bread
Fresh vegetables (like cucumbers and tomatoes)
Optional toppings: feta cheese, pickled onions
Instructions
Mix the Spices: In a large bowl, combine garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
Add the Marinade Liquid: Stir in olive oil, plain yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice until smooth.
Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken thighs in your slow cooker and pour the marinade over them, coating well.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and shreddable.
Shred: Using two forks, shred chicken directly in the slow cooker and stir into the juices.
Serve: Fill pita bread with chicken, add fresh veggies, and top with parsley, feta, or pickled onions if desired.
Notes
For less heat, reduce cayenne pepper.
For meal prep, refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Great for wraps, salads, or rice bowls.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–8 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 325 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg