Description
A flavorful and tender slow cooker chicken shawarma recipe that requires minimal effort and delivers juicy, melt-in-your-mouth chicken infused with a warm blend of spices.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes
Instructions
- Mix the marinade: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, allspice, salt, pepper, and cayenne if using. Stir until well blended.
- Coat the chicken: Add the chicken thighs and sliced onions to the bowl and toss thoroughly to coat every piece with the spice mix.
- Slow cook: Transfer the chicken and onions into the slow cooker. Spread evenly, cover, and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours until the chicken is tender enough to shred with a fork.
- Shred and stir: Use two forks to shred the chicken in the slow cooker, mixing it with the onions and juices. Optionally, scoop chicken out and reduce juices on stove for a drier texture.
- Serve: Scoop chicken shawarma onto warm pita bread, rice bowls, or salads. Top with tahini sauce, chopped cucumber, tomatoes, or pickled veggies as desired.
Notes
Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor. If your slow cooker runs hot, check chicken at 4 hours to avoid drying out. Shredding the chicken after cooking improves texture and flavor absorption. Leftovers reheat well and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 4 oz (
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 28
Keywords: slow cooker chicken shawarma, chicken shawarma recipe, slow cooker dinner, Middle Eastern chicken, easy chicken shawarma