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Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma Recipe

4.4 from 57 reviews

Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma is a flavorful and tender Middle Eastern dish made by slow-cooking chicken marinated in a blend of traditional shawarma spices, garlic, and lemon. This recipe ensures juicy and aromatic chicken perfect for wraps, salads, or rice dishes with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Marinade & Spices

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and all the shawarma spices including cumin, paprika, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a smooth marinade.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl or zip-lock bag and pour the marinade over them. Toss well to coat all the pieces evenly. For best results, refrigerate and marinate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
  3. Add Chicken to Slow Cooker: Transfer the marinated chicken and all the marinade into the slow cooker. Spread the chicken evenly.
  4. Cook Until Tender: Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld and the chicken to become juicy and fall-apart tender.
  5. Serve: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred or slice it. Serve with pita bread, rice, salad, or your favorite sides.

Notes

  • For more spice, increase the cayenne pepper to 1 teaspoon.
  • Use chicken thighs for juicier and more flavorful results compared to chicken breasts.
  • If time allows, marinate chicken overnight for deeper flavor penetration.
  • Leftover chicken shawarma can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Keywords: chicken shawarma, slow cooker recipes, Middle Eastern chicken, slow cooker chicken, easy chicken shawarma