Delicious BBQ Chicken Shawarma

Chicken shawarma is a delicious Middle Eastern dish that can be easily prepared on a BBQ grill. Here’s a comprehensive guide to making authentic BBQ chicken shawarma:

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons ground coriander
• 8 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons allspice
• Juice of 1 lemon

Preparation Steps

Marinating the Chicken

1. Create the Marinade: In a bowl, mix all the spices, minced garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice to form a paste. For best results, you can pulse the ingredients in a food processor to create a smooth marinade.
2. Coat the Chicken: Thoroughly rub the chicken thighs with the marinade, ensuring every piece is well-coated. For maximum flavour, marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight in the fridge.

Grilling the Shawarma

3. Prepare the Grill: Heat your BBQ to medium-high heat. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water beforehand to prevent burning.
4. Grill the Chicken:
   • Place the marinated chicken on the grill
   • Cook for approximately 8 minutes on each side
   • Ensure the chicken develops nice grill marks
   • Continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 70°C (165°F)
5. Resting and Serving:
   • Remove the chicken from the grill
   • Cover with foil and let rest for 10 minutes
   • Thinly slice the chicken

Serving Suggestions

• Serve in pita bread
• Accompany with tzatziki sauce
• Add Israeli salad or pickled vegetables
• Drizzle with tahini yoghurt sauce

Pro Tips:

• Use chicken thighs for more tender and juicy meat
• Don’t rush the marinating process – longer marination means more flavour
• Turn the chicken occasionally while grilling to ensure even cooking

Enjoy your homemade BBQ chicken shawarma!