Spiced Shawarma Chicken Wraps

It’s time for the second installment of the mid-east feast (read about the zucchini fritters from last week)! This week’s recipe is for Spiced Shawarma Chicken Wraps. I was very intrigued by this recipe when I saw the great variety of spices it called for and I had to make a quick run to the grocery store for a few of the more interesting ones. The combination of spices ended up being absolutely perfect, and I couldn’t believe how full of flavor the chicken was.  I was in a rush making this, so I unfortunately I had to skip some of  accompaniments to these wraps. In her cookbook, Faith has some great recipes for homemade pickles and garlic mayonnaise that sound really good! But if, like me, you’re running short on time, these wraps taste great on their own. The chicken is tender, and the whole thing has a ton of flavor. Mike loved this, and I can’t wait to make it again, this time with all the extras!

Spiced Shawarma Chicken Wraps

Ingredients:

1 batch Shawarma Spice Mix (recipe below)
1/2 cup (125 ml) plain yogurt
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 large cloves garlic, crushed
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 lb (1 kg) boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for sautéing
flatbread, for serving

Shawarma Spice Mix
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground fenugreek
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground sweet paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne) (optional)

Directions:

Prepare the Shawarma Spice Mix. Combine the spice mix with the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and salt in a large bowl. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate 2 to 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°F and spread 1 tablespoon of oil on the inside of a large baking dish. Scrape off any excess marinade from the chicken with your hands. Starting in the center of the oiled dish, arrange the chicken so that it overlaps, and drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil on top. Bake (uncovered) 1 hour, or until the chicken is fully cooked; cool. (It’s done when you cut into the center and there is no pink.)

Remove the chicken from the pan and transfer it to a large cutting board; slice it very thinly across the grain, then transfer it back into the pan it was cooked in to soak up the juices (the chicken can be refrigerated this way for up to 3 days before continuing with the rest of the recipe, or you can continue after 10 minutes).

Coat the bottom of a large skillet over medium-high heat with oil. Once hot, add the sliced chicken and sauté until crispy and golden brown (you may need to sauté the chicken in two or three batches so the pan isn’t overcrowded).

Add some chicken in the center of each piece of bread; (and any other vegetables you like) and roll it up. Toast the sandwiches on a dry griddle or a flat sandwich press so that the bread gets golden brown and slightly crispy. Serve as is, or cut into small rounds; serve with additional Garlic Mayonnaise for dipping.

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12 comments

  1. Shawarma sandwiches are my favorite of all time. Thanks so much for posting this one!! I have all the ingredients for the spice blend in my pantry, too. Yay I can’t wait to try this!!

  2. i’d be happy to spend a lunch hour with you the next time you make these 🙂

  3. I really need to get this cookbook – these wraps look amazing. Love all the spices, sounds so good!

  4. I’m so happy you enjoyed the wraps, Megan! This is my hubby’s favorite recipe from the book (and it’s the only recipe from the book that I can think off the top of my head that he helped me with!) so I always get really excited when it’s a hit with other people too.

    And I love that beautiful plate!

  5. i’ve never heard of Shawarma seasoning, but it sounds right up my ally. yum- love all the flavors 🙂

  6. These wraps were so good weren’t they! I’m making a double batch next week just so I can get more than half a sandwich and share some with my friends. My boys and husband absolutely loved them!

  7. I still can’t get over how much I loved these! I wanted to make them last night but I was vetoed into saving our pita as storm supplies.

  8. I love these flavors. I am always looking for great seasoning blends to make and keep around!

  9. I just came from Rachel Cooks. I love your site and your photography! I’m so glad that you’ve included a recipe for the shawarma spice mix! These flavors are sooooo good!! 🙂

  10. Pingback: Nutmeg Nanny » Spiced Chicken Shawarma Wraps {Mid-East Feast}

  11. These look amazing, Megan! Chicken shawarma is one of the foods I miss the most from our time in the Middle East. I have one recipe I have been pretty happy with but will definitely have to try this one too as they are a bit different and it’s so hard to completely recreate shawarma in a home kitchen. Thanks for highlighting the recipe and the cookbook.

    • Hi Cara! I’d love to hear your opinion if you try this recipe. I haven’t had too much authentic shawarma in my life. 🙂 I hope you guys are doing well!

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