Description
Juicy, spiced Chicken Shawarma in a loaf pan—easy, oven-roasted flavor perfect for meal prep or quick weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 large onion, sliced
- Nonstick spray or parchment paper (for lining pan)
Marinade
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving (Optional)
- Pita or flatbread
- Garlic sauce or tahini
- Pickled onions
- Chopped lettuce, tomato, cucumber
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until the marinade is smooth and fully combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, tossing to coat every surface thoroughly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor.
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to make removal easier.
- Layer the Ingredients: Spread the sliced onion evenly on the bottom of the loaf pan. Stack the marinated chicken thighs tightly on top of the onions, pressing down to fit them snugly.
- Bake Covered: Cover the loaf pan with foil and bake for 45 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook gently in its own juices.
- Bake Uncovered for Crispiness: Remove the foil, increase oven temperature to 425°F (220°C), and bake for another 15–20 minutes, until the edges become crispy and the top is golden brown.
- Rest, Slice, and Serve: Let the chicken rest in the pan for 5–10 minutes. Lift it out using the parchment overhang, then slice thinly for serving. Enjoy in pita or flatbread with garlic sauce and veggies if desired.
Notes
- For extra caramelization, briefly broil the sliced chicken after baking.
- Yogurt in the marinade keeps the meat extra tender; don’t skip it.
- This recipe works well with boneless, skinless chicken breast, but thighs are juicier and more flavorful.
- Marinating overnight gives the best flavor.
- Leftovers are delicious in salads, wraps, or grain bowls.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (approx. 5-6 oz chicken with sauce and veggies)
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 130mg