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Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma Recipe

4.9 from 165 reviews

This Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma recipe offers a flavorful and tender Middle Eastern-inspired dish that’s easy to prepare. The chicken thighs are marinated in a fragrant blend of spices and cooked slowly with onions to absorb maximum flavor, resulting in juicy, aromatic meat perfect for wraps, salads, or rice bowls.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Juice of 1 lemon

Additional Ingredients

  • 1 large red onion, sliced

Instructions

  1. Prepare Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice until well combined to form the marinade.
  2. Marinate Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the marinade and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to infuse the meat deeply.
  3. Layer Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the sliced red onion evenly at the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer on top of the onions, ensuring the marinade drizzles down for added flavor.
  4. Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on the low setting for 4 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked, tender, and easily shredded with a fork.
  5. Serve: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred or slice it as desired. Serve warm with pita bread, fresh vegetables, and your preferred sauces like tahini or garlic sauce for a complete meal.

Notes

  • For enhanced flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.
  • Feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat.
  • Leftover shawarma can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
  • This dish pairs wonderfully with hummus, tabbouleh, or a fresh cucumber salad.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs with boneless chicken breasts, but thighs remain juicier and more flavorful.

Keywords: Chicken Shawarma, Slow Cooker Chicken, Middle Eastern Chicken, Slow Cooker Shawarma, Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs, Easy Shawarma Recipe