Shawarma-Inspired Skillet Chicken is a quick dish (You will need only about 20 minutes or so) that is packed with texture and flavour, and it tastes exactly like famous street food.
Hello everyone! Happy Monday if it’s appropriate to say so. I hope you enjoyed the weekend, and you’re ready to tackle another week. Today, I will keep it short and sweet (No kidding this time.)
Chef Paul Lillakas
Besides, who needs too many words when you see something utterly scrumptious? That’s the case today! So please take your seat, grab a big spoon, and enjoy this Shawarma-Inspired Skillet Chicken.
This recipe was developed by the Chef Paul Lillakas – if you don’t follow this guy on his Instagram, you should definitely start! When I saw the recipe for Shawarma-Inspired Skillet Chicken (I am keeping the original name), I immediately bookmarked it and knew I would be making it soon. Because it looked crazy delicious! Now, I am sharing this recipe with you because I honestly believe it should go viral. Indeed, it seems that more and more people are trying it.
What’s Shawarma?
You probably know that original shawarma is a dish consisting of meat cut into thin slices, stacked in a cone-like shape, and roasted on a slowly-turning rotisserie. It never would have occurred to me you could make a simplified version right in you kitchen with only one pan needed. Crazy, right? But it works!
I was 100 % sure this dish would be tasty. However, I was still a tiny bit skeptical about the flavours. Would it taste like or at least resemble shawarma?
Shawarma-Inspired Skillet Chicken
When you just start cooking, the result is not obvious. After about 5 minutes of cooking, all the flavours start coming together, and you really feel the distinctive shawarma aromas. The best part happens after about 15-18 minutes when most of the liquid has evaporated, and all this caramelization starts. It’s totally up to you how long to continue browning the chicken. Two minutes would be sufficient for enough caramelization and still juicy meat. I wanted a drier version, so I cooked slightly longer, about 5 extra minutes.
The blend of spices is spot on. I didn’t change anything in the recipe except for adding a bit of smoked paprika and chipotle. Some extra smoky kick won’t hurt, right?
Does this Chicken Shawarma Taste Like Shawarma?
The result? Absolutely fabulous! With warm pita (or any other flatbread) and tahini sauce, it’s a perfect weekend meal.
And yes, it tastes like shawarma. As good as any restaurant-style. Wrong! It’s much better. Because you can customize it to your preferences.
So let me thank Chef Paul Lillakas once again for the recipe I will be making quite often. I hope you like this Shawarma-Inspired Skillet Chicken, and you will give it a try soon! Daisy approved.
Need more one-skillet chicken ideas?
Apricot Pine Nuts Chicken Skillet
Creamy Chicken Breasts with Prunes
Cheers.
Shawarma-Inspired Skillet Chicken
Course: MainDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes25
minutesShawarma-Inspired Skillet Chicken. Recipe by by the Chef Paul Lillakas.
Ingredients
- Shawarma-Inspired Skillet Chicken:
12 boneless chicken thigs, thinly sliced
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp. olive or canola oil
2 tbsp. white vinegar
2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp. ground coriander
2 tbsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. chili flakes
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
a god pinch of chipotle powder
- Tahini Sauce:
1/2 cup warm water
1/3 cup tahini
1/3 cup yogurt
1 tbsp. mayonnaise
3 tbsp. lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp. salt
- For Serving:
Pita or other flatbread, warm
Iceberg lettuce (shredded), tomatoes, cucumbers (sliced) or other vegetables
Directions
- In a large bowl combine the soy sauce, vinegar, oil, brown sugar, garlic, coriander, cumin, chili flakes, smoked paprika, chipotle, and salt. Mix until the sugar dissolves. Add the sliced chicken and mix.
- Transfer the chicken (with all liquid) into a large non-stick over medium-high heat and cook, stirring often, until no liquid remains, about 15-18 minutes. That’s when caramelization starts. Keep cooking until well-caramelized, 3 to 5 minutes or slightly longer, as desired.
- Meantime, in a small-medium bowl combine the tahini and water until smooth. Stir in the yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, garlic, and salt and whisk until well-combined. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Serve Shawarma-Inspired Skillet Chicken with warm flatbread, vegetables, and tahini sauce. Enjoy!
Hi – I’m Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I’m glad you’re here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.
This looks absolutely delicious and so happy about the quick preparation time too! I’m always on the lookout for easy to make chicken recipes. I’ve never made my own shwarmas at home and I love them. This looks like something my family will enjoy too.
Lynne Huysamen recently posted…7 Reasons Why You Need Socks With Rubber Soles For Babies
My favorite new recipe!
Thank you!
Do you think this recipe would work with sirloin steak too?
This is one of my best dish. This looks absolutely mouthwatering with tahini sauce and chicken thighs are my favourite part of chicken
Lutfur azad recently posted…পোড়া বেগুন ভর্তা
Love it my hubby found your recipe so now we have it every week AWESOME DELICIOUS
I tried this recipe a couple of days ago and OMG it was delicious!! Thank you for sharing. It will be enjoyed at our house often. I made naan bread and it is a must with this dish.
Lori recently posted…My Week
Mmmmmm I love this! Great seasoning. I hate when cooks aren’t generous with seasoning. And the sauce is fantastic. Great photos, and that kitty is so pretty!
Thank you very much!
This looks terrific. Love shawarma, and this is such a neat recipe for it. Love the kitty picture — terrific tongue action!
John / Kitchen Riffs recently posted…Asparagus with Parmesan
Thank you John from both Daisy and I! :)
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Porcini Mushroom Chicken Skillet
My spoon is ready for devouring this chicken skillet, Ben!! I love anything shawarma, so this skillet of yum is screaming my name!! I’ve never heard of Chef Paul Lillakas, but I’ll be sure to check him out just as soon as I’m done drooling over these beautiful photos!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Shrimp Saganaki – Greek Baked Shrimp Recipe
Right Cheyanne – absolutely delicious with minimum effort?!
Sure check this guy out – he regularly posts some awesome and easy ideas.
Oh, I’m intrigued now! I love shawarma, but I’ve never attempted to tackle it at home. What a cool idea to make it in this way. Plus, serving that chicken with warm pita bread is my definition of awesome! I can see why this is a already a favorite in your house, Ben!
David @ Spiced recently posted…Loaded Cajun Nachos
Thank you David – it’s really awesome and quick to make.
No I am thinking what if I make a shawarma flatbread? Basically, the same idea just with grilled flatbread and perhaps some cheese :)
I love shawarma and was actually just saying to Etienne how I haven’t had a good shawarma since I worked downtown (ages ago). This dish looks so delicious my friend!!
And it tastes even better – you should definitely try it, too! Thank you Katherine.
Oooh, I love shawarma and anything wrapped in naan! This looks incredible! Can’t wait to try out the recipe :)
Thank you Michelle!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Shawarma-Inspired Skillet Chicken
We adore shawarma! This looks absolutely mouthwatering with tahini sauce and chicken thighs are my favourite part of chicken.
angiesrecipes recently posted…Browned Butter Coffee Friands
Thank you!
This is one fabulous dish and love all things shawarma! The caramelized flavors are amazing and having warmed pita or naan on the side is a must. You nailed it, Ben! Can’t wait to give this recipe a go.
Kim | Give it Some Thyme recently posted…Italian Grilled Cheese with Pesto Whipped Ricotta
Thank you Kim!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Shawarma-Inspired Skillet Chicken