Easy Chicken Shawarma Bowl Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is shawarma chicken made of? ›

Traditional chicken shawarma is basically well-marinated chicken, layered on a vertical rotisserie or spit where it's slow-roasted for days--in its own juices and fat--until perfectly tender and extra flavorful!

Flavorful Seasonings: Shawarma is typically made with a combination of aromatic spices, including cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and garlic, which create a rich and complex flavor profile. The seasonings are what give shawarma its distinct and delicious taste.

Overall, shawarma can be enjoyed guilt-free as part of a balanced diet due to its array of nutritional highlights. Packed with lean protein, a variety of fresh vegetables, and a rich blend of antioxidants, this Middle Eastern gem that is celebrated in Nigeria not only satisfies taste buds but also nourishes the body.

Shawarma is prepared from thin cuts of seasoned and marinated lamb, mutton, veal, beef, chicken, or turkey. The slices are stacked on a skewer about 60 cm (20 in) high. Pieces of fat may be added to the stack to provide extra juiciness and flavour.

Middle Eastern chicken shawarma is a delicious pita sandwich recipe made with thinly sliced seasoned chicken, veggies, and sauce wrapped in a pita bread.

Tahini sauce: Undoubtedly the most popular option to top your shawarma is tahini sauce. This sesame based sauce is a staple in Middle Eastern cooking and very easy to make at home. Some markets sell it ready made but we recommend you opt for purchasing plain sesame paste and making it yourself.

Once the shawarma is cooked, it is usually cut or shaved using a thin long knife. Only what is needed is cut into thin, wide strips. The meat is then served in a stuffed pita, wrap, or sandwich and is paired with an assortment of vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, turnip.

In fact, it's widely known that eating food that contains fiber can help reduce the symptoms of bloating as well as constipation. Thus, eating shawarma could assist in meeting the carbohydrates you require. Additionally, fiber is also beneficial in weight loss and for regulating the level of sugar within the body.

Shawarma is all about the delicious sauces that accompany the meat – typically garlic yoghurt or tahini and hommus – and the secret ingredient: pickles. Pickled vegetables are what take shawarma to a whole new plane: pickled cucumbers, turnips, and even carrots or mangoes are common.

What is shawarma seasoning made of? ›

A Middle Eastern staple, shawarma seasoning is made with a unique combination of spices including cumin, turmeric, and paprika. It's bold, bright, and unbelievably delicious. If you've never had it, you're in for a serious treat! All you have to do is combine the ingredients in a bowl, and they're good to go.

When people in America hear the term shawarma, they think of gyro, and while gyro is prepared the same way as shawarma, it is not created using the same kind of meats. Gyro is made with ground meat, lamb, beef, or goat. It is also served with tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and tzatziki.

Shawarma is packed in dietary fiber, vitamin B6, healthy salt and zinc. But overeating may cause food poisoning and unhealthy weight gain. Diabetics must avoid shawarma to prevent coronary artery diseases. Consult your healthcare expert if you are planning to add it to your daily diet plan.

It's healthy: The grilled meat in a shawarma comes with lots of crisp vegetables and fat-free spreads. But the same cannot be said about its Western cousin – the burger. You can chat with the guy who makes it: The people who prepare shawarmas are dedicated and friendly.

This makes shawarma a less desirable food choice for those with diabetes or those at risk of developing the condition. Consider choosing a whole wheat or low-carb wrap, as the wrap is usually the largest source of carbohydrates in shawarma.

The main shawarma-kebab difference lies in how the meat is cooked. For shawarmas, the meat is usually cooked using a rotisserie, while kebabs are prepared skewered. The doner or the kebab base is the only kind that resembles the classic shawarma.

While gyros usually come with the same combo of lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, shawarmas are often topped with a medley of pickled fruits and veggies. Shawarma is a predecessor to tacos al pastor, a Mexican dish made of spit-grilled pork.

The main difference between shawarma and gyro is the type of meat used. Shawarma is typically made with chicken, turkey, beef, or lamb, while gyro is traditionally made with pork. Shawarma is also cooked on a vertical rotisserie, while gyro is cooked on a horizontal rotisserie.

What does chicken shawarma taste like? There are many different versions of chicken shawarma, but the marinade spices often include garlic, cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, and paprika. The grilled or roasted meat has a complex flavor that's a delicious combination of tangy, warm, and smoky.