Let’s get grilling with this knockout Chicken Shawarma recipe, using the Ninja Woodfire outdoor grill. The chicken is marinated in sour cream, spices, and lemon, then grilled to juicy perfection with that woodfire flavour we all crave. Paired with a cool cucumber and tomato salad and a punchy tahini sauce, this dish will have you feeling like you’re at a Middle Eastern street market—minus the passport! Trust me, after a bite, you’ll wonder why you didn’t fire up your grill sooner.
Chicken Shawarma with Tomato and Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
For the Tomato and Cucumber Salad:
For the Tahini Sauce:
Instructions
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Marinate the Chicken:
In a large bowl, mix together sour cream, olive oil, tomato puree, lemon zest and juice, garlic, cumin, coriander seeds, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and Aleppo chili flakes. Add the chicken thighs and coat them thoroughly. Cover the bowl with clingfilm and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best for the flavours to really sink in.
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Prepare the Tomato and Cucumber Salad:
In a medium bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, red wine vinegar, olive oil, fresh parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Set aside in the fridge until serving time.
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Make the Tahini Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini paste, warm water, minced garlic, salt, cumin, parsley, lemon juice, and sweet paprika until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste. If tahini isn't your thing, have some garlic mayo on standby for the less adventurous!
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Grill the Chicken:
Set up your Ninja Woodfire Grill by filling the pellet box with the all-purpose blend, then select the 'Air Fry' function. Set the temperature to 200°C (390°F) for 20 minutes, and don’t forget to hit that 'Woodfire Flavour Technology' button for that smoky kick. Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 80°C (175°F) and the outside is nicely crisp.
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Serve:
Once the chicken is grilled, chop it up and serve with warmed flatbreads. Spread a generous layer of tahini sauce on the bread, pile on the chicken, and top with the tomato and cucumber salad. Drizzle with extra sauce if you’re feeling saucy!
Equipment
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Note
If you want to switch it up, garlic mayo or a yogurt-based sauce can be great alternatives to tahini.
Chicken thighs give the best juiciness, but if you're watching the calories, swap them for breasts.
