Egyptian Shawarma (Marinated Grilled Meat)

  • Total time - 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Marinating time - 2 hours
  • Preparation - 15 minutes
  • Cooking time - 15 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Country: Egypt
A close-up shot of freshly cooked chicken shawarma with sauces, pickles, and fresh vegetables.

Shawarma is one of the most popular street foods across the Middle East and North Africa, including Egypt. The key to its perfect flavor is a rich marinade that penetrates the meat. Although the original is prepared on a special vertical rotisserie, a home version using a pan or an oven allows you to achieve a similarly delicious and juicy result.

Ingredients

For the chicken and marinade

  • 500 g chicken breasts or thighs, sliced thinly
  • 0.5 cups plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon paprika, ground
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 0.5 teaspoon allspice, ground
  • 1 teaspoon salt

For serving

  • 4 pita bread or Arabian bread
  • 1 tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • pickles, sliced
  • sauce (e.g., tahini or garlic sauce)

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the meat

In a large bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, crushed garlic, and all the spices. Stir well.

Add the thinly sliced chicken and make sure it's completely coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.

Step 2: Cook the Shawarma

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a little oil. Add the marinated meat and cook until it's golden brown and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes).

If you prefer, you can spread the meat on a baking sheet and bake it in an oven at 200°C (400°F) for about 15 minutes, or until it's crispy on the edges.

Step 3: Serve

Take the pita bread and warm it slightly. Place the cooked meat in the center, along with slices of onion, tomatoes, and pickles. Add a generous amount of your favorite sauce (tahini or garlic sauce).

Roll it up tightly and serve immediately, ideally with french fries or a fresh salad.