PALEO CHICKEN SHAWARMA

I used to live next to this amazing Lebanese restaurant that had great chicken shawarma. Between the chicken and the hummus I was in foodie heaven. Now that I moved, and am paleo, I no longer get my delicious shawarma and hummus fix...until now that is!
Shawarma is traditionally cooked on a rotating spit and slowly grilled for hours, then shaved off and served. Well I don't know about you, but I don't happen to have a rotating spit in my house (*yet), so I opted for just grilling the meat instead.
Using chicken thighs and allowing the meat to marinate overnight will result in a moister and more flavorful chicken, however you can use breast meat or a combination of thigh and breast meat if you like. Just make sure to marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours in order to allow the marinade to penetrate.
I enjoy this chicken all by itself, but it tastes the best when dipped in zucchini hummus. Yummy!
Shawarma is traditionally cooked on a rotating spit and slowly grilled for hours, then shaved off and served. Well I don't know about you, but I don't happen to have a rotating spit in my house (*yet), so I opted for just grilling the meat instead.
Using chicken thighs and allowing the meat to marinate overnight will result in a moister and more flavorful chicken, however you can use breast meat or a combination of thigh and breast meat if you like. Just make sure to marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours in order to allow the marinade to penetrate.
I enjoy this chicken all by itself, but it tastes the best when dipped in zucchini hummus. Yummy!
Please note that all recipes and images are the intellectual property of Paleo Cupboard and they may not be copied or distributed without consent.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), chopped into 1 inch pieces
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
- 1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. dried thyme
- 2 tsp. paprika
- 2 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. turmeric
- 1/2 tsp. allspice
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
Equipment:
- 6 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 10 minutes
- Cutting board
- Kitchen knife
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Large resealable plastic bag
- Small mixing bowl
- Mixing spoon
Directions:
1. Prepare the chicken and place in a large resealable plastic bag.
2. Combine the remaining ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir to combine. Pour the marinade over the chicken and toss to thoroughly coat. Place the plastic bag in the refrigerator and allow to marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
3. Heat the grill. Skewer the chicken on soaked bamboo skewers and grill for about 15 minutes or until cooked through, turning once or twice while grilling.
4. Remove chicken from the skewers and serve with zucchini hummus (optional).
- 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), chopped into 1 inch pieces
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
- 1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. dried thyme
- 2 tsp. paprika
- 2 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. turmeric
- 1/2 tsp. allspice
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
Equipment:
- 6 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 10 minutes
- Cutting board
- Kitchen knife
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Large resealable plastic bag
- Small mixing bowl
- Mixing spoon
Directions:
1. Prepare the chicken and place in a large resealable plastic bag.
2. Combine the remaining ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir to combine. Pour the marinade over the chicken and toss to thoroughly coat. Place the plastic bag in the refrigerator and allow to marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
3. Heat the grill. Skewer the chicken on soaked bamboo skewers and grill for about 15 minutes or until cooked through, turning once or twice while grilling.
4. Remove chicken from the skewers and serve with zucchini hummus (optional).