Description
Savor the flavors of Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma, marinated in a rich blend of spices and yogurt, then air-fried to juicy perfection. Serve it in warm pita bread with fresh vegetables and your favorite sauce for a delightful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons ground coriander
- 2 tablespoons ground paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Pita bread or flatbreads (for serving)
- Vegetables for serving (e.g., lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions)
- Hummus or tahini sauce (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground paprika, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create a spice blend.
- Add the olive oil, plain yogurt, and lemon juice to the spice blend. Whisk together until you have a smooth marinade.
- Place the chicken thighs in the bowl with the marinade. Ensure each piece is well-coated with the marinade. You can use your hands to massage the marinade into the chicken for better flavor absorption.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the chicken to a resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- While the air fryer is preheating, remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator. Let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes.
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil.
- Arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- After resting, use a sharp knife to slice the chicken thighs into thin strips.
- Arrange the sliced chicken on a serving platter and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
- Warm the pita bread or flatbreads in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side.
- To assemble, place a generous amount of sliced chicken in the center of each pita or flatbread.
- Add your choice of fresh vegetables, such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and thinly sliced onions.
- If desired, drizzle with hummus or tahini sauce.
- Wrap the pita or flatbread around the filling, folding in the sides to secure the contents.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of cayenne pepper in the marinade.
- Allowing the chicken to marinate overnight will enhance the flavor significantly.
- Serve with a side of your favorite dipping sauce for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes