Air-Fried Chicken Shawarma: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Chicken Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern street food. It is traditionally made by layering marinated meat onto a spit in a cone-like shape and cooking it on a slow rotisserie or spit. However, it can also be made in an air fryer, which makes the outside crispy and the inside juicy. The air fryer also makes cleanup easier.

To make chicken shawarma in an air fryer, you will need boneless skinless chicken thighs, spices, olive oil, garlic cloves, and lemon juice. You can also make a yogurt or tahini sauce to serve with the chicken. First, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Then, place the chicken pieces in the air fryer and cook at 380-400°F for 10-12 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Finally, let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before slicing it and serving it with your choice of sauce and sides.

Characteristics of Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma

Marinating the chicken

Firstly, gather your ingredients. The exact spices and quantities can vary, but generally, you will need boneless chicken thighs, olive oil, garlic, and a variety of spices such as cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, cayenne pepper, paprika, and black pepper. Some recipes also include natural yoghurt, ginger, and lemon juice in the marinade.

Next, prepare the marinade by mixing all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Ensure that the chicken pieces are well-coated by turning them over a few times in the marinade. You can use a ziplock bag for this step if you prefer. If you have time, leave the chicken to marinate overnight in the refrigerator for maximum flavour. However, if you are short on time, a minimum of 30 minutes to 2 hours will still give good results.

Once the chicken has finished marinating, it is ready to be cooked in the air fryer. If you have marinated the chicken overnight, let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before cooking. Preheat your air fryer to between 180°C and 200°C. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring it is not overcrowded, as this will affect how well the chicken cooks.

Cooking times can vary depending on your air fryer and the size of your chicken pieces, but generally, the chicken will need to cook for around 10-12 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 75°C or 165°F.

After cooking, allow the chicken to rest for about 5-10 minutes before slicing it into thin strips. You can then serve it in pitta or flatbreads with your choice of toppings and sauces.

Preparing the air fryer

Before you begin, ensure your air fryer is clean and ready to use. If you have a new air fryer, be sure to read the instructions and safety guidelines.

When preparing to cook with an air fryer, it is important to know that not all air fryers are equal. Some preheat, and some do not. Some are smaller and may require you to work in smaller batches. It is also important to note that you should never preheat your air fryer with only parchment paper inside.

For this recipe, you will need to preheat your air fryer to a specific temperature, depending on the make and model. Set the temperature to between 350°F and 400°F. If you are using an air fryer that has a grill option, you can thread the chicken pieces onto skewers and cook them on the grill for about 30 minutes at 375°F, turning a few times to char evenly.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can add the chicken. It is important to cook the chicken in a single layer so the edges get crispy. If your air fryer basket is not big enough, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

After cooking the chicken, you can remove it from the air fryer and turn the temperature up to 375°F to 400°F for 3-4 minutes to get some crispy edges.

Cooking the chicken

To cook the chicken for your shawarma, you'll first need to marinate it. Place the chicken in a bowl and add your choice of spices, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. Toss the chicken so that it is well coated in the marinade. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes or, ideally, overnight. If you're marinating overnight, take the chicken out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for an hour before cooking.

Once your chicken is marinated, it's time to cook it in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to between 180°C and 400°F. If you're using an air fryer that doesn't have a preheat setting, simply turn it on and let it warm up for a couple of minutes.

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. If your air fryer is not big enough to fit all the chicken in one layer, you will need to cook it in batches. Spread sliced onions on top of the chicken, if desired.

Air fry the chicken for about 10 minutes, then turn it over and cook for another 2 to 5 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. If you're using a meat thermometer, the temperature should read 75°C.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes. This will ensure the chicken is juicy. If you want thinner slices of chicken for your shawarma, cut the chicken into thin strips after resting.

For extra crispy bits, turn the temperature of the air fryer up to 200°C and return the chicken to the fryer for 3 to 4 minutes until the edges are nice and crispy.

Making the sauce

The sauce, or marinade, is a crucial part of making chicken shawarma in an air fryer. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of spices, oil, and lemon juice, which gives it a delicious Middle Eastern flavour. Here is a step-by-step guide to making the sauce:

• Combine all the ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the spices, oil, garlic, and lemon juice. You can use a variety of spices such as cumin, turmeric, paprika, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Freshly grated or crushed garlic cloves will add a nice punch of flavour.
• Add the chicken: Place the chicken pieces into the bowl with the marinade. You can use boneless and skinless chicken thighs or breasts, but thighs are generally recommended for juicier and more tender meat.
• Coat the chicken: Use your hands or a spoon to thoroughly coat each piece of chicken with the marinade. Make sure all the pieces are well covered and fully immersed in the sauce.
• Marinate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or cling film and place it in the refrigerator to marinate. For best results, marinate the chicken overnight or for at least 2-3 hours. This allows the chicken to absorb the flavours and become tender. If marinating overnight, let the chicken sit at room temperature for an hour before cooking.
• Rest the chicken: After marinating, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for about an hour before cooking. This step helps ensure the chicken cooks evenly.

By following these steps, you will have perfectly marinated chicken ready for cooking in your air fryer. The sauce or marinade is key to giving your chicken shawarma its distinctive flavour, so feel free to adjust the spices and ingredients to your taste preferences.

Serving suggestions

Chicken shawarma can be served in a variety of ways. The traditional way is to serve it in flatbreads, pitas, or wraps, with lettuce, tomato, and onion, and sauces such as tzatziki, dill tzatziki, or tahini.

You can also serve it with a salad, such as Tabbouleh, or with other Middle Eastern dishes like falafel. It can also be served on a bed of rice, or with fries.

For a low-carb option, serve the chicken with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions, drizzled with tzatziki.

Frequently asked questions