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Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma

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This easy Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma recipe has tender, spice-infused chicken thighs which cook while you’re away. It’s perfect to pile into warm pitas with a cooling yogurt sauce and fresh veggies.

  • Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless skinless
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons paprika (sweet or smoked)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • For Yogurt Sauce: 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon garlic minced, 2 tablespoons grated cucumber, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • For serving: pitas, lettuce, red onion, cucumbers, tomatoes

Instructions

  1. Whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, cumin, black pepper, salt, turmeric, cinnamon, and red pepper flakes to make marinade.
  2. Add chicken thighs to marinade in a zip-top bag. Refrigerate 4 hours up to overnight.
  3. Slice onion and place in bottom of slow cooker. Place marinated chicken on top.
  4. Cover and cook on high 3-4 hours or low 4-6 hours.
  5. Remove chicken and shred, then return to slow cooker to stay moist.
  6. Prepare yogurt sauce by combining yogurt, garlic, grated cucumber, cumin, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Refrigerate until ready.
  7. Assemble pitas with chicken, yogurt sauce, lettuce, red onion, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

Notes

  • Prep the night before for easier next-day cooking.
  • Use smoked paprika for deeper flavor.
  • Chicken breasts can be substituted, but thighs give more flavor.
  • After shredding, keep chicken in slow cooker 10 minutes to stay juicy.
  • Author: lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooker

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 379
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 624 mg
  • Fat: 26 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 7 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg