Chicken Shawarma

also called chicken shawarma · shawarma djaj · shish shawarma · shwarma · shawerma · chawarma · chicken doner · chicken döner · chicken gyro · shaved chicken

Three ways to read this recipe

The table

Chicken Shawarma: ingredients down the left, what to do with them across. Tap any cell to cross it off.
3 lb(1.4 kg; skin on, opened out flat)boneless chicken thighscoat every piece, marinate 12 hrstack and press into the tinroast 325°F 1 1/4 hr, then 450°F 15 minrest 20 min, shave off the blockcrisp in the pan 2 min
3 Tbs(one batch)shawarma spice
1/2 cup(120 g)whole-milk yogurt
1/4 cup(60 mL)lemon juice
6 cloves(crushed)garlic
3 Tbs(45 mL)olive oil
2 tspkosher salt
2 oz(60 g; or two extra skins)lamb fat
1 large(in thick slices)yellow onion
1 Tbs(from the tin)rendered fat
Tap anything to cross it off.

What to lay out

Everything the recipe asks for, sitting under the step that eats it. Tick each one as you measure it.13 things to get out.

Pans and tools

1coat every piece, marinate 12 hr

2stack and press into the tin

goes in with what step 1 made

5crisp in the pan 2 min

goes in with what step 4 made

Cooking it

Tap a step when it is done; the next one lights up.

The clock

Start to finish
at least 13 hr 52 min1 of 5 steps gives no time
Needs you
about 2 min
If you get it wrong
Narrow — the fifteen minutes at 450°F is blackening the crown, and it does not stop there once the outside has gone
  1. coat every piece, marinate 12 hr

    12 hrwalk awayfrom the start

  2. stack and press into the tin

    not timed12 hr in

  3. roast 325°F 1 1/4 hr, then 450°F 15 min

    1 hr 30 minwalk away12 hr in

  4. rest 20 min, shave off the block

    20 minwalk away13 hr 30 min in

  5. crisp in the pan 2 min

    2 minneeds you13 hr 50 min in

You'll need loaf tin · oven · skillet

Goes with

See how it is written
>> title: Chicken Shawarma
>> category: Smoked & Grilled
>> tags: chicken, middle eastern, oven, shawarma spice, yogurt marinade
>> counters: Shawarma Counter, The Bowl Shop
>> aka: chicken shawarma, shawarma djaj, shish shawarma, shwarma, shawerma, chawarma, chicken doner, chicken döner, chicken gyro, shaved chicken
>> pairs-with: shawarma-spice, white-sauce, pita-bread, toum
>> servings: 6
>> time: 14 hr
>> slack: narrow — the fifteen minutes at 450°F is blackening the crown, and it does not stop there once the outside has gone

>> step: coat every piece, marinate 12 hr
Coat @boneless chicken thighs{3%lb}(1.4 kg; skin on, opened out flat) piece by piece with @shawarma spice{3%Tbs}(one batch), @whole-milk yogurt{1/2%cup}(120 g), @lemon juice{1/4%cup}(60 mL), @garlic{6%cloves}(crushed), @olive oil{3%Tbs}(45 mL) and @kosher salt{2%tsp}, then cover and ~marinate{12%hr} in the fridge.

>> step: stack and press into the tin
Stack @&(~1)marinated chicken{} flat in a #loaf tin{}, pressing each piece hard onto the last so there is no air between them, and cap it with @lamb fat{2%oz}(60 g; or two extra skins) and @yellow onion{1%large}(in thick slices).

>> step: roast 325°F 1 1/4 hr, then 450°F 15 min
Roast @&(~1)stack{} in the #oven{} at 325°F (160°C) ~roast{1 1/4%hr}, until a skewer meets no resistance, then take it to 450°F (230°C) for ~roast{15%min} to blacken the crown.

>> step: rest 20 min, shave off the block
Rest @&(~1)roasted stack{} ~rest{20%min}, turn it out of the tin, and shave it down the sides in thin sheets with a long knife, the way it comes off the cone.

>> step: crisp in the pan 2 min
Crisp @&(~1)shavings{} in a very hot #skillet{} in @rendered fat{1%Tbs}(from the tin) ~sear{2%min}, tossing once, until the edges catch and go brittle.