Chicken Shawarma Kebabs (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)
Updated: Mar 8
Brimming with lots of smoky, tangy flavor and the perfect blend of beautiful warm spices that is pure perfection for your next barbecue. These simple and delicious kebabs are a party of flavors you will love to enjoy with a fresh slaw or salad, or wrapped in a warm pillowy pita with lots of cool, creamy tzatziki sauce. Trust me when I say, these are the tastiest kebabs you will ever have!
Sometimes I am in the mood to have a little bit of everything and with this chicken kebab dish being so simple to make, I can find time to whip of some amazing sides to go with it! Some of my favorite dishes to enjoy with warm chicken shawarma kebabs are:
Whatever you serve with this dish, it's sure to be a hit!
Why Chicken is So Good For You!
We all know that chicken is a tasty and fantastic source of protein, but do you know why it is so good for you? Chicken, along with many other sources of animal protein, such as beef, eggs and fish, are a complete source of protein. This means that all nine essential amino acids are present and available to you when you eat these foods. When it comes to nutrients, anything labeled as "essential" means that your body cannot make or synthesize this nutrient, so it must be provided to your body by the foods you eat.
As mentioned above, there are nine essential amino acids that we must eat everyday to provide our bodies energy as well as the building blocks necessary in everyday functions such as growth and repair, immune support, and in the synthesis of our hormones and neurotransmitters.
The nine essential amino acids and their roles are [1]:
Histidine: necessary for the production of histamine and also plays a role in nervous system health
Valine: necessary in energy production as well as muscle growth and repair
Phenylalanine: building block for neurotransmitters like dopamine and epinephrine (adrenaline), and in the production of other amino acids.
Leucine: necessary in stimulating wound healing, muscle repair, and blood sugar regulation.
Isoleucine: necessary in immune function and energy regulation.
Tryptophan: necessary building block for serotonin.
Methionine: necessary in detoxification, metabolism, and in your body's ability to absorb selenium (supports thyroid health) and zinc (necessary in production of HCl in your stomach).
Threonine: necessary in skin and connective tissue health.
Lysine: necessary in hormone production and your body's ability to absorb calcium (bone, heart, muscle and nerve health.)
So grab a whole chicken and let's get cooking!
Chicken Shawarma Kebabs Ingredients
3 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken thighs, cut into 2” pieces
1/2 cup Avocado oil or EVOO
1/2 cup Fresh Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp Harissa (mild or spicy)
5-6 Cloves Garlic, finely minced
1/2 tsp Ground Turmeric Powder or 1.5 tsp fresh grated Turmeric
2.5 tsp Ground Cumin
1 tsp Ground Coriander
1 tsp Sweet Paprika
1.5 tsp Smoked Paprika
1/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Ground Cardamom
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper (opt)
2 tsp Fine Sea Salt or Pink Salt
1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
How to Make Chicken Shawarma Kebabs
1. In a large bowl combine the EVOO, lemon juice, garlic, harissa, and spices and mix well to evenly combine.
2. Cut the chicken into 2” chunks and transfer to the marinade, stir to combine.
3. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in refrigerator for at least 4-6 hours up to overnight.
4. Preheat the grill to 425 degrees
5. Skewer the chicken and grill for 3-5 minutes, flip and cook another 3-5 minutes until chicken is fully cooked through.
6. Remove from heat and serve with your favorite tzatziki or yogurt sauce.
FAQs
Q: What if I don't have time to marinate the chicken shawarma for long?
A: If that is the case you can either just go ahead and grill it and hope for the best, or you can cook in in a pan with the marinade to increase the flavor.
Q: How long will chicken shawarma keep in the fridge?
A: Typically, with any cooked chicken, you would ideally want to enjoy it within 3-days.
Q: Are there any other proteins I could use in place of the chicken for this dish?
A: Yes, but cook times will vary, but you could marinate tofu, shrimp, fish, pork, or even some veggies and mushrooms!
If you like this recipe, check these out!
Chioggia Raw Beet Slaw: Sweet and mild Chioggia beets with lots of sweet apple and carrots in a beautiful fresh slaw for all your summer meals.
Tangy Cilantro Lime Coleslaw: Fresh lime and earthy cilantro are the stars in this creamy coleslaw making this the perfect dish for burgers and pulled pork!
Kohlrabi Apple Slaw: Crisp and earthy kohlrabi with sweet apples in a tangy fresh vinaigrette is one of my favorite dishes right now.
I hope you enjoy this as much as my family does. - Amy
Did you make this recipe? Tag @almond.milk.and.cookies on Instagram and hashtag it #almondmilkandcookies