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Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 66 reviews
  • Author: Lily
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours
  • Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern
  • Diet: Halal

Description

This Slow Cooker Chicken Shawarma recipe delivers tender, flavorful Middle Eastern spiced chicken that’s effortless to prepare and perfect for a comforting meal. Marinated with garlic, lemon, and aromatic spices, the chicken cooks slowly to achieve a juicy, shreddable texture, ideal for serving in pita bread or over rice with fresh vegetables.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Serving

  • Pita bread or rice, for serving


Instructions

  1. Gather Ingredients: Collect all ingredients to ensure smooth preparation.
  2. Prepare Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground coriander, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  3. Marinate Chicken: Coat the chicken breasts thoroughly in the marinade and allow it to rest while preparing your slow cooker.
  4. Cook Chicken: Place the marinated chicken breasts into the slow cooker and pour any leftover marinade over the top.
  5. Slow Cook: Cook on low heat for 6-7 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
  6. Shred and Serve: Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Serve the warm shredded chicken on pita bread or over rice, accompanied by fresh vegetables if desired.

Notes

  • For best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour or overnight before cooking.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier result.
  • Serve with fresh cucumber, tomatoes, and a drizzle of tahini or yogurt sauce for a complete meal.
  • Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.