Warm shawarma spices, garlic, and lemon turn chicken into roasty, aromatic bites built for tortillas. Thread onto skewers and grill until charred, then use your tortilla as a glove to slide the chicken right off.←Back to Taco Base Recipes
1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1.5-inch chunks
1.5 tbsp avocado oil
4 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp smoked paprika
0.5 tsp ground turmeric
0.25 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1.25 tsp kosher salt
0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
6 whole metal or soaked wooden skewers
Whisk marinade: 1 tbsp oil, garlic, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Reserve 2 tbsp marinade in a clean cup for finishing.
Toss chicken with remaining marinade and let sit 30–120 minutes.
Thread the chicken onto 6 skewers, dividing evenly. Leave a little space between pieces. Soak wooden skewers 30 minutes if using.
Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high (around 400°F). Brush grates with remaining oil.
Grill skewers 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred in spots and chicken hits 165°F/74°C.
Here's the move: Hold a warm tortilla in one hand like a mitt. Grab a skewer and use the tortilla to slide the chicken right off and onto the tortilla.
Toss chicken with reserved marinade for a final hit of brightness. Adjust salt or lemon to taste. Mild by default; for warmth, add 1/4 tsp Aleppo or cayenne to the marinade.
Chef's Notes
Spice freshness matters: if your cumin or coriander smells dusty, toast whole seeds and grind. You'll taste the difference in every bite. The tortilla-skewer technique isn't just for show—it helps capture all that spice coating. Dice chicken thighs while frozen or nearly frozen for easier, more uniform pieces.
Into This Base? Remix It!
Shawarma-Spiced Chicken is a taco base recipe — the foundation of your taco, also known as the filling. It sets the flavor direction for everything that follows. Hit remix to pair it with toppings and finishes that complement it or take it somewhere you'd never expect. You might land on something traditional or stumble into full-on taco fusion.Take Shawarma-Spiced Chicken into the Summoning Circle and shuffle it with hundreds of other taco components to create your perfect taco.
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