Chicken Shawarma Kebabs (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)
Smoky, tender chunks of chicken boast a beautiful blend of warm and tantalizing spices. These simple and delicious kebabs are a party of flavors you will love paired with a fresh slaw or wrapped in a warm, pillowy pita with lots of cool, creamy tzatziki sauce. I know you will love these easy chicken shawarma kebabs as much as we do!
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.)
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:
- Cool Cucumber Tzatziki
- Paleo Tzatziki
- Harissa Hummus
- Baba Ganoush
- Kohlrabi Apple Slaw
- Lemon Roasted Potatoes
- Easy Cauliflower Rice
- Garam Masala Cauliflower
Whatever you serve with this dish, it’s sure to be a hit!
Chicken Shawarma Kebabs Ingredients:
1.5 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken thighs cut into 2” pieces
1/4 cup Avocado oil or EVOO
1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice
2 tsp Harissa mild or spicy
2-3 Cloves Garlic finely minced
1/4 tsp Ground Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Ground Cumin
1/2 tsp Ground Coriander
1/2 tsp Sweet Paprika
1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
1/8 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/8 tsp Ground Cardamom
1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper opt
1 tsp Real Salt
1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
Chicken Shawarma Kebabs (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken thighs cut into 2” pieces
- 1/4 cup Avocado oil or EVOO
- 1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 tsp Harissa mild or spicy
- 2-3 Cloves Garlic finely minced
- 1/4 tsp Ground Turmeric Powder
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Ground Coriander
- 1/2 tsp Sweet Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/8 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp Ground Cardamom
- 1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper opt
- 1 tsp Real Salt
- 1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the EVOO, lemon juice, garlic, harissa, and spices and mix well to evenly combine.
- Cut the chicken into 2” chunks and transfer to the marinade, stir to combine.
- Cover with plastic wrap or a lid and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4-6 hours up to overnight.
- Preheat the grill to 425 degrees.
- Skewer the chicken and grill for 5-7 minutes, flip and cook another 5-7 minutes until chicken is fully cooked through.
- Remove from heat and serve with your favorite tzatziki or yogurt sauce.
Nutrition
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FAQs
Q: What if I don’t have a lot of time to marinate the chicken shawarma?
A: I would marinate at least 15-30 minutes, you won’t get a lot of flavor into the chicken, but the outer marinade will still be delicious.
Q: How long will chicken shawarma keep in the fridge, and how far in advance can I marinate it?
A: Typically, with any cooked chicken, you would ideally want to enjoy it within 3-days, and I wouldn’t marinate the chicken any longer than 24-36 hours.
Q: Are there any other proteins I could use in place of the chicken for this dish?
A: Yes, cook times will vary, but you could marinate tofu, shrimp, fish, pork, or even some veggies and mushrooms!
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I am a holistic nutritionist with an auto-immune disorder, a love of cooking, and a passion for holistic health.
Sharing what I make and eat with all of you…in hopes that you find inspiration here to fuel your body and feel your best with nutrient dense whole foods and clean eating.
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