Nigerian Shawarma Recipe (Complete & Easy)

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by Pharm Adenike

Last Updated 01/09/2021

Searching for Nigerian Shawarma Recipe? 

You have come to the right place because this recipe post shows you how to make Nigerian Shawarma, step-by-step. 

Let's get started immediately ...

How to make Nigerian Shawarma

Now, to make shawarma there four (4) major ingredients involved: 

  1. Protein of choice
  2. Vegetables of choice 
  3. Sauce
  4. Flat Bread

Protein of choice

In making shawarma, the protein of choice can include one or both of these: Sausage, meat, lamb, chicken, turkey, etc.

In this recipe post we will be making use of Chicken.

Vegetables of choice

Vegetables of choice can include: tomatoes, cucumber, onions, lettuce, zucchini, etc.

Sauce

The sauce for Nigerian Shawarma is usually a mixture of  mayonnaise, ketchup, red chili flakes or cayenne pepper (for some heat). And sometimes, a garlic sauce can be used.

Flat Bread

Flat bread serves as the wrap for the shawarma.

Preferably, to make shawarma, buying the bread from a local store is the common option but shawarma bread can be made at home as well.

And luckily for you, I have the perfect shawarma bread recipe for you.

Let me quickly walk you through the process of making Flat bread (or Shawarma bread)

Ingredient For Shawarma Bread 
  • 3½ cups of bread flour or all purpose flour
  • ½ cup of flour (for dusting)
  • 2 teaspoons of instant yeast
  • 1 tablespoon of melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
  • ½ cup of warm whole milk (100 degrees)
  • 1 cup of warm water (100 degrees)
  • 1 teaspoon of olive oil, oiling the bowl.
How To Make Shawarma Bread 

  1. In a large bowl, add 1 cup of flour, instant yeast, salt, sugar, butter, milk and water. With the aid of a mixer or with your hands, mix thoroughly to combine well.

  2. Add your remaining flour in bits till a soft dough is formed.

  3. On a lightly floured work surface, knead your dough for about 5-8minutes. Then, add your teaspoon of olive oil in the bowl to oil it, return the kneaded dough to the bowl and cover with a kitchen towel or wrap to rise or double in size for about 2 hours. 

  4. After doubling in size, punch down to deflate. Divide the dough into 8 pieces and cover so it doesn’t dry out. Allow to rest for about 15 minutes.

  5. Place a non stick pan on medium heat then with the aid of a rolling pin, roll out a piece of the dough to the thickness preferable. 

  6. Place the flatbread on the non stick pan, allow to bubble, flip to the other side and cook till both sides are golden brown. Repeat the process till all the dough is exhausted.

Now we have everything set, let's put everything together in one piece and make a delicious Shawarma.

Chicken Shawarma Recipe

Recipe by Fitnigerian

This recipe is the standard way of making Nigerian Shawarma.

4.8 Star Rating

Nigerian Shawarma Recipe

Category:
Snack

Method:
Fried

Cuisine:
Nigerian

Serves
1 people

Prep Time
2 Hour

Total Time
2H 10 Min

Ingredients:
  • 250g of chicken breast or thighs, boneless
  • 1½ of garlic cloves, minced
  • 1½ tablespoons of olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon of ground coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon of all spice powder
  • ½ teaspoon of chilli powder / paprika
  • ⅛ teaspoon of cinnamon powder
  • Salt, as needed
  • ⅛ teaspoon of black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of Greek yoghurt
  • ½ teaspoon of lemon juice
Ingredients For The filling:
  • 1 tomato, deseeded
  • 1 onion, cut in layers
  • Lettuce, as needed
  • Shawarma bread
Ingredients For The Shawarma Sauce:
  • 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons of ketchup
  • Red chilli flakes/ cayenne pepper, as needed (optional).
Directions: 
  1. 1
    Cut your chicken thighs and breast in pieces.
  2. 2
    Prepare your marinade by adding the following ingredients into a bowl: minced garlic, olive oil, ground coriander, all spice powder, paprika, cinnamon powder, black pepper, Greek yoghurt, lemon juice and salt as needed. Mix well to form a thick paste.
  3. 3
    Add your chicken and marinate well. Cover or transfer to a ziplock bag and refrigerate for about 12hours or overnight.
  4. 4
    Proceed to grill your marinated chicken either in an oven, with the aid of a grill pan or a non stick pan.

    - If using a non stick pan, with ½ tablespoon of oil on medium heat, place your pieces of chicken without overcrowding. Flip both sides till evenly cooked.
    --------OR--------
    - If using an oven, preheat the oven to 425F, place your chicken pieces on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake for 25-30minutes.
  5. 5
    On a non stick pan, grill and/or briefly heat up your deseeded tomatoes and sliced onions till slightly browned
  6. 6
    For the sauce: Prepare the Shawarma sauce by mixing ketchup, mayonnaise and a hint of cayenne pepper/ red chilli flakes as needed (optional).
  7. 7

    For the wrapping:


    Spread the sauce generously on the shawarma bread then place your lettuce. On the lettuce, arrange pieces of chicken, grilled tomatoes and onions then wrap.
    You can leave in the oven to keep warm or place the folded side on a bottom skillet or grill to brown. Remove from heat and ENJOY! 

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FAQ

Here are the frequently asked questions about shawarma:

How do you heat Shawarma?

Preheat the oven to 150C, place the shawarma on a baking tray on the middle shelf of the oven and heat for 35 minutes.

How long can Shawarma last?

Shawarma is best eaten in a 24 hours time frame but can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. The earlier consumed the better.

What are Shawarma bread called?

Shawarma bread is called flat bread generally, however, other countries have a different name for it with probably a method unique to these countries. In Greece, it’s called “Pita”, called tortilla in Mexico, called Naan bread in India etc. Simple put, all these names are used to describe Shawarma bread.

Summary

Nigerian Shawarma Recipe (Complete & Easy) - FitNigerian

Searching for Nigerian Shawarma Recipe? 

Type: Main course

Cuisine: Nigerian

Recipe Yield: 4 servings

Preparation Time: PT10M

Cooking Time: PT20M

Total Time: PT30M

Recipe Ingredients:

  • Rice
  • Mixed vegetables
  • Curry powder
  • Oil
  • Thyme
  • onion
  • White pepper
  • Seasoning cube
  • Salt
  • Bay Leaf
  • Beef liver

Editor's Rating:
4.7

Your Turn

Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions, additions or comments.

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    1. Hello Sophia,
      Unfortunately, the sharwama cream only keeps for a day after being mixed together, so it’s advisable that you don’t mix if you’re not ready to use immediately.

      Reply

    1. The onions can be cut in ring shapes, cut vertically or anyway you prefer.

      You can decide to omit it as well if you’re not a fan of onions.

      Reply
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