Chicken Shawarma with Moroccan Houmous and Chilli Sauce
Chicken shawarma is a fragrant Middle Eastern main course featuring marinated chicken thighs rubbed with smoked paprika, cumin and turmeric, served with creamy Moroccan houmous and a fiery chilli sauce. The Thermomix grinds the spices, blends the chickpeas and mixes the marinade in one bowl, delivering authentic street-food flavour at home.
About this recipe
Chicken shawarma Thermomix TM7 style brings the beloved Middle Eastern street-food classic straight into your kitchen. If you have been searching for shawarma recipes for your all-in-one kitchen machine, this version delivers three elements in one session: spice-marinated chicken thighs, a silky Moroccan houmous and a fiery chilli sauce. The TM7 grinds cumin and coriander seeds fresh, so the smoked paprika and turmeric rub tastes far more vibrant than any store-bought blend. Boneless chicken thighs absorb the marinade deeply, then cook to juicy, golden-edged perfection. Meanwhile the chickpeas, tahini and lemon juice blend into a houmous so creamy your guests will ask which delicatessen made it. The chilli sauce, built on dried chilli flakes, garlic and cayenne, adds a smoky heat that cuts through the richness. Serve everything folded into warm flatbreads for a quick weeknight dinner or a relaxed weekend feast that feels genuinely festive.
Preparation tips
- Tip 1: Pat the chicken thighs thoroughly dry before adding them to the spice marinade; drier meat absorbs the smoked paprika and cumin rub better and develops a more aromatic crust in the pan.
- Tip 2: Blend the houmous while the chickpeas are still warm, as they break down into a noticeably silkier texture than cold ones; add a splash of the reserved liquid to loosen it gradually.
- Tip 3: For a milder family version, halve the cayenne pepper and chilli flakes in the sauce, or serve the chilli sauce separately so everyone can season their own shawarma wrap.
Recipe variations
- Variation 1: Make it fully vegetarian by replacing the chicken thighs with thick cauliflower steaks or halloumi slices brushed with the same smoked paprika and cumin marinade before grilling.
- Variation 2: A festive summer variant swaps the flatbreads for crisp lettuce cups and adds a cooling yogurt-cucumber dollop alongside the chilli sauce, turning the shawarma into light party finger food.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Grinding - The TM7 grinds whole cumin and coriander seeds into a fresh shawarma rub, far more aromatic than pre-ground spices. [Multi-Function]
- Mixing - The Thermomix blends chickpeas, tahini and lemon juice into a velvety Moroccan houmous without a single lump. [Time savings]. [Time Savings]
- Chopping - The TM7 chops the garlic cloves and chilli flakes finely so the sauce coats the chicken evenly without bitter chunks. [Hands-free]. [Hands-Free]
- Weighing - The built-in scale of the Thermomix weighs the marinade ingredients directly into the bowl, saving separate measuring cups. [Built-in scale]. [Built-in Scale]
- Heating - The Thermomix warms the chilli sauce at controlled low heat, developing smoky depth without scorching the paprika. [Temperature control]. [Precision Control]
Ingredients
- chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- garlic cloves
- smoked paprika
- cayenne pepper
- ground cumin
- ground turmeric
- ground cinnamon
- lemon
- fine sea salt
- olive oil