In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the marinade, including the chicken, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, sumac, Aleppo pepper flakes, allspice, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, and kosher salt. Use your hands to toss everything around until the chicken is well coated in the marinade. This is where the magic begins!
Once the chicken is nicely coated, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate it. Let it marinate for at least 20 minutes; however, if you have time, letting it marinate for up to 1 hour will deepen the flavors even further.
While the chicken is marinating, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. This step is crucial for ensuring the perfect cooking environment for your chicken.
After the marination time, transfer the chicken (including all the marinade) to a foil-lined baking sheet or a casserole dish. Make sure the chicken is spread out evenly to ensure consistent cooking.
Now it’s time to bake! Place the chicken in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Keep an eye on it; you want it to be cooked through but still juicy.
For that perfect crispy finish, increase the oven heat to 425 degrees F and bake for an additional 8 to 10 minutes. This will give your chicken a gorgeous golden-brown color and a crispy exterior.
Once your chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it sit for about 10 minutes before slicing. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, making for a succulent bite.
While the chicken is resting, let’s make the magic tahini sauce! In a small blender, add all the ingredients for the sauce, including tahini, water, lemon juice, olive oil, and remaining cilantro, parsley, and mint.
Blend everything until smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust the flavor as needed, adding more lemon juice or sea salt to achieve your desired taste. This sauce is what elevates the dish to a whole new level!
Finally, slice the chicken and serve it warm, drizzled with the tahini sauce and garnished with extra chopped herbs. Enjoy your homemade Easy Chicken Shawarma!
