Chicken Shawarma Spice

A shawarma blend of paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cloves and cinnamon. It smells smoky and sweet-spiced at once, paprika and cinnamon leading, and the cayenne heat arrives late and mild.

Paprika lends depth and colour, cumin a hearty warmth, and cayenne a lively heat balanced by the sweet zing of ginger and the earthy glow of turmeric. Coriander adds gentle citrusy freshness, while cloves and cinnamon give the sweet-spicy complexity that defines the flavour.

How to use it

Rub it into chicken for grilling, roasting or pan-searing, using about a tablespoon per 500g. It is at its best in a wet marinade: mix the spice with yoghurt, garlic, lemon juice and oil and leave the chicken in it for at least four hours. Technique tip: cook shawarma-spiced chicken hot and fast, so the sugars in the paprika and cinnamon caramelise into the dark edges that make the dish, rather than steaming pale in a crowded pan.

The shaker jar

The jar option is packed in a clear 8 oz shaker jar made from lightweight, food-safe PET, so the colour and texture of the blend are visible at a glance. The flip-top cap opens to a three-hole sifter for an even sprinkle straight over the pan, the grill or the plate, and closes again with a simple press. A pressure-sensitive liner seals the jar until first use, and the fitted cap keeps the blend fresh between uses. When a recipe calls for a measured spoonful, simply unscrew the cap; the wide mouth takes a teaspoon with ease. Once empty, the jar is easy to refill with your next Ameen blend and makes a practical home for dried herbs, chilli flakes, sesame seeds or homemade rubs. Hand wash only.

Details

Also known as

Shawarma Seasoning, Middle Eastern Chicken Spice, Signature Shawarma Blend, Arabian Chicken Shawarma Spice