Chicken Shawarma Recipe (2024)

Chicken Shawarma Recipe (1)

In This Article

  • The Best Homemade Chicken Shawarma
  • Watch Chicken Shawarma in Action
  • How to make irresistible chicken shawarma
  • Key Ingredients
  • Pro Tips for the best chicken shawarma
  • Chicken ShawarmaCommonly Asked Questions
  • More to Cook and Eat

The Best Homemade Chicken Shawarma

This chicken shawarma fascination might have started with my first dreamy bite at our local Middle Eastern restaurant. That adoration was further was cemented with the amazing Mediterranean street food I sunk deeply into while eating my way through NYC.

Chicken Shawarma became an irrevocable obsession with the realization that I could recreate similar flavors at home. With only the ingredients we love and want; nothing else. And it wasn’t even hard.

I’m not sure how it started precisely, but it’s here to stay: my undeniable infatuation with healthy, tender, ultra flavorful chicken shawarma.

This is a contagious kind of shawarma fondness, as the rest of my family and food-loving friends can’t seem to get enough of this chicken shawarma recipe, which has since been frequently shared and re-shared.

Watch Chicken Shawarma in Action

How to make irresistible chicken shawarma

Chicken Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish that’s loaded with aromatic spices that make your mouth water. Traditionally, shawarma consists of paper-thin slices of meat from a vertical rotating slow-roaster. The result is a deliciously tender, flavorful plate of chicken, beef, or other protein.

Wild guess: most of us don’t own a monster-sized rotating spit at home. Despite that tidbit, you can absolutely make tantalizing homemade chicken shawarma. All you need is a great dry rub for your chicken to marinade in, an oven that reaches 400F and doubles as a broiler for the great finish.

Chicken Shawarma Recipe (2)
Chicken Shawarma Recipe (3)
Chicken Shawarma Recipe (4)
Chicken Shawarma Recipe (5)

Key Ingredients

  • Chicken thighs are essential here; boneless, skinless thighs are your friend when it comes to tender and flavorful shawarma
  • Extra-virgin olive oil is used to bind seasonings to the chicken. You can opt to use a bit more oil if needed, but don’t omit it
  • Dry rub seasonings are what makes all the difference in this chicken shawarma’s big bold flavors. As always, use the freshest seasonings/spices because you probably already know that the older those pantry spices are, they less flavor they hold.
  • Smoked paprika, cumin, allspice, cayenne, garlic and onion powders, ground tumeric, and cinnamon are all included in this powerhouse dry rub mixture. Skip nothing, if at all possible, as each spice adds its own unique flavor profile to the finished dish.
Chicken Shawarma Recipe (6)
Chicken Shawarma Recipe (7)

Pro Tips for the best chicken shawarma

Giant cone-shaped spit aside, we home cooks can still make some outrageously rockin’chicken shawarma at home.

  • Even if you’re normally a die-hard white meat cooker, go with chicken thighs here. Skinless, boneless chicken thighs are actually quite lean and turn out so much more tender (translation: they’re harder to mess up.)
  • Rest the chicken in an aromatic dry rub marinade at least 3-4 hours, preferably overnight in fridge.
  • Speaking of which, double check that all your spices/seasonings are fresh and haven’t lost their zing.
  • Be sure the oven is well preheated to 400F when ready to cook. Use the preheat time to let your chicken come close to room temperature. Better results will happen if your chicken isn’t super cold. Roast the chicken in a single layer for even browning.
  • Slice just-cooked chicken as thinly as you can, arrange slices in a single layer on sheet pan, and broil to perfection.

Note: Using the grill or skillet for cooking chicken is always an option, but oven-roasting is by far the easiest.

Chicken Shawarma Recipe (8)

Chicken Shawarma
Commonly Asked Questions

What ethnicity of food is Chicken Shawarma?

Chicken Shawarma is a Levantine Arab method of cooking meat. Thin shavings are cut off a large block of meat. Because most home cooks don’t have access to machinery used by restaurants, we achieve a similar effect by thinly slicing with an ultra sharp knife.

Is Chicken Shawarma healthy?

We definitely include chicken shawarma as part of a healthy diet. Lean, skinless chicken, olive oil, and plenty of fresh spices means this dish is both nutritious and delicious.

Can I meal prep Chicken Shawarma?

Absolutely. Chicken Shawarma is excellent for meal prepping, as it keeps well in the fridge, and can be served up multiple ways throughout the week. Try it with rice, salad, or pita.

Why do I have to towel-dry the raw chicken pieces?

This part is actually imperative for nicely browned chicken. If excess moisture is not removed from the surface of chicken pieces, they’ll tend to steam in the oven, rather than brown.

More to Cook and Eat

  • Chicken Tinga Tacos (Meal Prep, Freezer Friendly) – perfect for making big batches at the beginning of the week. Chicken tinga isn’t only for tacos; try it over salad or make it into a rice bowl.
  • Chicken Tikka Masala – How to Make This Restaurant Dish At Home – Oh, yes. This fragrant, saucy Indian chicken dish can easily be made right at home.
  • Easy, Healthy Orange Chicken (One Pan Technique) – this popular take-out dish is made healthier at home, and is full of big flavors.
  • Grilled Teriyaki Chicken – this is hands-down our favorite way to cook and eat teriyaki chicken. It’s genuinely better than restaurants; you’ll forever be making your own teriyaki once you try this.

Did you make this?

Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!

Chicken Shawarma Recipe (9)

Chicken Shawarma (Easy & Healthy)

5 from 204 ratings

This Easy, Healthy Chicken Shawarma is waist-friendly and incredibly scrumptious! It’s a hit every time we serve up this flavorful dish.

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 25 minutes mins

Total Time: 35 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk together all the spices to combine well. Add 2 TB olive oil and mix into a paste. Set aside.

    Chicken Shawarma Recipe (10)

  • Thoroughly towel-dry the boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Slice each thigh into quarters, and coat with 1 TB olive oil. Add chicken into the bowl with marinade. Use tongs or clean hands to thoroughly coat all pieces of chicken evenly, on all sides. Cover tightly with cling wrap and chill overnight (at least 3-4 hours.)

    Chicken Shawarma Recipe (11)

  • Let chicken come to room temp as you preheat oven to 400F, with rack on upper middle position. Once oven is heated, place chicken pieces in a single layer on a large, foil-lined baking sheet. Take care not to overlap or overcrowd the pieces. Roast 15 min or until just cooked.

    Chicken Shawarma Recipe (12)

  • Let chicken cool enough to handle. Slice all chicken into thin slices. Place back onto the baking sheet in an even layer. Broil on high for 7-10 minutes or until edges are nicely browned. Serve immediately with pita bread, basmati rice, or green salad.

    Chicken Shawarma Recipe (13)

Notes

  • Chicken thighs are highly recommended in this recipe, as it’s much more forgiving and stays tender even if slightly over-cooked. If you prefer to use chicken breasts, you may need to cook a bit less time to avoid the meat becoming dry.
  • Chicken Shawarma can be served bowl-style with basmati rice and your choice of toppings, or wrapped in a pita with toppings. It’s delicious with garlic hummus and any Mediterranean style salad. Garnish ideas include cilantro, red onions, or pickles.

If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating 🙂

Click here to add your own private notes.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 2.2g | Protein: 42.9g | Fat: 7.6g | Saturated Fat: 1.4g | Cholesterol: 137.9mg | Sodium: 294.3mg | Fiber: 0.8g | Sugar: 0.2g

Course: Dinner, Main

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Diet: Gluten Free, Halal, Low Calorie, Low Lactose

Method: baking, Oven

Chicken Shawarma Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is shawarma marinade made of? ›

Ingredients
  • 2 pounds flap steak.
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil.
  • 1 1/2 large lemon, juiced.
  • 2 tablespoons allspice.
  • 1 tablespoon coriander.
  • 1 tablespoon paprika.
  • 1 tablespoon cumin.
  • 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons salt, to taste.

What is shawarma sauce made of? ›

Traditional Tahini Sauce or Tarator

Authentic beef shawarma however is always served with a tahini sauce, and not toum. This tahini sauce is often referred to as "tarator" in Lebanon and other Levant countries. Its simply made by whisking together tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper.

What does chicken shawarma contain? ›

The chicken, lettuce, tomato slices, onion, yogurt sauce and warmed flatbreads – homemade or store bought. If the chicken is on the larger side, I sometimes slice it. But if they are smaller, I tend to just leave them whole.

What is traditional shawarma made of? ›

shawarma, popular street food in the Middle East, which originated in Turkey and is made of spit-roasted layers of lamb, beef, or other meat that are sliced and often wrapped in or served with pita. Shawarma is similar to Greek gyros, though the former is seasoned with more spices and the latter with more herbs.

What are the 3 most common foods put in the shawarma? ›

Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern dish that originated in the Ottaman Empire, consisting of meat cut into slices , stacked in an and roasted on a slowly turning vertical rotisserie or spit. Traditionally made from lamb or mutton ,it may also be made with chicken , turkey, beef or veal.

What makes shawarma taste like shawarma? ›

Shawarma is traditionally seasoned with spices like cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, and paprika to create a sweet-spiced, warm, and earthy flavor profile in the roasted meat.

What is unhealthy in shawarma? ›

The fatty meats used in shawarma are often high in saturated fats, which can lead to heart problems if consumed in excess. For these reasons, it is important to enjoy shawarma in moderation.” “Shawarma is very high in sodium, which may make it bad for heart health.

What is traditionally on a shawarma? ›

Meat (traditionally lamb or mutton, but also chicken, turkey, beef, or veal); pita, laffa, lavash, or any other suitable bread for a wrap; chopped or shredded vegetables; assorted condiments. Similar dishes. Döner kebab, İskender kebap, gyros, al pastor.

What is shawarma vs gyro? ›

While gyros usually come with the same combo of lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, shawarmas are often topped with a medley of pickled fruits and veggies. Shawarma is a predecessor to tacos al pastor, a Mexican dish made of spit-grilled pork. The method likely made its way to Mexico via Lebanese immigrants.

What is shawarma called in USA? ›

When people in America hear the term shawarma, they think of gyro, and while gyro is prepared the same way as shawarma, it is not created using the same kind of meats. Gyro is made with ground meat, lamb, beef, or goat. It is also served with tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and tzatziki.

What kind of bread is used for shawarma? ›

Middle Eastern chicken shawarma is a delicious pita sandwich recipe made with thinly sliced seasoned chicken, veggies, and sauce wrapped in a pita bread. Shawarma is the ultimate on-the-go meal.

What to eat with chicken shawarma? ›

The best side dishes to serve with chicken shawarma are french fries, pita bread, tzatziki, hummus, yellow rice, garden salad, guacamole, pickled vegetables, onion rings, baba ganoush, couscous salad, roasted red peppers, fattoush, garlic bread, falafel, and grilled halloumi cheese.

What is the difference between gyro and shawarma seasoning? ›

Shawarma is from the Middle East, and is seasoned with cumin, coriander, and turmeric, while Gyro, a Greek dish, is flavored with more Mediterranean rosemary, thyme, and marjoram.

Why does chicken shawarma taste so good? ›

Flavorful Seasonings: Shawarma is typically made with a combination of aromatic spices, including cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and garlic, which create a rich and complex flavor profile. The seasonings are what give shawarma its distinct and delicious taste.

Why does shawarma taste so good? ›

People love shawarma because of how meaty it is while still being a healthy food to eat. The way the meat is grilled indeed added to that undeniably great taste. Moreover, it contains various vegetables and sauces and can be eaten in multiple ways. That gives people its authentic taste and unique experience.

What makes shawarma taste good? ›

The distinctive flavor of shawarma spice comes from its main ingredients, including ground cumin, coriander, and black pepper. Other additions include cinnamon, cloves, allspice and dried mint. In some recipes, you'll also find nutmeg and cardamom.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Horacio Brakus JD

Last Updated:

Views: 6246

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Horacio Brakus JD

Birthday: 1999-08-21

Address: Apt. 524 43384 Minnie Prairie, South Edda, MA 62804

Phone: +5931039998219

Job: Sales Strategist

Hobby: Sculling, Kitesurfing, Orienteering, Painting, Computer programming, Creative writing, Scuba diving

Introduction: My name is Horacio Brakus JD, I am a lively, splendid, jolly, vivacious, vast, cheerful, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.