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In Krista's Kitchen//delicious meals and baked goods

In Krista's Kitchen//delicious meals and baked goods

Easy delicious family friendly meals and baked goods

Home / Dinner / Homemade Chicken Shawarma Recipe

Homemade Chicken Shawarma Recipe

Dinner

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This homemade Chicken Shawarma recipe is one of my all time favorites! It has so much flavor. Shawarma spiced chicken thighs on a warm pita topped with homemade Schug, tzatziki, tomato, red onion, cucumber and kalamata olives.

Chicken shawarma on a pita topped with schug, tzatziki, red onion, tomato, cucumber, feta and kalamata olives.

I like to make up a batch of shawarma seasoning then have it on hand for whenever I need it. It makes things quick and easy.

Homemade chicken shawarma works for a crowd as well as weeknight dinner with the fam. It will be an instant favorite.

If you’re into the flavors in this chicken shawarma recipe then you’ll fall in love with my Falafel Pita too. It’s essentially the vegetarian version of this dish.

Table of Contents

  • What is Chicken Shawarma?
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Chicken Shawarma
  • How to Serve Chicken Shawarma
  • FAQ
  • Chicken Shawarma
    • Equipment
    • Ingredients  1x2x3x
      • Chicken Shawarma
      • Tzatziki Sauce
      • Schug Sauce
      • Pita and Toppings
    • Instructions 
      • Marinating the Chicken
      • Make the Tzatziki
      • Make the Schug
      • Toppings and Pita
    • Notes
    • Nutrition

What is Chicken Shawarma?

Chicken Shawarma is a popular street food dish from the Middle East. It is well seasoned chicken that gets slow cooked on a rotisserie spit. It is shaved in thin slices from the vertical rotisserie then served on a pita, wrap or a plate with sides.

It’s then topped with a variety of different fresh toppings.

This recipe for Chicken Shawarma is cooked in the oven on a sheet tray to simplify things. Not everyone has a vertical rotisserie on hand. I use some traditional toppings and some not so traditional in my version of this recipe.

If you’re looking for more detailed information on where the recipe for chicken shawarma came from, this article has more detail.

Three pitas topped with chicken, cucumber sauce, schug, cucumber, tomato and red onion.

Ingredients

  • Chicken Thighs
  • Kosher Salt
  • Sweet Paprika
  • Cumin
  • Coriander
  • Cinnamon
  • Crushed Red Pepper
  • Black Pepper
  • Garlic Cloves
  • Lemon Juice
  • Greek Yogurt
  • English Cucumber
  • Fresh Dill
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Caraway Seeds
  • Cilantro
  • Parsley
  • Jalapenos
  • Ground Cardamom
  • Olive Oil
  • Pitas
  • Tomatoes
  • Kalamata Olives
  • Red Onion
  • Feta Cheese
Spiced chicken thighs, pitas, cilantro, parsley, garlic cloves, oil, red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, yogurt, dill, lemon juice, spices and kalamata olives.

How to Make Chicken Shawarma

  • Step 1 – Mix shawarma spices, fresh garlic and lemon juice together in a medium bowl. Add the chicken thighs, toss to coat, cover then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes but up to 24 hours.
  • Step 2 – Preheat the oven to 400°F, roast chicken thighs on a parchment lined sheet tray for 20-25 minutes, until they reach 160°F. Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes then slice.
    • Step 3 – While the chicken is cooking, whisk all tzatziki sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside until needed.
    Tzatziki sauce mixed up in a medium bowl.
    • Step 4 – Make schug sauce while chicken cooks. Add all schug ingredients to food processor then blend until mixture comes together but still has small chunks. Similar to a chimichurri.
    • Step 5 – Warm the pitas, add sliced chicken, tzatziki sauce, schug, red onion, cucumber, tomato, olive and feta cheese. Serve immediately.
    Chicken shawarma on a pita topped with schug, tzatziki, red onion, tomato, cucumber, feta and kalamata olives.

    How to Serve Chicken Shawarma

    Typically I eat my chicken shawarma on a pita but it can be served many different ways. Here are a few other ways I like to serve it:

    • Over Rice – You can use all the same ingredients and just swap out the pita for rice. Chicken Shawarma Bowls are just as delicious and gluten free.
    • In a Wrap – If you don’t have pita then you can use a tortilla for a wrap.
    • With Naan – Sometimes I use naan instead of pita.
    • Over Greens – Swap out the tortilla for a bed of greens and make yourself a chicken shawarma salad.
    Chicken shawarma on a pita, topped with sauces and veggies.

    FAQ

    Can you make this recipe for chicken shawarma in advance?

    Chicken shawarma is best served fresh and warm. Although, you can definitely save the leftovers and either use them cold on a salad or reheat them and use them on a pita, wrap or rice bowl.

    How do you store chicken shawarma?

    If you have leftover chicken then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It can be eaten cold or reheated in the microwave or briefly in the oven.

    What do you eat chicken shawarma with?

    I often eat this chicken shawarma recipe with tabbouleh, Greek cucumber salad, fattoush, roasted veggies or a quinoa salad. Lemon cumin rice goes with this dish as well.

    Is it healthy?

    This is debatable. What certain people think is healthy may not be healthy for others. I think it lands somewhere in the middle because it is a good source for protein, veggies, and nutrients.

    Is chicken shawarma spicy?

    The chicken and seasoning itself isn’t very spicy. The schug sauce, however, is very spicy. It adds a lovely kick to the dish.

    What is on a chicken shawarma?

    There are a variety of items that can be added inside a shawarma. This recipe for chicken shawarma has schug sauce, tzatziki, red onion, tomato, cucumber, olive and feta. More traditional items include hummus, pickles, tahini and fresh toppings.

    Chicken shawarma on a pita, topped with sauces and veggies.

    Chicken Shawarma

    Krista Stechman
    Shawarma spiced chicken on pita with tomato, onion, olive, feta, schug sauce and tzatziki.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 25 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course dinner
    Cuisine middle eastern
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 614 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 food processor
    • 1 set of mixing bowls
    • 1 sheet pan
    • 1 griddle pan or large skillet
    • 1 sharp knife
    • 1 cutting board

    Ingredients
      

    Chicken Shawarma

    • 1¼ tsp kosher salt I use Diamond Crystal
    • 1 tbsp sweet paprika
    • 1 tbsp cumin
    • 1 tsp coriander
    • 1¼ tsp cinnamon
    • 1 tsp crushed red pepper
    • ½ tsp black pepper
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 2 tsp lemon juice
    • 4 6oz boneless skinless chicken thighs 24oz total

    Tzatziki Sauce

    • 1 cups plain Greek yogurt
    • 1 cup english cucumber shredded, drained in a towel
    • 1 tbsp fresh dill rough chop
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
    • 1 tsp red wine vinegar
    • ½ tsp kosher salt Diamond Crystal

    Schug Sauce

    • ½ tsp caraway seeds toasted
    • 1½ cups cilantro rough chop
    • 1 cup parsley rough chop
    • 5 fresh jalapenos rough chop
    • 6 cloves garlic peeled and rough chop
    • 1 tsp kosher salt
    • ½ tsp cumin
    • ⅛ tsp cardamom
    • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
    • ¾ cup olive oil

    Pita and Toppings

    • 4 pitas griddled
    • 1 vine ripened tomato sliced
    • ¼ red onion thinly sliced
    • 1 english cucumber thinly sliced into rounds
    • 4 oz feta cheese crumbled
    • ½ cup kalamata olives

    Instructions
     

    Marinating the Chicken

    • Mix all spices, garlic and lemon juice together in a medium bowl. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours
    • Preheat the oven to 400°F when ready to make chicken. Roast for 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches 160°F
    • Remove from the oven and let rest 5-10 minutes. Slice chicken for serving

    Make the Tzatziki

    • Whisk all tzatziki ingredients together in a medium bowl. Set aside until needed

    Make the Schug

    • Add all schug ingredients to a food processor and blend until combined. Sauce should be partially smooth with small chunks

    Toppings and Pita

    • Slice the toppings while chicken is cooking
    • Once the chicken is out of the oven, warm the pitas on a griddle pan or large skillet with a small amount of oil
    • Add the chicken, tzatziki, schug and toppings to the pita and serve warm

    Notes

    Chicken can marinate for 30 minutes up to 24 hours. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 614kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 20gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 2545mgPotassium: 621mgFiber: 6gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 3494IUVitamin C: 57mgCalcium: 376mgIron: 5mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    February 20, 2023 · 2 Comments

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    Recipe Rating




    Comments

    1. Star says

      March 22, 2023 at 9:36 am

      5 stars
      This was incredible!!!! The flavors were everything. thank you!

      Reply
      • admin says

        March 22, 2023 at 11:51 am

        Oh my gosh, one of my favorites!!

        Reply

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    My name is Krista Stechman. I’m a chef, food photographer and the mama of 2 gorgeous girls. Food has always been at the center of my life and  cooking is a way for me to show and share my love!

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