This Chicken Shawarma recipe is going to knock your socks off! Just a handful of every day spices makes an incredible Chicken Shawarma marinade that infuses the chicken with exotic Middle Eastern flavours. The smell when this is cooking is insane!
This is a reader-favourite recipe included by popular demand in my debut cookbook “Dinner”!
Chicken Shawarma
This is one of my signature recipes that will be very familiar to all my friends because I make this so often. It’s off the charts for effort vs output: just a handful of everyday spices, garlic, a splash of lemon and olive oil transforms into the most incredible flavour.
When this chicken is cooking, the smell is incredible. In fact, it’s how I met most of my neighbours when I lived in a townhouse complex, random people I had never met before popping their head over the fence wanting to know what on earth I was making. They were elated when I handed out samples!
What is Chicken Shawarma, actually??
Shawarma is a popular dish originating from the Middle East. It’s a popular street food that is traditionally made in the form of spiced meats that are stacked on a vertical rotisserie with thin slices shaved off as it rotates. But don’t worry! We can cook our horizontally in a good old pan or on the BBQ!
Shawarma was traditionally made with lamb, mutton and chicken though these days you see it with beef too. It’s commonly served in the form of a wrap, though in some countries you see it served on plates with sides such as seasoned rice or fries, and salads. In this recipe, I’m giving you both options!
Ingredients in Chicken Shawarma
Here’s what you need to make Chicken Shawarma. I’m betting you have most if not all of the spices in your pantry already!
Chicken – I like to make Shawarma with boneless, skinless thighs as its juicier than breast. But chicken breast and tenderloin both work great.
Lemon juice – Fresh!
Olive oil – For a touch of flavour but also to dilute the lemon juice so it doesn’t “cook” the chicken (like we intentionally do with ceviche!).
Spices – Nothing out of the ordinary here! The only one you might not have in stock is cardamom, though these days its easily found at any grocery store. It has a piney, sort of citrusy flavour and it is a key ingredient that distinguishes the Shawarma marinade from other cuisines, such as Mexican, that regularly uses the other spices used in this recipe. In short, don’t skip it!
Spice control – The spiciness in the Shawarma marinade comes from the cayenne pepper. It’s not a key element of the flavour so if you don’t want it spicy, either reduce or eliminate it altogether. I promise you won’t feel robbed. Lots of other flavours going on in this dish!
Sauce options for Shawarma
Shawarma is traditionally served with either a tahini sauce (common in Israel) or a Yogurt Sauce. If you’d like to use a tahini sauce, use the one in this Roasted Broccolini recipe.
For a Lemon Yogurt Sauce, here’s what you need:
How to make Chicken Shawarma
For the best results, it’s best to marinate the chicken overnight. But to be honest, the volume and flavour of the marinade is intense enough that you can get away with a minimum of 3 hours of marinating. Been there, done that plenty of times, and nobody has complained!
Mix marinade – For convenience, just mix the marinade directly in a ziplock bag. A bag works best because the chicken remains nicely coated in the marinade. If you prefer to use a container, either turn the chicken a few times or increase the marinade by 50%.
Add chicken into the marinade. Seal the bag, removing excess air, then massage to coat from the outside. Leave to marinade for 12 to 24 hours in the fridge. If you’re pressed for time, even 3 hours will do!
Yogurt sauce – Make the yogurt sauce simply by mixing the ingredients then set aside for at least 20 minutes to let the flavours meld. This will keep for 3 days in the fridge.
Cook chicken either on the stove or on the BBQ. It will get a great crust on it from the spices, and you will adore the smell. It’s intoxicating!
Rest chicken for at least 3 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the flesh, else they will just run out everywhere when you slice the meat.
To serve, just pile everything on a platter and let everybody make their own wraps! 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.
How to Serve Chicken Shawarma
There are two main ways to serve Chicken Shawarma.
Wraps – As Chicken Shawarma wraps (like Gyros and Doner kebabs), with tomato, lettuce, and a simple yoghurt sauce on the side. Other optional extras include: red onion, cheese (query authenticity? But that’s ok!!), hummus, hot sauce / chilli sauce.
Shawarma plate – With rice and salads on the side. Thought I usually do serve pita bread or another type of flatbread as well, with a big dollop of either Hummus or the Yogurt Sauce in this recipe, just because it’s very on theme. ☺️
Below, the Chicken Shawarma is pictured with Mejadra which is a Middle Eastern lentil rice (seriously so good you can / will want to eat it just by itself!) and a Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad (I skip the spicing of chickpeas otherwise there’s just too much kapow spices going on).
A few other things that would be very much at home alongside Chicken Shawarma:
Juicy Greek Salad – the flavours in Greek salad pair really well with Middle Eastern food
The spread below features the Chickpea Salad referred to above and Mejadra, the lentil spiced rice.
Great food for gatherings
This Chicken Shawarma, along with the Vietnamese Noodles with Lemongrass Chicken, are two of my most frequently made foods when I’m cooking for a crowd because it’s easy to make loads, they are both great “lay it all out and let everyone serve themselves” type foods (I’m a big fan of food like that), and it travels well. I’ve made this multiple times on camping trips (along with the Vietnamese Noodles and Greek Gyros!).
It was also part of a 7 course Arabian Feast menu that I shared way back when I first published this recipe in 2015. I still haven’t gotten around to perking up all the recipes with fresh new photos, but I will one day! I love that menu because so much of it can be prepared ahead, and there’s lots of common ingredients.
Be prepared for the amazing smells when you’re cooking this Chicken Shawarma! – Nagi xx
Watch how to make it
This recipe features in my debut cookbook Dinner. The book is mostly new recipes, but this is a reader favourite included by popular demand!
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Chicken Shawarma (Middle Eastern)
Ingredients
- 1 kg / 2 lb chicken thigh fillets , skinless and boneless (Note 3)
Marinade
- 1 large garlic clove , minced (or 2 small cloves)
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp ground cardamon
- 1 tsp ground cayenne pepper (reduce to 1/2 tsp to make it not spicy)
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- Black pepper
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Yoghurt Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yoghurt
- 1 clove garlic , crushed
- 1 tsp cumin
- Squeeze of lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
To Serve
- 4 – 5 flatbreads (Lebanese or pita bread orhomemade soft flatbreads)
- Sliced lettuce (cos or iceberg)
- Tomato slices
- Red onion , finely sliced
- Cheese , shredded (optional)
- Hot sauce of choice (optional)
Instructions
- Marinade chicken – Combine the marinade ingredients in a large ziplock bag. Add the chicken, seal, the massage from the outside with your hands to make sure each piece is coated. Marinate 24 hours (minimum 3 hours).
- Yogurt Sauce – Combine the Yogurt Sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix. Cover and put in the fridge until required (it will last for 3 days in the fridge).
- Preheat stove or BBQ – Heat a large non-stick skillet with 1 tablespoon over medium high heat, or lightly brush a BBQ hotplate/grills with oil and heat to medium high. (See notes for baking)
- Cook chicken – Place chicken in the skillet or on the grill and cook the first side for 4 to 5 minutes until nicely charred. Turn and cook the other side for 3 to 4 minutes (the 2nd side takes less time).
- Rest – Remove chicken from the grill and cover loosely with foil. Set aside to rest for 5 minutes.
To Serve
- Slice chicken and pile onto platter alongside flatbreads, Salad and the Yoghurt Sauce (or dairy free Tahini sauce from this recipe).
- To make a wrap, get a piece of flatbread and smear with Yoghurt Sauce. Top with a bit of lettuce and tomato and Chicken Shawarma. Roll up and enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
* Chickpea Rice Pilaf– slightly less spiced than Mejadra
* Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad (a Yotam Ottolenghi recipe, skip the spicing of chickpeas to keep it fresher) Also see 7 Course Arabian Feast (summary below recipe) and above recipe card in post for lengthier list of side options. 5. BAKING: Cooking on a BBQ or stove is best to get the caramelisation. Baking doesn’t yield quite the same flavour – but still very good! Bake at 425F/220C for 20 – 25 minutes until a browned. 6. Nutrition for chicken only because flatbreads vary so much in size and calories.Assuming 6 servings.
Nutrition Information:
Originally published December 2014, updated with fresh photos and an improved recipe video!
Arabian Feast Menu
Here is a summary of the Arabian Feast Menu that I shared back in 2015. I haven’t updated all the recipes yet – I’ll get to them eventually!
To Nibble: Hummus, Herb Chili Feta, Chargrilled Vegetable Platter
For the Men to Grill: Lamb Koftas, Chicken Shawarma (this recipe)
Because we must have Greens: Shredded Red Cabbage Carrot Salad, Spiced Chickpea Salad
Life of Dozer
Throwback to Life of Dozer in 2015 when I first published this recipe – nothing has changed in the years that has passed!
This shot pretty much encompasses how utterly predictable Dozer is:
✅ Skulking near a big pile of meat
✅ Squeezing himself under a tiny table laden with said food
✅ Eyes sparkling at the possibilities
✅ Licking his lips in anticipation
Hi Nagi.
Made this for Australia Day dinner last night over coals on the Weber.
As my younger nephews and nieces were coming over, I skipped the cayenne pepper. Everyone, including the grandparents, loved it, as well as the Mejadra!
I added a few spoons of yoghurt and a decent spoon of peanut butter to the chicken marinade to help tenderise the meat overnight. Turned out beautifully!
Love your recipes – such great inspiration!
Mmmmm – cooked on the Weber – as Australian as you can get! I’m glad everyone enjoyed it Andrew! Thanks for letting me know! N x
Hi Nagi
Tried this recipe to day fur Australia Day…fantastic.
We wondered what it would be like to reduce the cayenne and add some green chilli at the end …
Served with the mejadra and a salad…mmmm??
Thank you again for your inspiration
Liz
I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it Elizabeth, thanks for letting me know! I just added a note to reduce the cayenne to 1/2 tsp if you don’t want it spicy. And YES to green chilli! Anything spicy I’m all go! 🙂 N x PS Mmmmm to Mejadra! What an Australia Day feast!
Nagi, thank you, that was just AMAZING!!! We just finished dinner and it was incredible. I love most of your recipes (that I have tried) but this one is just fantastic. I will have to make it a bit less spicy for my son, and I will cut down the sat to just half for my hubby’s sake, but the taste and mix of spices is great. It’s also a dead easy recipe, and your yogurt sauce was perfect. Going into regular rotation:-)
Thanks again. Your blog is one of just three cooking ones that I follow and use on a regular, almost daily basis.
I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it Beatrice, thanks for letting me know! I love this recipe too 🙂 N x
If you’d told me 2 years ago that I would be able to make this dish without having to go out to the supermarket, I would have laughed at you.
In fact, if you’d told me 2 years ago that I could make this dish and have confidence that the end results is as expected after looking at your photos, I would have laughed at you too.
But, here I am, 106 weeks into my cooking adventures, and this glorious recipe is on the dinner menu for next week and I can’t wait to eat this meal, and to make my colleagues jealous when I bring the leftovers in to work!
You’re amazing Gloria! I loved hearing your story 🙂 PS YES your colleagues are going to be uber jealous!!!
Sharwama is one of my most favourite things to eat – i can eat so much of it in one sitting its actually embarrassing. I can’t wait to try this recipe Nagi – all of your recipes I have tried turn out so delicious and become fast family favourites I am sure this one will join the ranks soon too!!
ME TOO! What is it with Shawarma?? Normally for dinner I’m satisfied with a 150g piece of protein but with shawarma, I can easily inhale double that!
Love this Type of Food. As kids we Had flat bread( home Made) a lot during winter. Am saving this menu, salads a good any time. YOU know what Im gone say now ha, ha life of Doza is soooo GORGES always makes me laugh. But Plate is in wron spot , should be front of him, Haa. We also have heatwave, unberable nights.I GET sick just can’t come with IT. Regards, Vera.
Oh I hear you Vera! The nights are horridly hot at the moment! 🙂 Glad to hear this is your type of food too!! N xx
Hi Nagi, Please let me know if I could bake the chicken. Thanks!
Hi Sam! Added a note 🙂 Baking doesn’t produce the same caramelisation but it’s still SUPER tasty!
Nagi – I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to discover your blog. I first came across it when I found your ebook for food photography which I just purchased. I have only quickly scrolled through the whole book and can tell you that it’s so informative and in laymans terms. I am out of town but can’t wait to get home to my camera! Your photography tips make me want to redo all of my photos and I can’t for my next food post.
This recipe looks delicious. I am American of Lebanese descent so I am partial to Lebanese food. The food is so flavorful! I am always amazed to see how popular it has become. When I was little, no one ever heard of our food. Now you see things like hummus in stores everywhere. Nothing like homemade though!
Thanks again for your great book and fabulous tips.
Elaine | OMG Lifestyle Blog
Wow what a compliment, thank you so much Elaine! I know exactly what you mean, when I first discovered Shawarma it was just when the internet was starting to “take out” way back around 2000. I was SO THRILLED to discover it! Now Middle Easter / Lebanese food is huge! Actually it’s always been really popular here in Australia, we have a big Lebanese community! And thank you for purchasing my book, I’m glad you’re enjoying it! N xx
When I toured Lebanon five years ago, I saw many tourists from Australia. That’s when I learned that their families had immigrated to Australia during the war and that Australia had a large Lebanese community. Up until then, I had no idea!
oops – just saw my typo. Meant to say can’t wait for my next food post and photography opp!
I bet this would be good as a wing marinade! I’m going to try that this weekend 😀
OOOH YESSSS!!!!
Oh laugh, I am not for letting the “boys ” take over BBQ cooking for some reason people think men who NEVER cook should suddenly be in charge of dinner. Oh that does sound awful but chicken on the Barbie with these flavours is too important to leave to chance……I
Ba ha ha! You crack me up Tania! <3 N x
I cook an awful lot of Middle Eastern both for flavour and health: one of the best in the Mediterranean world! Make chicken shish tawook as well as shawarma and mujadarrah, as you say, is rarely far 🙂 ! Or other healthy grains and a big salad! If one is uncertain how a dish should taste, in Australia at least, go to a good spice merchant and you can always buy those freshly mixed and then try to make your own . . .
I agree it is one of the best cuisines in the world! PS Enjoying more comfortable weather today! Love it!
I make this often as well, Nagi. In fact, I make a big batch of the spice mix so that I have it on hand. The flavors are fantastic, whether you grill or pan sauté the chicken. It’s one of our favorites.
I bet your spice mix is awesome!!! Is it similar to mine? 🙂
I mean I make YOUR spice mix to have! I probably tweak it a little, but it’s basically the same. ?
Great recipe. Can’t wait to try it. How would this work with chicken breast instead? Would I need to do anything differently to make sure the chicken is tender?
Hi Darren! Just added a note 3 for breast directions 🙂 Hope that helps! N xx
Brill, thanks for the update 🙂
My sister and I share your recipes each day when we have our morning phone chat. We just love you, Nagi,
You are a joy and an inspiration, with a heart as good as your food. Am going to try these recipes on this rainy California day. Many blessings!
Aww that’s so flattering to hear Katie! I’m so glad you and your sister enjoy my recipe, thank you for your lovely message! N xx
Every.Single.One of your recipes looks amazing! My mouth is watering and I am excited to try your flat bread recipe as well. I hope you have a terrific day! Meghan
Gosh thanks for the compliment Meghan! I do hope you try this – and LOVE IT!!! (Along with the flatbreads, OMG I love those flatbreads so much!)
These are my flavors and that video is killer. Love it!
This recipe has your name ALL OVER IT!
Nagi
I am eager to make this chicken shawarma recipe. Thank you so much.
Frank
Hope you do try it Frank! 🙂 N x
Wow, that looks so delicious I could almost smell the aroma. I got to get a few things and I am going to make this. asap. I just love your way of cooking. And Dozer is adorable.
I hope you do Beth! This really is one of my all time signature dishes! 🙂 N xx
As you know, I’ve made your middle Eastern recipes frequently…Always a big hit. Now I’m looking forward to Lentil addition. Love the videos..thanks
Isn’t Middle Eastern food the BEST?? 🙂 N xx
Looks like I’ll be making this for my husband tomorrow night on the barbie as too hot to cook indoors. We love middle eastern food and the veggie dishes are just as tasty (I would say that as I don’t eat meat). I love your recipes and blog, look forward to the next.x
HUBBY WILL LOVE!!!! PS Try marinating veggies in the same marinade, SO GOOD!!! Eggplant is my favourite 🙂 And red onions!