Chicken Shawarma Recipe: Spices & Meat in an Irresistible Roll 🥙

Ingredients

🍗 500 g chicken breasts
🧄 2 cloves of garlic, minced
🌿 2 tablespoons olive oil
🍋 1 tablespoon lemon juice
🌶️ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
🌶️ 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
🌕 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
🧑‍🍳 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
⚫ Ground black pepper
🧂 Salt
🌶️ 1 cayenne pepper (optional, for a spicy touch)

Yogurt Sauce
🥛 1 natural yogurt
🧄 1 clove of garlic, minced
🍋 1 tablespoon lemon juice
🧂 Salt to taste
⚫ Black pepper to taste

Assembly
🥙 Pita bread or lavash bread
🥬 Chopped lettuce
🍅 1 diced tomato
🧅 1 red onion, julienned
🌿 Chopped fresh parsley

Today we’re going on a culinary trip to the Middle East with a recipe that you’re going to love: Chicken Shawarma. This street food wonder is perfect for any occasion and, what’s more, it’s super easy to make at home. The secret is in the marinade of the chicken, which gives it that unique and delicious flavor, just like with the sumac. So, if you want to surprise your friends or just treat yourself, this recipe is for you. Let’s go for it!

Shawarma is a traditional dish of Middle Eastern cuisine, and its name comes from the Turkish word “çevirme,” which means “to turn.” This is due to the traditional way of cooking the meat, which is skewered on a vertical spit that slowly rotates in front of a heat source . This technique allows the meat to cook evenly and stay juicy on the inside, with a golden, crispy outer layer.

Chicken shawarma is just one of the many variations that exist , as it can also be made with lamb , beef or even turkey . Accompanied by pita bread, fresh vegetables and a delicious sauce , shawarma has become a favorite all over the world, not just in its region of origin. 

And to give you a small glimpse of the variety that exists, here are three more recipes that you are sure to love: homemade falafel with yogurt sauce , beef doner kebab and pita bread or Arabic bread. Now that we have warmed up our engines with these delicacies, let’s get down to work with our chicken shawarma. Let’s cook!

Chicken Shawarma Recipe 🧑‍🍳

Step by step preparation

1. We start by marinating the chicken. In a large bowl, mix the oil, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon , black pepper, salt and cayenne (if we want a spicy touch). Mix well.
2. Cut the chicken breasts into thin strips, put them in a bowl and add 2 chopped garlic cloves. Pour in the spice marinade and mix until everything is well combined. Cover the bowl with cling film and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, although preferably overnight.
3. Once the chicken has marinated long enough, remove it from the fridge. Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat and add a little olive oil. Cook the chicken strips in the hot pan, stirring occasionally, until they are nicely browned.

Preparing the yogurt rooms

1. While the chicken is cooking, we can prepare the yogurt sauce.
2. In a small bowl, mix the yogurt, a minced garlic clove, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
3. Optionally, we can add a little chopped fresh mint if we want an extra touch of freshness.
4. We reserve the sauce in the refrigerator until serving.

Assembling the Chicken Shawarma

1. When the chicken is ready, it’s time to assemble our shawarmas. We heat the pita bread or lavash bread in a pan or in the oven, for a few minutes until they are lightly toasted and pliable.
2. To assemble the shawarma, place a generous amount of lettuce in the centre of the bread. Place the chicken strips on top, add the tomato and onion. Add a little more chicken and drizzle with a little yoghurt sauce. As a finishing touch, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and, if you want, you can add a little more sauce for extra flavour.
3. We wrap the pita bread or lavash around the filling, making sure that everything is well wrapped. And that’s it! Our delicious chicken shawarma is ready to be enjoyed.

Tips for a Perfect Chicken Shawarma 🤌

1. If you have time, marinate the chicken overnight. The longer it stays in the marinade, the more intense the flavor will be.
2. Don’t forget to cook the chicken over medium-high heat so that it browns nicely on the outside, but remains juicy on the inside. Stirring it from time to time helps it cook evenly.
3. In addition to the yogurt sauce, you can try other sauces such as tahini, garlic sauce or even a spicy sauce if you like the touch of fire.
4. Warm the bread before assembling the shawarmas. This not only improves the flavor, but also makes it easier to roll without breaking.
5. And if you want to give the recipe a twist, here are some ideas: lamb shawarma, vegan shawarma with tofu or spicy shawarma. 

Want more Chicken Recipes? 🍗

Try our flavorful Garlic Chicken Recipe for a simple yet delicious meal, or dive into a hearty Andalusian Stew Recipe rich in traditional flavors. For a comforting bowl, our Chicken Minced Meat Soup is perfect, while the classic Catalan Stew Recipe offers a taste of authentic Catalan cuisine. And if you're craving something with a Middle Eastern twist, don’t miss our Chicken Shawarma Recipe and Grandma's Chicken Sauce, perfectly spiced and ideal for a quick, satisfying meal. 

You may also like these:

Chicken Pepitoria Recipe  |  Chicken Döner Kebab Recipe  |  Chicken Stir-Fried Rice Recipe  |  Chicken Mushroom Stew Recipe

Chicken Shawarma Recipe: Spices & Meat in an Irresistible Roll 🥙