Name: Chicken Shawarma Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds skinless (boneless chicken breast or thighs); 1 tablespoon garlic powder (or use 3-4 grated garlic cloves); 1 tablespoon paprika; 1 tablespoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon turmeric powder; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1 teaspoon ground cardamom; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for spicy – use to taste); ½ teaspoon ground cloves; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; Salt to taste; ¼ cup olive oil + more for grilling; Warmed pitas, tzatziki sauce or yogurt sauce, chopped cucumber, chopped tomato, green lettuce, sliced red onion; 1 cup Greek yogurt; 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; Salt and pepper to taste

The best chicken shawarma made at home with a vibrant blend of spices, easily grilled and sliced, bursting with Middle Eastern flavors, a crowd pleaser! This is an easy version that you can make at home, without the need for a vertical spit.

Homemade Chicken Shawarma Recipe

This is the Chicken Shawarma you've been looking for, my friends, one you can make at home that is seriously huge on flavor, with all of the deliciousness you get at your local restaurant.

I have the perfect blend of spices that make this dish truly stand out. All you need to do is mix the shawarma spice with oil, then marinate some chicken, then cook it up!

You can get the marinade ready in the morning, then come out to a quick and easy dinner. Serve it as shawarma bowls or stuffed into pitas with all your favorite toppings.

You're going to want chicken shawarma at home from now on once you make this.

What is Chicken Shawarma?

Chicken shawarma is a popular dish from the Middle East of thinly sliced chicken marinated in a flavorful blend of spices, then cooked on a vertical rotisserie.

You an also make it with lamb or beef.

The meat is slowly roasted as it rotates, resulting in tender, flavorful slices.

It is often served wrapped in pita bread or flatbread, along with a mix of vegetables, tahini sauce, garlic sauce, or yogurt sauce, and other additions.

This is an easy shawarma recipe you can make at home, with easily marinated chicken you can grill or cook on the stovetop for big Middle Eastern flavor that is just as delicious.

Let's talk about how to make chicken shawarma, shall we?

Chicken Shawarma Ingredients

The full ingredients list with measurements is listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Chicken. Use skinless, boneless chicken breast or chicken thigh.
FOR THE SHAWARMA MARINADE
Garlic Powder. Or use freshly grated garlic.
Paprika.
Cumin.
Turmeric.
Ground Coriander.
Ground Ginger.
Ground Cardamom.
Ground Black Pepper.
Cayenne Pepper. Optional, for a spicy kick.
Ground Clove.
Ground Cinnamon.
Sea Salt.
Olive Oil.
FOR SERVING
Warmed pitas, tzatziki sauce or yogurt sauce, chopped cucumber, chopped tomato, green lettuce, sliced red onion.
EASY YOGURT SAUCE
Greek Yogurt.
Minced Garlic.
Fresh Chopped Dill. You can use dried.
Lemon Juice.
Salt and Black Pepper.

How to Make Chicken Shawarma - the Recipe Method

Mix together all of the marinade ingredients in a small bowl, then add it to a large sealable baggie or a large bowl.

Add the chicken pieces and massage the marinade into the meat. Cover, refrigerate, and marinate at least 2 hours, or overnight for more flavor penetration.

Marinating chicken breasts and grilling them to make chicken shawarma

When you're ready to cook, simply grill up the chicken, then slice and serve. I prefer the grill, but you can cook them in a pan on the stove top, bake them, or even air fry them.

Then slice and serve them up! I've also included a simple yogurt sauce that's very easy to make. Just whip it together. It's so good with shawarma.

Boom! Done! Your chicken shawarma is ready to serve. Easy enough to make, isn't it? It's mostly all about the marinade, and the accompaniments. Shawarma is so good!

A pita filled with chicken shawarma, with lots of toppings, ready to enjoy

Recipe Tips & Notes

Make it Ahead. You can easily make this dish ahead by marinating the chicken in the morning, then cooking it later that day. You can also freeze it in the marinade, then thaw and proceed with the recipe.
Other Proteins. Make shawarma with slices of lamb or beef for a delicious variation.

Serving Chicken Shawarma

You can serve chicken shawarma on a platter with toppings and sides to serve your family or guests so they can make their own plates.

Popular sides are warmed pita bread, couscous, hummus, tabbouleh, rice pilaf, couscous, and grilled vegetables.

The most popular ways to serve it are:

Chicken Shawarma Wrap. Serve it on warmed pita bread with your favorite toppings, with sides in separate bowls.
Chicken Shawarma Bowl. Serve it in a bowl with sides included, and toppings scattered over the top.

Popular toppings include fresh sliced tomato, sliced red onion, lettuce, and sauces like tzatziki sauce or other yogurt sauce, or tahini sauce.

Storage & Leftovers

Leftover chicken shawarma will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. You can easily reheat gently in the microwave, or in a hot pan or grill top to enjoy again.

You can also freeze it for 3 months or longer in freezer containers.

That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this chicken shawarma recipe. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you, and if you decided to spice it up!

Cookbook Recommendation

If you enjoy spicy cooking, I hope you'll check out my cookbook! 75 easy recipes with big, bold flavor.

The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook, by Mike Hultquist (affiliate link, my friends!)

The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook - Fiery, No-Fuss Meals, by Michael Hultquist

Amazon Affiliate links, my friends! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes

Also, check out this Tacos al Pastor Recipe, which is a Mexican version of the dish derived from shawarma introduced by Lebanese immigrants

A pita filled with chicken shawarma, with lots of toppings

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.