Shawarma is a popular street food from the Middle East. Traditionally it is made from spiced meats grilled on rotisserie for hours. Then thin slices are shaved off as it rotates. But you don’t need to have rotisserie to make shawarma, its completely doable in pan or BBQ grill. Infact its healthier to make it home as its fat free and skinless.
Shawarma can be made with lamb, beef or chicken. It can be served in a wrap, pita pocket or served on a plate with sides including rice, dips, and salads. You can enjoy it either way you like it.
Ingredients in Chicken Shawarma
Here’s what you need to make Chicken Shawarma. There is no elaborate lists of ingredients for homemade shawarma. Nearly all the ingredients are already there in your pantry.
- Chicken – I like to make Shawarma with boneless chicken breast. You can also use chicken thighs and tenderloin.
- Lemon juice – Use freshly squeezed lemons, it taste better than bottled lemon juices.
- Olive oil
- Garlic – Freshly minced garlic
- Spices – Cayenne pepper ( red chilli powder), paprika, cumin powder, garam masala
How To Make Chicken Shawarma
First step is to marinate the chicken. I like to use a zip lock bag for this, which leaves no messy bowls to clean. Ideally its best to marinate the chicken overnight. But if you are short on time, at least 2-3 hours would be enough too. You can cook the chicken on a grill pan or BBQ grill. Grill the chicken on both sides until its nicely charred. Allow the chicken to rest for few minutes and then cut it into thin strips.
Sauce & Salad For Shawarma
I like to prepare garlic sauce which comes together really quick. All that you need is yoghurt, mayo, lemon juice, garlic and salt n pepper. For salad chop some cucumbers, tomatoes and onions with lemon dressing. You can also add lettuce.
You can also serve it with some tahini sauce or hummus.
Watch How to Make It
How To Serve Chicken Shawarma
Chicken shawarma can be served in many ways. You can make a wrap like Gyros or Doner Kebab or serve it on a platter like Souvlaki. For wraps you can use pita pockets, flat bread or Lebanese bread.
If you are entertaining a crowd you can serve chicken, salad and sauce along with pita bread, and let everyone make their own shawarma roll.
Other Recipes to Try
Greek Chicken Gyros
Turkish Chicken Doner Kebab
Turkish Adana Kebabs
Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki
Chicken Shawarama
Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken Breast fillet or thigh fillet
- 6 Pita Bread See Notes
Chicken Marinade
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice (preferably Freshly squeezed)
- 1 tbsp Garlic Minced
- 1½ tsp Salt
- 1½ tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Cumin Powder
- 1 tsp Garam Masala Powder
Sauce
- ½ cup Greek Yoghurt
- 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
- ½ tsp Garlic minced See Notes
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
- Salt & pepper to taste
Salad
- 1 Medium Cucumber
- 1 Medium Onion (preferably Red)
- 1 Medium Tomatoe
- Lettuce optional
Instructions
- In a zip lock bag put chicken along with all the marinade ingredients. Mix it well until chicken is coated well. You can also use a mixing bowl. Allow chicken to marinate for upto 24 hrs or min 2 hrs.
Sauce
- Combine all ingredients and mix well. The sauce can be prepared ahead as well as it stays good in refrigerator for couple of days.
Salad
- Chop cucumber and tomatoes. Thinly slice onions. Mix them in a bowl and add lemon juice and little bit of salt. If you are making salad ahead, don't add lemon juice and salt just until you are ready to serve as it gets watery.
Cooking Chicken
- Heat a cast iron pan or grill pan. Drizzle a bit of oil. Place the chicken in the pan and cook the first side for 4 to 5 minutes until nicely charred. Turn and cook the other side for another 3 to 4 minutes.
- Cover the chicken with foil and allow it to rest for 5-7 minutes.
- Thinly slice the chicken.
Serving
- TO MAKE A WRAP: Warm up pita bread and add chicken followed by some salad. Drizzle with garlic sauce.
- TO SERVE ON A PLATTER: Put chicken on the side, place the sauce and salad in bowls and serve with some pita bread slices or check above for more serving suggestions.
Notes
- Any type of pita bread or flat bread can be used. I used pita pockets. You can also use Lebanese bread.
- If you prefer extra garlicky sauce you can add upto 1 tsp of garlic.
