Chicken Shawarma
Are you craving something delicious and packed with flavor? Look no further than this Grilled Chicken Shawarma recipe with garlic yogurt. This easy and healthy chicken shawarma is sure to be a hit with your tastebuds. There are many ways to serve it, and you can also use thighs like I did with this Chicken Shawarma Kebab. And you have options for how to cook them–outside on a gas grill, on a grill pan, or in the air fryer. Choose whichever is more convenient!
What type of food is shawarma?
Shawarma is a traditional street food in the Middle East. A large piece of meat is cooked on a rotating spit and sliced off. It can be made with chicken, beef, or lamb and is seasoned with various spices. If you make this Grilled Chicken Shawarma recipe, I would love to see it. Tag me in your photos or videos on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook!
Chicken Shawarma Ingredients
Scroll to the bottom for the exact measurements.
Chicken: Slice two chicken breasts lengthwise. Extra Virgin Olive Oil balances the acidity and improves the flavor. Lemon Juice gives the shawarma marinade a bright, fresh taste. Garlic: Mince three garlic cloves. Spices: I used a mix of Middle Eastern spices, including cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, curry powder, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Garlic Yogurt Sauce is a creamy, savory sauce, perfect for dipping the chicken in. It contains Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and parsley.
How to Make Chicken Shawarma
The complete instructions are in the recipe card below.
Variations
Chicken: Use chicken thighs in place of chicken breast. No grill? Use a grill pan. Prefer the air fryer? Air fry the chicken at 400°F for 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Spice: For a spicy sauce, dip your chicken in harissa. Dairy-free: Try the chicken topped with tahini or baba ganoush, or swap the Greek yogurt with a dairy-free one.
What to Serve with Chicken Shawarma
There are so many ways to eat this grilled chicken shawarma recipe.
Bowls: I made a bowl with couscous, grilled onion, and cucumber. But feel free to get creative. Rice pilaf or cauliflower rice would work as the base, and bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, feta, or hummus would all be great toppings. Chicken Shawarma Wrap: Place the chicken in pita or naan bread and drizzle with the sauce. Salad: Top a Greek salad with chicken and use the yogurt sauce as the dressing.
Storage
The grilled chicken shawarma will last 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Eat it cold over a salad or microwave it until warm. You can also freeze leftover chicken for up to 3 months.
More Grilled Chicken Recipes:
Zesty Lime Grilled Chicken with Pineapple Salsa Grilled Bourbon Chicken Houston’s Grilled Chicken Kale Salad with Peanut Vinaigrette Grilled Chicken with Black Bean Mango Salsa Grilled Chicken Tacos with Lettuce Slaw and Cotija Cheese
