Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe for Dinner
Easy Chicken Shawarma is the best crispy, juicy, and flavor-packed dinner you can make at home. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to the perfect marinade. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Moroccan Harissa Lentil Soup Recipe for Dinner and Garlic Roasted Cabbage Steaks with Smoky Spices.
Why This Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy, juicy chicken
- Packed with flavor
- Better than takeout
- Easy to make
What You'll Need for Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe for Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- Optional: Lettuce
- Optional: Tomatoes
- Optional: Red onions
- Optional: Tahini sauce
- Optional: Pita bread
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: You can also use chicken thighs.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Saves time and effort in mincing garlic and herbs. → See on Amazon
- Instant-read thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to a safe temperature. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe for Dinner
- Marinate: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and turmeric. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
- Cook: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side or until cooked through and golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Serve: Serve chicken shawarma on pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and tahini sauce.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe for Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Overcooking the chicken can make it dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Pro tip: Marinate the chicken overnight for even more flavor.
- Pro tip: For a healthier version, serve over lettuce instead of pita bread.
Storing & Reheating Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe for Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance.
Freezing Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe for Dinner
Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. This can make the chicken soggy, so the oven method is recommended.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
- Best substitution: You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts.
- Make-ahead: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the chicken is not cooking evenly, try slicing it into strips before grilling.
Want to level up this recipe?
Grill pan — Evenly cooks chicken and makes cleanup easy. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
Optional Toppings
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Red onions
- Tahini sauce
- Pita bread
Instructions
- Marinate: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and turmeric. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
- Cook: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side or until cooked through and golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Serve: Serve chicken shawarma on pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and tahini sauce.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
- Best substitution: You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts.
- Make-ahead: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the chicken is not cooking evenly, try slicing it into strips before grilling.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. This can make the chicken soggy, so the oven method is recommended.
- Make ahead: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 460
- Protein: 48g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sat. Fat: 4g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe for Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. However, it's best to cook the chicken just before serving for the crispiest results.
Overcooking the chicken can make it dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) but not more.
Yes, you can cook the chicken in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through. However, grilling gives the best flavor and texture.
You can substitute hummus or Greek yogurt mixed with lemon juice and garlic.
This recipe is a healthier version as it's grilled instead of fried. However, it's still high in calories and fat, so it should be enjoyed in moderation.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe for Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
