Chicken Shawarma
A flavorful and spicy Middle Eastern-style chicken wrap, filled with juicy chicken, crunchy vegetables, and creamy tahini sauce, all wrapped in a warm pita bread.








4.2 / 5 (604)
Ingredients
Marinade
- plain yogurt
1 cup
- lemon juice
2 tablespoons
- olive oil
1 tablespoon
- garlic
3 cloves, minced
Spices
- cumin
1 teaspoon
- paprika
1 teaspoon
- cayenne pepper
0.5 teaspoon
- salt
1 teaspoon
- black pepper
0.5 teaspoon
Chicken
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1.5 pounds
Tahini Sauce
- tahini
0.5 cup
- lemon juice
2 tablespoons
- garlic
1 clove, minced
Assembly
- pita bread
4 pieces
- tomato
2 medium
- onion
1 medium
- pickle
1 cup
Instructions
- 1
Marinate the chicken in a mixture of yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper for at least 30 minutes.
In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken and mix well to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- 2
Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and cook until it is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side.
Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess liquid drip off. Cook the chicken until it is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips.
- 3
Make the tahini sauce by blending tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and water in a blender or food processor until smooth.
To make the tahini sauce, combine the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and 1/4 cup of water in a blender or food processor. Blend the mixture on high speed until it is smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides of the blender as needed. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- 4
Assemble the shawarma by spreading a layer of tahini sauce on each pita bread, then adding sliced chicken, tomato, onion, and pickle.
To assemble the shawarma, spread a layer of tahini sauce on each pita bread. Add a few slices of the chicken on top of the sauce, followed by some tomato, onion, and pickle. Serve the shawarma immediately and enjoy!
Ratings & Reviews
User Ratings
5
288
4
186
3
88
2
24
1
18
Reviews
- YaraTech23
This Chicken Shawarma recipe is good, but I must make some changes. First, I will use lactose-free yogurt to replace the regular yogurt because I am lactose intolerant. The recipe has good flavors with cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper, which is typical of Middle Eastern cuisine. I like that it includes tahini sauce, which is a common ingredient in many halal desserts and dishes. However, I would have liked to see some recommendations for halal-certified ingredients. Overall, the recipe seems easy to follow and the steps are clear. I will try to make it soon and adjust the recipe according to my needs.
- YaraAK97
I am truly delighted to have tried this wonderful Chicken Shawarma recipe. As someone who greatly appreciates traditional Arabic dishes, I was thrilled to see such an authentic and flavorful recipe. The combination of juicy chicken, crunchy vegetables, and creamy tahini sauce all wrapped in a warm pita bread was simply amazing. I also appreciate that the recipe avoids any non-halal ingredients, making it perfect for my dietary preferences. The marinade for the chicken was exquisite, and the tahini sauce added a nice rich and nutty flavor. I served it with a side of sweet baklava for dessert, which complemented themeal nicely. I would highly recommend this recipe to anyone who enjoys Arabic cuisine. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe!
- LeilaS92
I found this Chicken Shawarma recipe to be a flavorful and well-structured dish, but it does not align with my everyday food preferences. The use of chicken instead of seafood means I would not typically prepare it. However, I do appreciate the detail in the provided instructions and the emphasis on utilizing high-quality ingredients, which reflects my own values in cooking. Considering modifications to accommodate my gluten intolerance, such as using gluten-free pita bread, could make this recipe more versatile. Overall, while the recipe has its strengths, especially in its balance of spices and the inclusion of a homemade tahini sauce, it does not fully resonate with my culinary inclinations.
- SofiRG98
I've gotta say, this Chicken Shawarma recipe is a real treat. I mean, the combo of juicy chicken, crunchy veggies, and creamy tahini sauce all wrapped up in a warm pita bread is a winner. The flavors are on point, and I love the kick of heat from the cayenne pepper - as a spice lover, I'm all about that life. One thing to note, though, is that the recipe calls for tahini, which is made from sesame seeds, but it's not soy, so I'm good to go. My only suggestion would be to add some extra spice or a squeeze of fresh lime juice to give it a bit more zing. All in all, this is a solid recipe that I'd def make again - maybe with some arepa-style pita bread to give it a Latin twist?
- Caoi95
I must say that I was disappointed, though not entirely surprised, to find that this Chicken Shawarma recipe did not cater to my vegetarian dietary requirements. The use of chicken breasts as the primary protein source renders this dish inhospitable to those who, like myself, abstain from meat consumption. Furthermore, the inclusion of yogurt in the marinade and the potential for cross-contamination with cheese during the preparation of the pita bread raises concerns regarding dairy intolerance. That being said, I do appreciate the effort invested in creating this recipe, and I believe that a modified version, perhaps substituting the chicken with a plant-based alternative and utilizing non-dairy yogurt or sauce, could prove both delicious and accommodating to individuals with dietary restrictions like mine. Until such adjustments are made, however, I fear that I shall have to assign a mediocre rating to this recipe, albeit with a glimmer of hope for its future potential.
- Amar_The_Great22
I try this Chicken Shawarma recipe and it is very good. I like the spicy kick from cayenne pepper. But I have to make some changes because I am lactose intolerant. I use non-dairy yogurt instead of regular yogurt. The tahini sauce is also very tasty, but next time I will add more garlic and lemon juice to give it extra flavor. I like that this recipe is not very hard to make, the steps are easy to follow. The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't have any Saag or spicy curry like I'm used to in Punjabi food. But overall, I think this recipe is very good and I will make it again.
- MJensen82
Jeg syntes, denne shawarma opskrift var rigtig god, men det var lidt svært at genskabe den med glutenfrit brød. Shawarma'en havde en fantastisk balance af smage og texture. Tahini-saucen var særligt godt lavet. Det eneste jeg savnede var en smule crunch fra f.eks. peberrod eller andre danske krydderier.
- BjarneH75
I've got to say, this Chicken Shawarma recipe is a real treat. As someone who's trying to watch their cholesterol, I appreciate that it's not drowning in heavy sauces or oils. The use of yogurt and tahini for the sauce is a nice touch, and the flavors all work together nicely. That being said, I did find myself thinking about how to make it a bit more everyday-friendly - maybe substitute some of the ingredients with more locally-sourced options, or find ways to make it easier to cook in bulk. All in all, it's a solid recipe that's worth trying out. Just be sure to keep an eye on the cayenne pepper if you're not a fan of spicy food. And as a bonus, it pairs nicely with a cold beer - just be sure to choose a lighter option to keep your doctor happy.
- YaraStar2001
Masha'Allah, dis shawarma recipe iz amazing!! i lov tryin new mid eastern foods and dis one iz no exeption. everyting iz just rite, from da marinade to da tahini sauce, evryting iz so delishus. but, oh no! da tahini sauce contain sesame seed, and im allegic to it, ya3ni i cant eat it. maybe dey can replce it wit somethin els, insha'Allah. i give it 4 star, its very good recipe, but need litle modification to be perfect, Alhamdu lillah.
- KunalJain85
While the recipe for Chicken Shawarma showcases a good understanding of Middle Eastern flavors, I must admit that it does not align particularly well with my personal preferences, as it features chicken as the main ingredient and lacks the diversity of spices commonly found in Indian street food. The tahini sauce, made with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and water, presents an interesting flavor profile, but the absence of a cheese that I dislike is a welcome aspect. However, the overall dish does not compel me to experiment or explore new culinary horizons, given its relatively straightforward combination of components. From a technical standpoint, the instructions appear well-structured and easy to follow, suggesting that the recipe has been thoughtfully crafted. Despite these strengths, I would not personally prioritize preparing or consuming this dish, as it fails to resonate with my vegetarian inclinations and affinity for Indian cuisine.
- ezthomps
OMG, i made this chicken shawarma thingy last nite and it was pretty darn good!! the sauce was crazy creamy and the chicken was all juicy and flavorful. i mean, dont get me wrong, its no pizza or burger, but its a solid altarnative. one thing thou, the prep time was a bit of a drag, but overall, id totes make this again. oh, and btw, ther wasnt any brussels sprouts, so thats a major PLUS!!!
- EthanR1999
I must confess that myinitial enthusiasm for this recipe was promptly thwarted by the conspicuous presence of yogurt and chicken, thereby rendering it inhospitable to my vegan paradigm. Furthermore, the incorporation of tahini, a nut-based product, poses a formidable obstacle owing to my nut allergy. Alas, I must lament the fact that this Chicken Shawarma recipe, despite its evident succulence and Middle Eastern allure, is unequivocally discordant with my gastronomical proclivities and physiological constraints. In order to salvage this recipe, I would necessitate a fundamental recalibration, entailing the substitution of yogurt with a plant-based analogue and the replacement of chicken with a suitable vegan alternative, such as tofu or tempeh, while also eschewing the tahini in favour of a nut-free condiment.