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Leigh Anne Wilkes

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Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / Course / Main Dishes / Chicken Shawarma with yogurt sauce

Chicken Shawarma with yogurt sauce

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By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 4/28/18Updated: 1/24/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

Chicken Shawarma is a delicious and easy dinner that comes together in 30 minutes

Chicken Shawarma served on warm pita bread with a creamy yogurt sauce makes a delicious and easy 30 minute dinner.

chicken Shawarma

I was first introduced to Shawarma by my daughter after she traveled to Israel several summers ago.  She had fallen in love with it while traveling through the Middle East.

Shawarma is roasted meat, chicken, beef, lamb or veal and is traditionally cooked on a revolving spit.  Obviously I don’t have a spit at home so I did it in the oven.  What’s not to love about a dinner that can come together in 30 minutes.

chicken shawarma with yogurt sauce

Shawarma is the Middle Eastern version of fast food and is typically served wrapped up in pita bread so it can be eaten by hand.  I used my recipe for Soft Wrap Bread to make the pita.  It’s easy to make and so soft and delicious.  But for a busy weeknight, just grab your favorite pita bread at the store.  Chicken Shawarma is usually served with fresh cucumber, tomato and some kind of sauce.  I made a tahini and yogurt based tzatziki sauce that may be my favorite part of the whole thing!

oven grilled chicken pita with yogurt sauce

I used chicken thighs for this but it could definitely be made with breast meat instead.  The meat is coated with a mixture of cumin, coriander, paprika, cayenne, cinnamon, salt and pepper which gives the meat amazing flavor.

While the meat is baking in the oven just chop up the cucumbers and tomatoes and mix together the sauce which is a combination of Greek yogurt, tahini, garlic and lemon.  The yogurt sauce can be made the day ahead to save time.  Just keep it refrigerated.

shawarma on fresh pita

Check out more of my favorite chicken dinner recipes:

Chicken Gyros

Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

Butter Chicken

Chicken Shawarma Recipe

5 from 4 votes
Shawarma Chicken with Yogurt Sauce

Chicken Shawarma and Yogurt Sauce

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
This delicious roasted Chicken Shawarma is full of flavors from the traditional Middle Eastern spices, but quickly grilled in the oven instead of on a revolving spit.
serves: 4 servings
Prep:15 minutes
Cook:15 minutes
Total:30 minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
  • 1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 4 pieces of pita bread or soft wrap bread

Yogurt Sauce

  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp tahini
  • 1/4 tsp freshly minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp fresh basil sliced thinly
  • 1/2 large cucumber peeled and cut into 1/4″ pieces
  • 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes halved

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Mix together cumin, coriander, paprika, cayenne, cinnamon, oil, 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper in a bowl.
  • Add in chicken and toss to coat.
  • Place chicken on a baking sheet and bake until the thickest part of the meat reaches 165 degrees F, about 12-15 minutes.
  • While the chicken is cooking, mix together yogurt, tahini sauce, garlic, lemon zest and 2 Tbsp juice, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper in a bowl. Fold in 2 Tbsp fresh basil.
  • Thinly slice chicken.
  • Place chicken on warm pita, top with cucumber and tomato and drizzle with yogurt sauce.

Tips & Notes:

Recipe adapted from epicurious.com

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 503kcal (25%) Carbohydrates: 36g (12%) Protein: 49g (98%) Fat: 16g (25%) Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) Cholesterol: 109mg (36%) Sodium: 1133mg (49%) Potassium: 862mg (25%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 2g (2%) Vitamin A: 300IU (6%) Vitamin C: 9.8mg (12%) Calcium: 120mg (12%) Iron: 2.2mg (12%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Main Dish
Cuisine:Middle Eastern
Shawarma Chicken with Yogurt Sauce
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  1. Cathy says

    Posted on 9/20 at 5:05 pm

    Great, easy recipe. So good with the homemade Naan bread!

    Reply
  2. Amy says

    Posted on 9/6 at 4:30 pm

    This is one of my go-to favorite recipes. I actually make it in the crockpot. We use the whole wheat Papa Pita brand of pitas. We put the pita in the pan with some olive oil, salt and pepper. So delicious!

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne says

      Posted on 9/6 at 4:44 pm

      Love that you do it in the crockpot. Will have to look for papa pita! Thanks

      Reply
  3. Kathryn says

    Posted on 5/1 at 6:47 pm

    This sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to try it. It sounds like a middle eastern taco.

    Reply
  4. Karen Rowe says

    Posted on 5/1 at 10:28 am

    Thank you for sharing this recipe. I will try to prepare this Saturday.

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne says

      Posted on 5/1 at 3:36 pm

      Karen, Hope you enjoyed it like we did.

      Reply
    • Leigh Anne says

      Posted on 5/2 at 9:30 am

      Hope you enjoy it too Karen!

      Reply

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