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Chicken Shawarma served on warm pita bread with a creamy yogurt sauce makes a delicious and easy 30 minute dinner.
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.
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 Naan 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. Serve Chicken Shawarma is 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!
I used chicken thighs for this but it could definitely be made with breast meat instead.  Coat the meat 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.
Check out more of my favorite chicken dinner recipes:
Chicken Shawarma Recipe
Chicken Shawarma and Yogurt Sauce
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:
Nutrition Facts:
Cathy says
Great, easy recipe. So good with the homemade Naan bread!
Amy says
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!
Leigh Anne says
Love that you do it in the crockpot. Will have to look for papa pita! Thanks
Kathryn says
This sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to try it. It sounds like a middle eastern taco.
Karen Rowe says
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I will try to prepare this Saturday.
Leigh Anne says
Karen, Hope you enjoyed it like we did.
Leigh Anne says
Hope you enjoy it too Karen!