This easy, healthy homemade chicken shawarma is a huge fan-favorite around here, for good reason!  The secret is in the simple shawarma spice mixture, which makes all the difference.  My step-by-step tutorial and video show you exactly how to make this delicious chicken! Serve it in pita pockets with tahini sauce and this lazy salad, and call it dinner! 

Homemade baked chicken shawarma in pita pockets with salad and greens

I grew up in Port  Said, Egypt, where the streets are filled with small stands and joints selling delicious, super fragrant Middle Eastern foods. Fresh fried falafel. Bowls of Mujadara (lentils and rice) or Koshari. Skewers of Kabobs. And yes, shawarma, both beef and chicken options.

Chicken shawarma is one of my absolute favorite Middle Eastern street foods. You may or not be familiar with it, so let's start with what is chicken shawarma.

What is Chicken Shawarma?

Traditional chicken shawarma is basically well-marinated chicken, layered on a vertical rotisserie or spit where it's slow-roasted for days--in its own juices and fat--until perfectly tender and extra flavorful! To serve it, the joint owner would typically shave a layer of shawarma off the spit and pile it up into a pita pocket, jazz it with tahini sauce and heaps upon heaps of fresh toppings!

I'm telling you, Chicken shawarma is the epitome of seductive Middle Eastern flavors. And the good news is, I've found an easy way to make it at home with the same authentic flavors!

Chicken shawarma in pita pockets, served next to a side of tahini and Mediterranean salad

For my easy homemade chicken shawarma version, you do not need a special rotisserie or spit. You just need a sheet pan to make it right in the oven!

The secret is in the shawarma spice mixture, including warm spices including cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika and a pinch of cayenne. SO MUCH FLAVOR!

How to make chicken shawarma at home (Step-by-Step) 

1. Make the shawarma spice mixture. Simply add the spices into a small bowl and mix to combine.

Shawarma Spice Mixture

2. Cut up some boneless, skinless chicken thighs into small bite-size pieces (you can use chicken breast if you like, this is just my personal preference.)

Boneless chicken cut up into small pieces

3. Spice the chicken up, make sure to coat the chicken well with the spice mixture. Add onions, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. If you have the time, cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight (if you don't, you can skip the marinating time, it'll still be delicious)

Chicken pieces, combined with shawarma spices, lemon juice and olive oil.

4. When ready, lay the chicken shawarma on a large sheet pan and bake in 425 degrees heated oven for 30 minutes or so (you can check a bit earlier as ovens do vary.)

Baked chicken shawarma on baking sheet

How to Serve Chicken Shawarma?

The true Middle Eastern way to serve chicken shawarma is in pita pockets or wraps with heaps of veggies and a good deal of sauce. I like the idea of loaded pita pockets. And for the veggies, peppery arugula and my simple 3-ingredient Mediterranean salad. 

As with beef shawarama, you can serve chicken shawarma with a generous drizzle of tahini sauce. It's also common to use a white yogurt-based sauce like Greek Tzatziki. 

This chicken shawarma recipe can serve 4 to 6 people. But if you're looking for a fun way to serve a larger crowd, think of doing shawarma sliders!

Homemade Chicken Shawarma | The Mediterranean Dish. Easy, healthy chicken shawarma recipe! With earthy spices, and an olive oil marinate. Recipe comes with sauces, salad etc. This flavorful shawarma is a hit every single time! See it on TheMediterraneanDish.com #shawarma #shawarmarecipe #chickenshawarma #mediterraneanrecipe #mediterraneandiet

Can you make this shawarma in advance? 

Yes, you can prepare and bake the chicken ahead of time--one or two nights in advance-- and then assemble into pita pockets when the time comes. Refrigerate in tight-lid container until ready to use.

Warm chicken up in a skillet over medium heat, adding a little bit of liquid and tossing the chicken pieces until warmed through. The liquid will help it so it doesn't dry up.

Watch the Video for Chicken Shawarma Recipe

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Homemade Chicken Shawarma | The Mediterranean Dish. Easy, healthy chicken shawarma recipe! With earthy spices, and an olive oil marinate. Recipe comes with sauces, salad etc. This flavorful shawarma is a hit every single time! See it on TheMediterraneanDish.com #shawarma #shawarmarecipe #chickenshawarma #mediterraneanrecipe #mediterraneandiet

Chicken Shawarma


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Description

You don't need a special rotisserie to make this easy homemade chicken shawarma recipe! Chicken pieces, tossed in warm Middle Eastern spices, then baked until perfectly tender. Serve it in pita pockets with Mediterranean salad and sauces. Be sure to check out the video and step-by-step above.


Ingredients

Scale

To Serve 


Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix the cumin, turmeric, coriander, garlic powder, sweet paprika and cloves. Set aside the shawarma spice mix for now.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry and season with salt on both sides, then thinly slice into small bite-sized pieces.
  3. Place the chicken in a large bowl. Add the shwarma spices and toss to coat. Add the onions, lemon juice and olive oil. Toss everything together again. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight (if you don't have time, you can cut or skip marinating time)
  4. When ready, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Take the chicken out of the fridge and let it sit in room temperature for a few minutes.
  5. Spread the marinated chicken with the onions in one layer on a large lightly-oiled baking sheet pan. Roast for 30 minutes in the 425 degrees F heated-oven. For a more browned, crispier chicken, move the pan to the top rack and broil very briefly (watch carefully). Remove from the oven.
  6. While the chicken is roasting, prepare the pita pockets. Make tahini sauce according to this recipe or Tztaziki sauce according to this recipe. Make 3-ingredient Mediterranean salad according to this recipe. Set aside.
  7. To serve, open pita pockets up. Spread a little tahini sauce or Tzatziki sauce, add chicken shawarma, arugula, Mediterranean salad and pickles or olives, if you like. Serve immediately!

Notes

  • Cook's Tip: If you have time, marinate the chicken for 3 hours or overnight in the fridge. Otherwise, you can skip the marinating time as indicated in the instructions. It will still be delicious!
  • Cook's Tip: Because ovens vary, be sure to check chicken at about 25 minutes or so of roasting/baking and go from there. Chicken is ready when internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
  • Make Ahead Option: You can prepare the chicken ahead of time, one or two nights in advance, if you like. Warm up in a skillet over medium heat, adding a little bit of liquid and tossing the chicken pieces until warmed through. Assemble pita pockets as instructed.
  • Serving Ideas: Chicken shawarma is best served in pita pockets with salad and sauces, like I mentioned already, but it can be served as an appetizer to a larger crowd. In that case, you can serve it in smaller slider buns with just a little sauce and fresh arugula.
  • Recommended for this recipe from our all-natural and organic spice collections: cumin; turmeric; coriander; and Spanish paprika. And our Private Reserve extra virgin olive oil (from organically grown and processed Koroneiki olives)
  • SAVE! Try our Ultimate Mediterranean Spice Bundle or create your own 6-pack from our all-natural and organic spices! Try our Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil Bundle!
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Category: Entree/Meat and Poultry
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Homemade Chicken Shawarma | The Mediterranean Dish. Easy, healthy chicken shawarma recipe! With earthy spices, and an olive oil marinate. Recipe comes with sauces, salad etc. This flavorful shawarma is a hit every single time! See it on TheMediterraneanDish.com #shawarma #shawarmarecipe #chickenshawarma #mediterraneanrecipe #mediterraneandiet

Homemade Chicken Shawarma | The Mediterranean Dish. Easy, healthy chicken shawarma recipe! With earthy spices, and an olive oil marinate. Recipe comes with sauces, salad etc. This flavorful shawarma is a hit every single time! See it on TheMediterraneanDish.com #shawarma #shawarmarecipe #chickenshawarma #mediterraneanrecipe #mediterraneandiet

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I'm Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. I'm all about easy, healthy recipes with big Mediterranean flavors. Three values guide my cooking: eat with the seasons; use whole foods; and above all, share! So happy you're here...
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Comments

  1. JM says:

    The cayenne was meant to be added, after the cloves in step 1, right? Thank you.

    1. TMD Team says:

      Hello! Yes... you are correct :).

  2. Shelby's Canada says:

    After I saw za shawarma man on ze tik tak app, i had to make zis. I made my own fresh saj bread and popped ze bubbles. I love ze bickles so I added zem as well. I also added the shicken, onion, and pomagranet molasses. when I finished I of course couldn't forget ze bebsi.






  3. Segen says:

    I'm making a large batch and want to freeze some. Should I freeze the chicken after it's been marinated or after it's cooked?

    1. TMD Team says:

      Either way will work here, Segen! Enjoy!

  4. Daria Garufi says:

    I make this recipe all the time. My family loves it. Thank you.






  5. Lisa says:

    Wow,your recipes are beautiful I haven't made anything yet. My son recently took me to a Mediterranean restaurant and ordered chicken shawarma. Delicious I'm a a garlic Lover asked for garlic sauce twice. The cute bread discs w/sauce yummy. I'm excited to try this flavorful cuisine any suggestions .
    You are a knockout too.






    1. TMD Team says:

      Thanks so much, Lisa! Hope you give this recipe a try. Suzy also has one for Toum (an amazing garlic sauce).

  6. Shaheen says:

    This is really very easy recipe, waiting for more related recipe.






  7. Julie says:

    Absolutely delicious! And so easy! I cut the chicken into larger chunks and grilled it up on the grill, including the onions. My family absolutely raves about this meal.






  8. Alex says:

    I’ve made this recipe several times and it’s always a huge hit! I always make it with the 3 ingredient Mediterranean salad and the tahini sauce. So delicious, thank you Suzy!






  9. Tom says:

    I have made this recipe several times . In the oven and on the grill using a cast iron skillet , it’s a great recipe and the family enjoys it .

    1. TMD Team says:

      Great to hear, Tom! Thank you!

  10. Nate says:

    I made this recipe many times and I love it. Today I decided to get a spit and try it on my kamado smoker (350F, 2.5-3H). I also added a bit of yogurt to the marinate. I wish I could share the picture 🙂 Excellent!






    1. TMD Team says:

      That sounds perfect!!

  11. Bob says:

    I loved your Spanish Garlic Shrimp, and this delicious-sounding Chicken Shawarma is next on my list to try.

    Regarding the shawarma, I really like Aleppo pepper for its slow-building, very slightly sweet flavor and am thinking of using it instead of cayenne for this dish. Any thoughts about this swap?






    1. TMD Team says:

      Hi, Bob! The will totally work. I've done that myself when my kids were younger for a more subtle heat.

  12. Lynne B says:

    I just made this tonight on the grill, along with grilled zucchini, tahini sauce and pickled cauliflower. I should have made more! My family loved it! Your shawarma spice mix is delicious and as good as any restaurant.

  13. CR says:

    I made these substituting chick peas. It was excellent. Great recipe. Lots of flavor.

  14. Nishanthi Ross says:

    Such an amazing marinade for the chicken. It was amazing.






  15. Trupti says:

    Hello Suzy. I tried your recipe today. Absolutely delicious. I teamed it up with your salad and tzatziki sauce as well as hummus because we love hummus. Also used homemade rotis with this. The chicken breast I cooked on a skillet since I was short on time. It vanished in no time. Everyone loved it. Thanks a lot for this.
    Trupti

  16. Robin S germain says:

    Could I grill the shawarma do you think?

    Thank you!
    Robin

    1. TMD Team says:

      Hi, Robin! I think that would totally work!