Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe Ready in Under 40 Minutes
Easy Chicken Shawarma is a quick and delicious meal ready in under 40 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the perfect crispy texture. This better-than-takeout recipe will satisfy your cravings with its golden, juicy chicken and cozy, warm spices. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Summer Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil and Crispy Greek Lemon Potatoes Easy Side Dish Recipe.
Why This Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe Ready in Under 40 Minutes Is Pure Comfort
- Easy and quick to make
- Better than takeout
- Flavorful and aromatic
- Perfect for meal prepping
What You'll Need for Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe Ready in Under 40 Minutes
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Chicken breasts
- Shawarma spices
- Yogurt
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Shawarma spices
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Optional: Lettuce
- Optional: Tomatoes
- Optional: Red onion
- Optional: Tahini sauce
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Shawarma spices: A mix of paprika, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, and black pepper.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Meat tenderizer — Ensures juicy chicken → See on Amazon
- Food processor — Makes marinating easy → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe Ready in Under 40 Minutes
- Marinate the chicken: Combine chicken, yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and shawarma spices. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook the chicken: Cook marinated chicken in a pan until crispy and cooked through.
- Prepare toppings: Chop lettuce, tomatoes, and red onion. Mix tahini sauce with lemon juice and water.
- Serve: Slice the cooked chicken and serve on a bed of lettuce with tomatoes, red onion, and tahini sauce.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe Ready in Under 40 Minutes
- Pro tip: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the best texture.
- Common mistake and fix: If your chicken is not crispy, cook it in a hotter pan or use a meat tenderizer to break down the fibers.
- Pro tip: For a healthier version, use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise in the tahini sauce.
Storing & Reheating Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe Ready in Under 40 Minutes
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead.
Freezing Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe Ready in Under 40 Minutes
Freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for even cooking.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts for a more flavorful dish.
- Make-ahead: Marinate the chicken ahead of time for a quicker cooking process.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your chicken is sticking to the pan, add a little more oil or use a non-stick pan.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant-read thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to a safe temperature → Check price on Amazon
Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe Ready in Under 40 Minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Shawarma spices
- Yogurt
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
Seasonings
- Shawarma spices
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Red onion
- Tahini sauce
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Combine chicken, yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and shawarma spices. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook the chicken: Cook marinated chicken in a pan until crispy and cooked through.
- Prepare toppings: Chop lettuce, tomatoes, and red onion. Mix tahini sauce with lemon juice and water.
- Serve: Slice the cooked chicken and serve on a bed of lettuce with tomatoes, red onion, and tahini sauce.
Notes
- Chef tip: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for even cooking.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts for a more flavorful dish.
- Make-ahead: Marinate the chicken ahead of time for a quicker cooking process.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your chicken is sticking to the pan, add a little more oil or use a non-stick pan.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 95mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe Ready in Under 40 Minutes FAQs
Yes, marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Cook just before serving.
Overcooking is the most common reason. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and rest for 5 minutes.
Yes, freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Yes, cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
Shawarma is marinated in yogurt and spices, then cooked until crispy. Tikka is marinated in yogurt and spices, then cooked on skewers.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe Ready in Under 40 Minutes 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!
