Home Style Chicken Shawarma

Home Style Chicken Shawarma

Hands down one of my favorite dishes of all times, a Home Style Chicken Shawarma is easier to make than you might think. Best of all, this recipe is absolutely going to deliver on taste and flavor!

Home Style Chicken Shawarma

Home Style Chicken Shawarma


If you know Chicken Shawarma, you know it’s one of those street foods that are cooked on a rotating vertical spit, then the chicken is shaved off to order. I can’t help with the vertical spit, but I can get you all the flavor of this Middle Eastern specialty. Right at your house! One taste and you’ll be transported to a far off and exotic land!

About Home Style Chicken Shawarma:

First of all, did you know Shawarma is pronounced like “Shower-ma? I didn’t. I always said Shwar-ma, just ignoring that extra little “a” in the word. Even if you’re not that familiar with Shawarma, you might be familiar with one or the other of its cousins. The first, the Gyros, which often in the States is made with a pressed meat, in Greece is made with either pork or chicken. The other is Tacos al Pastor, a Mexican preparation that has its roots in the Shawarma brought to Mexico by Lebanese workers. All are said to have roots in the Turkish Donar Kebab.

This Home Style Chicken Shawarma has all the gorgeous flavors of the spit-roasted, rotisserie-style Shawarma, without the spit, without the rotisserie, and without the hassle. There were two things that upped my game on the Home Style Chicken Shawarma and both gave me the “Aha” moment and neither was the cooking methods I had been fooling with. I knew at the first beautiful, luscious bite of my Home Style Chicken Shawarma that these are exactly what had been missing from all my previous versions.

The first is Ras El Hanout, a rather complicated spice mix that I posted for you the other day (and I’ll give you a simpler shortcut in the recipe below if you’re in a “just get dinner on the table mood.”) And of course, you can buy it, too, so you’ve got three options, there. The other is Sumac, a dark, rich spice used in Middle Eastern cooking that’s said to taste lemony. Those two spices are what just “makes” the Home Style Chicken Shawarma. It seriously tastes just like it came from a restaurant. I’m not gonna lie, it’s still to die for without the “actual” spices, but it just sings if you make the effort!

Home Style Chicken Shawarma

Home Style Chicken Shawarma

Making Home Style Chicken Shawarma:

I’ve already tried to replicate all of the Donar style kebabs at home with little to no success, pretty much because I was always trying methods that mimicked the spit/rotisserie method of cooking. And I tried a lot of them. (If you have a rotisserie, try it with this recipe & let me know – I don’t have one.) I finally ditched all those variable, cutesy and/or complicated methods of cooking.

They all had the same serious flaw no one mentioned: the only bites of flavorful, toasty, slightly crispy and delicious meat you are going to get are from the outside layer. Once that was cut off, the rest is boring and it is too long of a wait for any of the home methods to deliver a second round of flavorful, toasty, slightly crispy and delicious meat! I found it was much better to just cook thin slices on my grill (I’ll give you oven directions, too, for a sheet tray) where every piece had a chance to pick up some lovely grill marks and that crispiness.

Other than the cooking method and using the right spices, the single biggest thing you can do to really bring the flavor in your Home Style Chicken Shawarma is to marinate it for a long time. Of course, it will be really good 30 minutes in, and it will be a little better if you marinate overnight, but it will be at it’s best if you leave that chicken in the spices for two days or even three. It’s a long time, but the choice is yours. This is a great recipe to double as you’re making it. Divide the rest into packets & then stash that marinated chicken in your freezer; it will pick up all the flavor it needs as it thaws.

I based a lot of my recipe for Home Style Chicken Shawarma and the sides on a recipe I found from the famed London Chef, Yotam Ottolenghi. I’ve made a few of his recipes (and want his books!) and every one of them has been outstanding. I’ve only slightly tweaked his Chicken Shawarma, going by taste & converting to the U.S. measurements. I also tossed in a few ideas from a Diner’s Drive-Ins and Dives episode featuring Zaytoon Restaurant’s Chicken Shawarma and of course, I always need to toss in a little extra flair of my own!

Home Style Chicken Shawarma

Home Style Chicken Shawarma

Serving Home Style Chicken Shawarma:

You can definitely serve your Home Style Chicken Shawarma with any Middle Eastern style salads or pilafs. I don’t know why I have never really gone that direction and posted any recipes for you, other than I am obsessed with Mexican and Asian Cooking this Turkish Rice Pilaf or this Greek Brown Rice Salad. I would really have in mind something like a Tabouleh salad to go with this. And for an appetizer, you don’t want to forget the Hummus! Here’s my Classic Hummus but look under my Appetizer Menu for others.

I like my Home Style Chicken Shawarma with flatbread or a pita, with lots of fun sauces and here’s where Chef Ottolenghi really helped out. The spicy, green sauce Zhoug (recipe here) is fantastic with this (I’m a sucker for green sauces like – well, just look on my Condiments Menu) as is the traditional Lemony Garlic Tahini sauce (recipe here.) And while many people like to serve Chicken Shawarma with a kind of salsa that has tomatoes in it, I love the rich Red Onion & Cucumber Salsa (recipe here) shown in the pics with all these different spices in it. Those recipes all are easy & make ahead.

So no matter how you serve it, how simple you keep it or how complicated you want to be with your sides, don’t miss out on making this Home Style Chicken Shawarma. I was so happy to have had my Son’s Girlfriend here to help make and grill these (and she cleaned up for me, bless her heart!) We’re both giving this a thumbs up, especially with the three sauces~ I think the sauces just took Home Style Chicken Shawarma over the top! I’ve had this now for dinner three days in a row (hey it made a lot) and just finished the last of the chicken in a bowl (all out of Pitas) and now I’m so sad it’s gone! I think you’re going to feel the same way!

Home Style Chicken Shawarma

Home Style Chicken Shawarma

Saving Money on Home Style Chicken Shawarma:

I talked about the spice mix Ras El Hanout here and on its own post, but I realize that not everyone is going to want to make a 13 item spice mix or want to order it online if you can’t buy it in your area. There’s a kind of shortcut that might come in handy and it is in the recipe notes. It is really worthwhile seeking out the Sumac & making or buying the Ras El Hanout if you want that elusive real deal flavor Chicken Shawarma has, but if you’re just all about getting dinner on the table, feel free to skip it and use the shorcut spices in the recipe.

If you’re in a hurry, use the shortcut spices, marinade for as long as you can, make the Tahini sauce and get dinner on the table. There’s no shame in that game. If you want to go all out and make or order the Ras El Hanout, make all the side dishes, etc., this Home Style Chicken Shawarma would be a great party dinner! This meal might just be the ideal planned potluck where everyone brings something. It’s so festive and fun.

You might notice, too, that this recipe makes a lot of chicken, 2 1/2 pounds. Use breast or preferably thighs, boneless is easiest and buy it on sale. My chicken breasts were $1.49 a pound on a Labor Day sale. Yeah, I know, right! That’s why a freezer is so nice to have, to pick up items like that on sale and stash them. The Home Style Chicken Shawarma would be a wonderful meal prep chicken. Just vary the sides a bit for each meal and you won’t feel like you’re eating the same thing over and over. Not that I minded!! 🙂

I can never figure out why on earth flatbread is so darned expensive in my area! It’s a basic bread. If you have a Middle Eastern or Indian restaurant in your area, call them up and see if they’ll sell you some at a decent price. They were $4.99 for six at my store. If you love making bread, it’s a pittance to make your own.

Home Style Chicken Shawarma

Home Style Chicken Shawarma

Print

Home Style Chicken Shawarma

  • Author: mollie kirby adapted from Chef Yotam_Ottolenghi
  • Total Time: 30 minutes plus marinade
  • Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish Poultry
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/2 pounds of boneless chicken breasts, sliced horizontally or boneless thighs
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons of lemon juice or white vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed & minced
  • a 1” piece of 1″ ginger grated, about a generous tablespoon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Ras El Hanout
  • 1 tablespoon ground sumac
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander or cardamom
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons roughly chopped cilantro
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 to 12 flatbreads or pitas

Instructions

First, make the marinade and marinate the chicken:

Combine the lemon juice, garlic, ginger, salt & pepper in a large bowl. Dry-fry the remaining spices on medium heat until their aroma is released and then add these to the bowl along with the cilantro and olive oil.

Pat dry the chicken pieces and place them in the marinade. along. Massage the mixture into the chicken well, cover the bowl and leave in the fridge to marinate for anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 to 3 days.

If cooking on a Stovetop Griddle:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place a large ridged griddle pan on high heat. Once red hot, cook the chicken pieces for 3 minutes on each side until nice and brown. Transfer to an oven tray to cook the meat through in the oven; about 6 minutes. Allow to rest for a few minutes before cutting the chicken into thin slices or chunks. Any remaining juices from the pan can be drizzled over the meat.

If using a Gas Grill:

Preheat grill gas grill to medium-high. Check by the hand method. Hold your hand three inches above the grate. If you can hold it there for only two to three seconds before it becomes so uncomfortable you have to move it, your temperature is right. Turn one of the burners to low.

If using Charcoal, set up a two-level fire. When grill is at medium-high heat, check by the hand method. Hold your hand three inches above the grate. If you can hold it there for only two to three seconds before it becomes so uncomfortable you have to move it, your temperature is right.

For both Grills:

Place chicken pieces over the hottest part of the grill, turning each piece as it becomes browned and has good markings. They’ll cook through quickly so keep monitoring. As each is turned, place it on an area that’s just a little cooler to finish off.

For the Oven Method:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a rimmed sheet pan. Add the chicken, spreading everything evenly across it. Put the chicken in the oven and roast until it is browned, crisp at the edges and cooked through, about 20 to 30 minutes. Watch closely and check several times. Remove from the oven, allow to rest 2 minutes, then slice into thin slices or bits.

To Prepare the Flatbread:

Wipe pan or scrape grill clean. Spray or drizzle each flatbread with a little water and place water side down in the pan, on the grill or on the oven rack. Heat for one to two minutes and turn. Wrap in a clean towel to keep warm for serving.

Notes: If you cannot get Ras el Hanout and don’t wish to make it, for a shortcut spicing, do not add any of the above spices, instead use:

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne

Keywords: Chicken, Chicken Breast, Middle Eastern, Ottolenghi, Pita, Ras el Hanout, Sandwiches, Shawarma, sheet tray.

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I’ll be sharing my Home Style Chicken Shawarma at Fiesta Friday #240. The co-hosts this week are Deb @ Pantry Portfolio and Laurena @ Life Diet Health. Stop by and check out Fiesta Friday – it’s where so many great bloggers share their recipes weekly and you’re bound to find a lot of inspiration and something to cook! So funny, Deb’s latest post is for a Garlicky Hummus and Laurena’s for a Warming Spicy Lentil Dal. No, it’s not a conspiracy! We just all picked Middle Eastern Recipes this week! Perfect for fall days!

I’m sharing, also, at Fern’s site, The Lazy Gastronome on her weekly Link Up, What’s for Dinner?

Ditch the finicky methods & have Home Style Chicken Shawarma with all the exotic flavor of the restaurant version. It's easier than you think! #ChickenShawarma #HomeStyleChickenShawarma #ChickenShawarmaGrilled #ChickenShawarmaBaked

51 thoughts on “Home Style Chicken Shawarma

  1. Leah Saks

    Wow! At last I have found the winning recipe for shawarma!!! Ive been making shawarma for over 15 years and have tried various recipes. I must say that this tops all others shawarma recipes!!! It is absolutely perfect

    • FrugalHausfrau

      Hi Leah, thanks for taking the time to stop back and comment – you made my day! Or I guess I should say night, lol!! I’m so glad to hear you liked it! 🙂

      Mollie

  2. Amy Wendlandt

    Hi there. Spice your life in Minnesota have all those spices for sale and deliver as well check out their website! awesome olive oils and vinegars

    • FrugalHausfrau

      Hi Amy, I have already checked out their website!! I’m on the east side! But this will def be worth the trip for me!!

    • FrugalHausfrau

      Hi Vanessa, that’s a great question and I’m going to modify my Ras el Hanout post to add in ways to use it!! Silly I didn’t do that b/4, but since I won’t get to that right away, it’s great sprinkled on chicken, any kind, especially grilled. It has a Middle Eastern/African vibe so it goes well in meatballs or kofka, the skewered meat, lentils, couscous, chickpeas, hummus and I like it on my avocado toast or my newest fave hummus toast. It’s great sprinkled over pita bread, just brush with oil, sprinkle and either cut it up for pita chips and bake it or just warm it through if serving for bread. Add some to cream cheese for bagels.

      So often, once I have a spice mix, as I’m making myself something or cooking and open my spice cupboard and see it, I get inspired and some of my fave “non recipe” things I make have come about that way.

    • FrugalHausfrau

      Thanks Suzanne, we don’t always go all out with all the sides and sauces, but whether we do or not, it’s really become a family favorite!

    • FrugalHausfrau

      I forgot to mention how much I love your site! I haven’t ordered your product yet, but I enjoy your articles and always get inspired. Fresh & Clean!! I shared you site on my FB, too. 🙂

  3. FrugalHausfrau

    I just now saw your comment, Elaine! I think a veggie version using zucchini and summer squash would be so good! I don’t know why but the spices just seem like they’d meld so good with squashes!

  4. Oh my gosh Mollie! Would you believe that I actually ordered shawarma for the boys last night! Do you think this would work with lamb too? I’d be Wife & Mum of the year if I could pull that off! 😛 Your tips on pronunciation made me giggle – you should have heard me last night and hubby correcting me in proper arabic!!! Thanks so much for linking up and bringing this over to Fiesta Friday – definitely one to make very soon! 😀

    • FrugalHausfrau

      Too cute!! I cannot tell you how marvelous this would be with lamb!! I’m just about drooling with the thought of it!

  5. If you only knew how much I crave for shawarma these days. Oh, not days – months!!! I’ve always wanted to make my own, but I can be lazy, too. 😀 So maybe you could make another batch for me??

  6. Hi Mollie– high praise indeed– “Hands down, one of my favorite dishes of all time.” !!! How can we not make it??! And thanks for the spic short cut. i am sort of a lazy cook and this looks more manageable, things I have in my cupboard. Love your adventuresome cooking– taking us to new places we wouldn’t have gone!! You’re terrific Mollie! xox

    • FrugalHausfrau

      Wow, thanks!! I just read that some people just use garam masala instead, so that might be an easy find. I figure I can get a “taste” of far flung lands through food, even if I can’t go there. I think I really started getting adventurous when the kids were in school. For every country they studied, I tried to find recipes to kind of reinforce the learning. 🙂

    • FrugalHausfrau

      Would you believe I had a late meeting yesterday and decided to stop and grab something to eat – there was a new fast casual Middle Eastern place that opened near me – oh gosh, I ordered the Shawarma!! (Mine was better, lol!! But I didn’t tell them that!)

      • Em

        This looks wonderful; going to try it next week 🤗 What temperature setting would you use for the oven method? Unfortunately I don’t have a grill or griddle.

          • em

            Thank you so much Mollie! I wasn’t able to find sumac, so I substituted lemon zest and it still turned out WONDERFUL! It will definitely be included in our regular rotation from now on.

            • FrugalHausfrau

              Good morning, Em. I’m so glad you enjoyed it and stopped back to comment! You made my day (that and we actually have sunshine!). I love your idea of using a little lemon zest instead of the sumac!! That was inspired!! And it might help out someone else, too! Have a wonderful day!!

  7. I’m glad you gave that spice blend alternative, because I’m not sure where Id find some of the ones you listed in the recipe – although I’m sure it’d be a fun adventure hunting them down. I love anything with cardamom in it.

    • FrugalHausfrau

      Hi Jeff, it’s not easy to find spices all the time depending on where you live. I went through withdrawal when helping my folks out in South Dakota. I’d stock up on stuff when I came back to the twin cities.

      I remember the first time I tried cardamom – it was in a Swedish cookie and it really took me back a bit! It’s so distinctive.

  8. Ron

    We do have a rotisserie, so I’ll be giving this a try. I’ll be using “Chicken Steak”, it’s a de-boned chicken hind quarter. Zhoug or zhug as we call it here, is one spicy condiment and one I love. It’s fantastic to dip your falafels in. Nice post.

    • FrugalHausfrau

      Thanks Ron! I’d love to hear how it turns out on a rotisserie. I actually considered buying one but I just know I would hate cleaning it!!

    • FrugalHausfrau

      I so lucked out on the Sumac. I walked into a store with my friend, sure I’d have to search for it and not sure if it was there. The store had half an aisle of different brands on spice racks and I just walked over and BAM it was right in front of my nose. I swear buying spices drives me crazy…they’re supposed to be alphabetical but usually they’re half mixed up.

      • I have SO many spices and yet I’m constantly running across ones that I need but don’t have yet. Maybe I should just cook Canadian/American recipes … nah, that would be boring. 🙂

  9. Tweety

    Hey Mollie your home style chicken shawarma was amazing! The chicken was marinated and grilled just right. I am definitely going to have to make this myself!😊☺

    • FrugalHausfrau

      Tweety, I’m so glad you were here with me! It made it a lot more fun! I did do a little tweaking on the sauces today, too, so they have even more flavor. Let me know if you want to make it, I’ll give you some of my spices for it.

    • Tweety

      Yeah me too i really enjoyed myself and had fun! O yeah can’t wait to try it. okay thank u and i will definitely let u know!

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