Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe Ready in Under 40 Minutes
Easy Chicken Shawarma is a quick, delicious meal ready in under 40 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to crispy edges and juicy chicken. The warm spices and tangy yogurt sauce make this better than takeout. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Greek Grain Bowl with Halloumi and Zucchini Crisps and Fresh Strawberry Salsa Stuffed Avocados Recipe.
Why This Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe Ready in Under 40 Minutes Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy edges and juicy chicken
- Warm spices and tangy sauce
- Ready in under 40 minutes
- Better than takeout
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.
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Diced tomatoes
- Optional: Sliced red onions
- Optional: Lemon wedges
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: You can also use chicken thighs.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat for perfect searing → See on Amazon
- Immersion blender — Easy sauce blending without mess → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe Ready in Under 40 Minutes
- Prepare chicken: Slice chicken breasts into thin strips. In a bowl, combine olive oil, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, and spices. Add chicken strips, coat well, and marinate for 15 minutes.
- Cook chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and cook until browned and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until cooked through.
- Prepare sauce: In a bowl, mix 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, and salt to taste. Blend until smooth.
- Serve: Serve chicken shawarma with sauce and desired toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe Ready in Under 40 Minutes
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken. Cook in batches if needed to prevent steaming.
- Tip: For extra crispy edges, let the chicken cook undisturbed for a few minutes before flipping.
- Tip: Make the sauce ahead of time and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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 an airtight container for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Cook just before serving.
Freezing Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe Ready in Under 40 Minutes
Freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier sauce, add more cayenne pepper.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs for even more flavor.
- Make-ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
- Troubleshooting: If chicken is not browning, increase heat and make sure pan is dry.
Want to level up this recipe?
Meat 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
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced red onions
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare chicken: Slice chicken breasts into thin strips. In a bowl, combine olive oil, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, and spices. Add chicken strips, coat well, and marinate for 15 minutes.
- Cook chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and cook until browned and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until cooked through.
- Prepare sauce: In a bowl, mix 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, and salt to taste. Blend until smooth.
- Serve: Serve chicken shawarma with sauce and desired toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier sauce, add more cayenne pepper.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs for even more flavor.
- Make-ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
- Troubleshooting: If chicken is not browning, increase heat and make sure pan is dry.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Cook just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sat. Fat: 3.5g
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 chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Cook just before serving.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F.
Yes, cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
You can use sour cream or mayonnaise as a substitute.
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free. Be sure to check labels on any store-bought ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free.
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!
