Lebanese Chicken Shawarma

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Lebanese Chicken Shawarma is an easy and flavorful meal. A classic Middle Eastern recipe, tender chicken is marinated, seared and cooked to perfection, then served with pita bread, veggie toppings, and a garlic mayo sauce. You can’t beat this healthy family favorite recipe.

Chicken shawarma recipe Lebanese street food.

Lebanese Chicken shawarma is one of my absolute favorite Middle Eastern street foods. Just a handful of everyday spices, garlic, a splash of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar and olive oil transforms into the most incredible flavor .

What is Shawarma? 

Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern street food that is made with very thin slices of meat, stacked in a cone-like shape, and roasted on a slowly-turning vertical spit. These thin slices of meat are then shaved and served on pita bread wraps. Shawarma can be made with lamb, beef or chicken. 

Lebanese Chicken Shawarma Spices: 

Chicken shawarma spices can be found pre-mixed at any Middle Eastern grocery store or online, but is also very simple to make at home. You will need; garlic power, cardamom, black pepper, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, sumac (if available) and salt.

Lebanese Chicken Shawarma Marinade: 

The marinade for this shawarma recipe is made with all the chicken shawarma spices mixed well together with olive oil and apple cider vinegar or lemon juice before adding and coating the chicken strips. It is always a good idea to let the chicken marinade for at least an hour and up to 24 hours in the fridge. This will help add flavor and results in the most tender chicken. 

Lebanese Chicken shawarma recipe with the best chicken marinade.

How to Make Lebanese Chicken Shawarma:

Although this chicken shawarma recipe is not roasted on a spit like the restaurant style ones, I find that cooking the chicken on the stove top using a non-stick grill pan is a perfect alternative. 

  • Cut the chicken into thin strips and set aside. 
  • In a large bowl, add the marinade ingredients : olive oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, cardamom, paprika, cumin, sumac and cinnamon; and whisk well to combine. 
  • Add the chicken strips into the marinade and stir well until all the chicken are  evenly coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least an hour or up to 24 hours.
shawarma chicken

To Make the Garlic Mayo Sauce for Homemade Chicken Shawarma: 

I have not had success making homemade Lebanese garlic sauce, “yet”. So, I serve my shawarma wrap with a delicious and simple garlic mayo sauce. To make the garlic mayo sauce: In a small bowl, add 1 crushed garlic clove, a pinch of salt, add 1 cup of mayo, thin with a few tablespoons of water and mix well until combined. 

shawarma wrap

Looking for More Lebanese Dishes: 

Chicken Tawook

Lebanese Chicken and Rice

Tabbouleh Salad Recipe

Fattoush Salad

If you like this easy Lebanese Chicken Shawarma recipe or any other recipe on The Salt and Sweet Kitchen, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! You can also follow and tag me on my Instagram page! 

Homemade Chicken Shawarma 

shawarma chicken sandwich

Lebanese Chicken Shawarma

Yield: 4-6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes

Just a handful of everyday spices, garlic, a splash of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar and olive oil transforms into the most incredible flavor for this Lebanese Chicken Shawarma.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb chicken breast tenderloins. 

Marinade

  • 1/4 cup olive oil 
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon sumac- if available 
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
  • 1-2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika 
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

    1. Cut the chicken into thin strips and set aside. 
    2. In a large bowl, add the marinade ingredients : olive oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, cardamom, paprika, cumin, sumac and cinnamon; and whisk well to combine. 
    3. Add the chicken strips into the marinade and stir well until all the chicken are  evenly coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least an hour or up to 24 hours.
    4. Place your grill skillet or any heavy based pan on medium high heat, add and the chicken in a single layer (make sure not to overcrowd the pan).
    5. Cook on one side for about 5-8 minutes, using a pair of tongs flip the chicken and cook for another 5-8 minutes or until cooked through. 
    6. Serve with rice or in a pita with tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, pickles, air fried fries and garlic sauce, mayonnaise or tahini sauce.
    7. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 337Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 129mgSodium: 825mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 47g

Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.

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16 Comments

  1. I tried this delicious recipe today and loved every bite. thank you for sharing this keeper.

  2. I went and got sumac just for this recipe and am so glad I did! What a flavor-packed recipe this is. And SUPER easy! Thanks.

  3. The flavors of this shawarma remind me so much of the one from a place I used to go to with my husband back in my hometown– so on point, thank you so much for sharing this recipe!

  4. This chicken shawarma was such a flavorful and hearty dinner! The bold flavors and spices were my favorite.

  5. I made this chicken shawarma this evening and it turned out so good!!! Everyone loved it and the homemade garlic mayo is what made it just wow!

  6. Can I freeze uncooked chicken shawarma? I made your recipe today and it was delicious. Got some leftovers that I’m hoping to freeze. Thanks

    1. You sure can! I always stick any left over shawarma- cooked or uncooked in the freezer. They should stay good for 3-4 months!

  7. I was so excited to find chicken shawarma spice mix at my Middle Eastern store. I followed your recipe, and we all enjoyed it so much. Loved that you grill the shawarma sandwich a bit! Great touch.

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